Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

LUST. 153
repentance and prostrated himself before Buddha, after
which, persevering in the way of purity, he soon became
a Eahat.
4. In days of old when Buddha was residing at the Jetavana
Vih§,ra, near Srslvasti, preaching his law for the
sake of Devas and men (N^as and demons), there was at
this time a certain rich householder who had but one son,
a youth of about twelve or thirteen years of age. This
boy's father and mother having died, and he not being
acquainted with the rules of economising his expenses,
began to lavish his money on himself and others, till he
soon came to beggary and want. Now the lad's father
had a certain relative who also was very rich; this man
one day seeing the sad condition of the youth, had compassion
on hiin, and took him to his own house, and
finally provided him with an establishment of his own,
with a wife, slaves, horses, and chariots. But notwith-
standing his former experience, the young man again gave
way to extravagance, and was again reduced to poverty,
and notwithstanding the repeated help of his kinsman
and patron he was ever thus. At length his relative, tired
out, sent for the wife of the man, and told her that she
had better seek another home, and find some one who
could protect and provide for her in a respectable way.
On hearing this she returned to her master and said, " My
lord, you seem unable to provide for our wants, let me ask
you what you intend to do, for it behoves me to seek
another home, if there is no provision here for me." On
hearing this the man was filled with shame and disap-
pointment, and thought thus with himself— " I am indeed
a miserable and unhappy man, not knowing how to manage
my affairs ; and now I am going to lose my wife, and to
be left to beg again." Thinking" thus, and excited by
recollection of past pleasures and passion, he resolved
wickedly to put an end to his wife, and afterwards to kUl
himself. Taking the woman, therefore, into the inner
apartments, he at once told her his intention to die with