The âtakamâlâstory of Maitrîbala is not met with in the _K_ariyâpi_t_aka nor in the five volumes of the Pâli _G_âtaka, which have appeared up to date; it will probably be found in the part not yet published. Something like it is told in the ninety-first pallava of Kshemendra's Avadânakalpalatâ. There a king of the _S_ibis gives up his flesh and blood in order to obtain a sûkta or well-said sentence[77]. This tale, however, is not yet printed, nor may we expect it soon to be so. But in another part of that poem, already published, I have met with the story of king Ma_n_i_k_û_d_a, which bears in many respects a striking resemblance to ours. See 3, 56 foll.
[77] Somendra in his introductory _s_lokas describes the ninety-first story thus: svamâ_m_sâs_ri_kpradânena ya_h_ _S_ibi_h_ sûktam agrahît (_s_l. 36).
The mean-spirited are not even capable of approving the behaviour of the Bodhisattva, how much less can they act after it. This will be taught by the following.
Once the _S_ibis were ruled by a king named Sa_mg_aya, who performed his royal duties in the right manner. Having entirely subdued his organs of sense, and possessing in a high degree the virtues of valour, discretion, and modesty, he was victorious and mighty. Thanks to the constant and strict observance he paid to the elders, he had mastered the essential contents of the three Vedas (trayî) and of metaphysics. His good administration of justice was praised by his affectionate subjects, who loved the exercise of their different trades and duties, and enjoyed the benefits of security and peace.
1. By the progress of his virtues he had gained the affection of Royal Felicity, who, like an honest woman, was faithful to him, not to be thought of by the other monarchs; just as a den kept by a lion is inaccessible to other animals.
2. All such men as spent their labours in any kind of penance, science or art, used to come up to him, and if they proved their merit, they obtained distinguished honour from him.
Next to him in dignity, but not his inferior by a famous set of virtues, his son Vi_s_vantara held the rank of heir-apparent.
3. Though a youth, he possessed the lovely placidity of mind proper to old age; though he was full of ardour, his natural disposition was inclined to forbearance; though learned, he was free from the conceit of knowledge; though mighty and illustrious, he was void of pride.