69, 70. 'Sitting on a lower seat, which betokens illustrious modesty; enjoying the honey of the (sacred) words with eyes expanding from gladness, so to speak; bending one's mind calm and pure to the most intense reverential attention--in this way one must listen devoutly to the preaching of the Law, as a sick man to the words of a doctor.' Then the son of Sudâsa covered a slab of stone with his upper garment, and having offered this higher seat to the Bodhisattva, himself sat down on the naked earth before the visage of the Bodhisattva. After which, keeping his eyes fixed with attention on his face, he invited the Great Being: 'Speak now, sir[228].' Then the Bodhisattva opened his mouth and filling as it were the forest with his voice deep and sonorous, like the lovely sound of a new-formed rain-cloud, spoke: [228] This formula (brûhîdânî_m_ mârsha) and the whole of this ceremonial shows a striking likeness to the observances prescribed for the instruction in the Veda of a pupil by his spiritual teacher. 71. 'Meeting a virtuous person but once and by chance will suffice for Friendship strong and for ever, not wanting repeated assurance.' On hearing this gâthâ, the son of Sudâsa exclaimed, 'Well said! well said!' and nodding his head and waving his fingers said to the Bodhisattva: 'Go on, go on.' Then the Bodhisattva uttered the second gâthâ. 72. 'From virtuous persons thou shouldst never keep remote, But follow those; to worship them thyself devote. Their fragrance-spreading virtues uncompelled must Attain him who stands near them, as does flower-dust.' The son of Sudâsa spoke: 73. 'You employed your wealth in the right manner, indeed; rightly you did not mind trouble, that you did your utmost, O virtuous one, to reward well-said sentences! 'Go on, go on.' The Bodhisattva spoke: 74. 'The cars of kings, with jewels shining and with gold, With their possessors lose their beauty, growing old. But not to pious conduct has old age access. So strong a love of virtues pious men possess[229].' [229] Cp. Dhammapada, verse 151. (The other replied): 'This is as a shower of ambrosia, to be sure. O how great a satisfaction you give me! Go on, go on.' The Bodhisattva spoke: 75. 'How distant Earth from Heaven is, the East How far from Sunset, and both Ocean's shores From one another. Greater distance keeps Of virtue sever'd and of wrong the lores.' Then the son of Sudâsa, who in consequence of his gladness and surprise was filled with affection and reverence for the Bodhisattva, said to him: 76. 'Lovely are the gâthâs I heard from you. The elegance of their words is still surpassed by the brilliancy of their contents. By reciting them you have procured me gladness. Let me honour you in return by offering you four boons. 'Therefore, choose whatever you desire from my side.'