42. Lecture 8, Lesson 2

1Whatever different seats and couches have been told, whatever have been used by the great Hero, these resting-places are thus detailed[1]. (1)

2He sometimes lodged in workṣops, assembling-places, wells, or shops; sometimes in manufactories or under a shed of straw. (2)

3He sometimes lodged in travellers' halls, garden-houses, or towns; sometimes on a burying-ground, in relinquished houses, or at the foot of a tree. (3)

4In these places was the wise Śramaṇa for thirteen long years; he meditated day and night, exerting himself, undisturbed, strenuously. (4)

5The Venerable One, exerting himself, did not seek sleep for the sake of pleasure; he waked up himself, and slept only a little, free from desires. (5)

6Waking up again, the Venerable One lay down, exerting himself; going outside for once in a night, he walked about for an hour. (6)

7In his resting-places he sustained fearful and manifold calamities; crawling or flying animals attack him. (7)

8Bad people, the guard of the village, or lance-bearers attack him; or there were domestic temptations, single women or men; (8)

9Fearful and manifold (calamities) of this and the next world; pleasant and unpleasant smells, and manifold sounds: (9)

10Always well controlled, he bore the different sorts of feelings; overcoming carelessness and pleasure, the Brāhmaṇa wandered about, speaking but little. (10)

11In the resting-places there once, in a night, the single wanderers asked him (who he was, and why he was there); as he did not answer, they treated him badly; but he persevered in his meditations, free from resentment. (11)

12(Sometimes to avoid greater troubles when asked), ‘Who is there within?’ he answered, ‘It is I, a mendicant.’ But this is the best law: silently to meditate, even if badly treated. (12)

13When a cold wind blows, in which some feel pain, then some houseless monks in the cold rain seek a place sheltered from the wind. (13)

14(Some heretical monks say), ‘We shall put on more clothes; kindling wood or (well) covered, we shall be able (to bear) the very painful influence of the cold.’ (14)

15But the Venerable One desired nothing of the kind; strong in control, he suffered, despising all shelter. Going outside once of a night, the Venerable One was able (to endure all hardships) in calmness. (15)

16This is the rule which has often been followed by the wise Brāhmaṇa, the Venerable One, who is free from attachment: thus proceed (the monks).

17Śīlāṅka remarks: 'This verse has not been explained by the author of the old ṭīkā. Why? Either because it offers no difficulty, or because it was wanting. Yet it is found in the MSS. of the text alone. We do not exactly know the reason.' Which old ṭīkā is meant by Śīlāṅka we cannot tell with certainty. It scarcely can be the Cūrṇi, for in the Bombay MS. of it the text of the verse in question is giver, but no explanation beyond the words: esā pucchā, this is (given as an answer to) a question.