Then _S_akra, the Lord of the Devas, approved his words, saying, 'Well spoken,' and as he was propitiated by the greatness of mind of those _Ri_shis, he confessed that he himself had committed the theft. 29, 30. 'A high opinion of virtue may be tested by trial. Thus considering, I hid the lotus-stalks in order to try you. And now, how fortunate is the world in that it possesses such Munis as you, whose glory is tested by fact. And thou, here, take these lotus-stalks, as a proof of a constant holy behaviour.' With these words he handed the stalks over to the Bodhisattva. But the Bodhisattva reproved his unbecoming and audacious way of proceeding in terms though modest, yet expressive of noble self-esteem. 31. 'We are no kinsfolk of thine, nor thy comrades, nor are we thy actors or buffoons. What, then, is the reason for thy coming here, Lord of the Devas, to play with _Ri_shis in this manner?' At these words _S_akra, the Lord of the Devas, hastily divested himself of his divine appearance, brilliant with his ear-rings, his head-ornament, and his lightning, and respectfully bowing to the Bodhisattva, spoke thus in order to appease him: 32. 'O thou who art free from all selfishness, deign to forgive me the thoughtless deed I did with the aforesaid purpose; pardon it like a father, like a teacher! 33. 'It is proper, indeed, to those whose eyes are not yet opened to wisdom, to offend against others, be they even their equals. Likewise it is proper to (the wise) who know the Self, to pardon such offences. Also for this reason, pray do not feel anger in thy heart concerning that deed!' Having thus appeased him, _S_akra disappeared on the spot. * * * * * In this manner, then, those who have learnt to appreciate the happiness of detachment are hostile to worldly pleasures; they will oppose them like one opposes a deception, an injury[150]. [150] In the original some lines follow here, bracketed by the editor. No doubt, we have here an interpolation, as is also indicated by its very collocation after the ethical maxim which must be the final part of our tale. This is its translation: 'And this _g_âtaka has thus been explained by the Lord: 34-36. "I, the son of _S_âradvatî [viz. _S_âriputra], Maudgalyâyana, Kâ_s_yapa, Pûr_n_a, Aniruddha, and Ânanda, we were the brothers of that time. Utpalâvar_n_â was the sister and Kub_g_ottarâ was the maid-servant. _K_itra the householder was then the male slave, Sâtâgiri the Yaksha, Pârileya the elephant, Madhudâtar the monkey, Kâlodâyin the _S_akra of that time. Retain well this _g_âtaka thus explained."' Almost the same verses and names are found in the conclusion of this story in the Pâli _G_âtaka. XX. THE STORY OF THE TREASURER. (Cp. Pâli _G_âtaka, No. 171, Fausb. II, 64, 65.)