[32] Not only the houses,âtakamâlâ therefore, are meant, but also the (female) attendance; in other words, the epithet is indicative of the richness and magnificence of the habitations.
'Moreover, great king, you must but consider this:
19. 'How can the eye of one person be put in the face of another? If, however, divine power may effect this, why should your eye be wanted for it?
20. 'Of what use is eyesight to a poor man? That he might witness the abundance of others? Well then, give him money; do not commit an act of rashness!'
Then the king addressed his ministers in soft and conciliating terms:
21. 'He who after promising to give, makes up his mind to withhold his gift, such a one puts on again the bond of cupidity which he had cast off before.
22. 'He who after promising to give, does not keep his promise, being driven from his resolution by avarice, should he not be held for the worst of men?
23. 'He who, having strengthened the hope of the mendicants by engaging himself to give, pays them with the harsh disappointment of a refusal, for him there is no expiation.
'And with respect to your asserting "is divine power of itself not sufficient to restore the eyesight to that man?" you should be taught this.
24. 'That different means are wanted to carry out purposes, is well known, indeed. For this reason even Destiny (Vidhi), though a deity, needs some means or other.
'Therefore, you must not exert yourselves to obstruct my determination to accomplish an extraordinary deed of charity.'
The ministers answered: 'We have only ventured to observe to Your Majesty that you ought to give away goods and grains and jewels, not your eye; when saying this, we do not entice Your Majesty to wickedness.'
25. 'The very thing asked for must be given. A gift not wished for does not afford pleasure. Of what use is water to one carried off by the stream? For this reason, I shall give to this man the object he requests.'
After this, the first minister who more than the others had got into the intimate confidence of the king, overlooking, owing to his solicitude, the respect due to the king, spoke thus: 'Pray, do it not.
26. 'You are holding an empire, which is vying with the riches of _S_akra, to the attainment of which no one can aspire without a large amount of penance and meditation, and the possession of which may pave with numerous sacrifices the way to glory and Heaven; and you care not for it! and you are willing to give away both your eyes! With what aim do you wish so? Where on earth has there been seen such a way of proceeding?