The Bhikṣuṇī Maṇimēkhalai

164 - The Prince pursues Maṇimēkhalai
‘You are descended from the great Cōḻa Karikāla, who, as a youth,
assumed the garb of age in order that he may do justice in a cause
brought up before the monarch. [121] Young as you are in age, are
you not ripe in wisdom? Is there anything that women can teach you?
There cannot be. Even so let me present unto you the following:–
“The human body is the product of action (Karma); is the source of
further action. If you remove that which is worn to decorate it, it will
show nothing but flesh. It is subject to age and decay. It is the seat of
disease. It is the cause of attachment to those that attach themselves to
things earthly. It is full of evil. Long-standing hatred lies hidden in it
as a poisonous cobra in its hole. It contains within itself the
consciousness which is subject to suffering in the present, to
helplessness to get out of it, to fainting in the effort to do so, and bitter
sorrow as a result thereof. Understand, therefore, oh, prince, this
indeed is the nature of a human being. Please turn aside from this,
your attachment to her.” ’
Before even these words could reach his ears, he saw within the
crystal chamber the form of Maṇimēkhalai.