[57] Strength of mind,âtakamâlâ constancy, earnestness, wisdom and virtue are all implied by the Buddhistic term dhîra; its opposite, adhîra, denotes therefore those who possess the opposed qualities, the 'fickle-minded.'
35. 'What a contrast between the animal species, which he belongs to, and the loftiness of his self-sacrifice, the sharpness of his mind! Indeed, he confounds all such as are slow in striving for meritorious actions, deities as well as men.
36. 'Oh, how his mind is impregnated with the fragrance of a constant practice of virtues! How he loves good conduct, as he manifested by his sublime deed!'
Then, in order to glorify that extraordinary fact, and having in view the good of the world, _S_akra adorned with the image of the hare as a distinctive mark both peaks on the top of the belvederes--one on his most excellent palace Vai_g_ayanta and the other on Sudharmâ, the hall of the Devas--and likewise the disc of the moon.
37, 38. At full-moon even now that image of the hare (_s_a_s_a) appears in the moon's disc in the sky, as a reflected image shines in a silver mirror. From that time onward _K_andra (the Moon), named also the Ornament of the Night and the Cause of the Brilliancy of the Night-waterlilies, is famous in the world as the Hare-marked (_S_a_s_âṅka).
And the others, the otter, the jackal, and the ape, disappeared thereafter (from the earth) and arrived in the world of the Devas, thanks to their possessing such a holy friend.
So then the practice of charity according to their power by Great Beings, even when in the state of beasts, is a demonstrated fact; who, then, being a man, should not be charitable? [Moreover, this too is to be propounded: 'Even beasts are honoured by the pious for their attachment to virtues; for this reason one must be intent on virtues.']
(Comp. the Pâli _G_âtaka, No. 480, Fausb. IV, 236-242; and _K_ariyâpi_t_aka I, 1.)
A heroic practice of liberality is an ornament even to ascetics, how much more to householders; as is taught by the following.
In the time, when our Lord, still being a Bodhisattva, was moving on his road through Sa_m_sâra for the good of the world, he was born of an illustrious family of Brâhmans, which being distinguished by great purity of conduct might pass for an ornament of the earth. His birth enhanced the lustre of this family in the same way as the moon rising in autumn with full and spotless orb, beautifies the firmament. He had in due order obtained the different sacraments ordained by the sacred texts and the tradition: _g_âtakarma and the rest; he had studied the Vedas with their Aṅgas and the whole ritual, and the fame of his learning filled the world of men. By the large gifts which he received, begging from charitable people who were lovers of virtues, he amassed considerable wealth.