12. 'The violence of the wind, too, blowing down peaks of mountains, dispersing masses of clouds, rolling and stirring up the waves of the ocean, becomes extinguished. 13. 'With high and blazing flame sparkling about, the fire destroys the grass, then it abates and ceases. By turns the different beauties of the groves and forests appear and disappear, as time goes on. 14. 'What union does there exist which has not its end in separation? what felicity which is not liable to mishap[239]? Since inconstancy, then, is proper to the course of worldly things, that mirth of the multitude is a very thoughtless one.' [239] This sentence is expressed in a similar way in a _s_loka, recurring several times in Divyâvadâna (ed. Cowell, p. 27; 100; 486): sarve kshayântâ ni_k_ayâ_h_ patanântâ_h_ samu_kkh_rayâ_h_ sa_m_yogâ viprayogântâ mara_n_ânta_m_ _k_a _g_îvitam. Cp. also supra, Story VI, stanza 7. In this manner the High-minded One reasoned within himself. Utterly touched with emotion, his heart became averse to that rejoicing and festival mirth; he paid no longer attention to the groups of people, however picturesque, flocking to embellish the capital. In this disposition of mind he perceived that he had already returned to his palace. His emotion increased still by this, and considering that there is no other refuge but Righteousness, since it is unconcerned with sensual pleasures, he made up his mind to embrace the state of a virtuous life. At the first opportunity he visited the king, his father, and with folded hands asked leave to set out for the penance-forest. 15. 'By taking the vow of world-renunciation I wish to bring about the good of my Self, and I want your leave which I shall hold for a favour and a guidance to this (goal).' 16. On hearing this request of his well-beloved son, the king, as if he were an elephant wounded by an empoisoned arrow or a deep sea shaken by the wind, was seized with shivering, for his heart was sore through grief. 17. And desiring to withhold him, he embraced him affectionately, and in a faltering voice obstructed by his tears spoke: 'My son, why have you made up your mind to leave us so suddenly? 18. 'Who is that man who, being a cause of displeasure to you, causes his own ruin, rousing in this manner Death (against himself)? Say, whose relations have to wet their faces with tears of sorrow? 19. 'Or do you perhaps apprehend, or have you heard of, any improper act of mine? Then, tell it, that I may put an end to it. But I myself do not perceive anything of the kind.' The Bodhisattva spoke: 20. 'What improper act may be found in you, being thus intent to show me your affection? And who would be capable of assailing me with grief?' 'But why then do you want to leave us?' replied the king with tears. Then the Great Being answered: 'Because of the peril of death. Do but consider, Your Majesty.