27. 'The invaluable jewels of well-said sentences cannot be rewarded by any equivalent. But as a handful of flowers to worship thee, I gladly offer thee some boon for these too.' Then the Bodhisattva, in order to show that the virtuous are welcome in every circumstance, spoke: 28. 'May I see a wise man, and hear a wise man, dwell with such a one, _S_akra, and converse with such a one! This boon, best of the Devas, do grant me.' _S_akra said: 'Thou seemest, indeed, to be a warm partisan of the wise. Why, tell me then, 29. 'What have the wise done for thee? Say, Kâ_s_yapa, what is the reason that thou showest this rather foolish greediness for the sight of a wise man?' Then the Bodhisattva, in order to show him the magnanimity of the virtuous, spoke: 'Hearken, sir, for what reason my mind longs for the sight of a wise man. 30. 31. 'He walks in the path of virtue himself, and brings also others into that way, and words said for his good, even if they be harsh, do not rouse his impatience. Being adorned by uprightness and decency, it is always possible to make him accept what is said for his good. For this reason my mind, adhering to virtue, is inclined to the partisan of virtue.' Then _S_akra praised him, exclaiming: 'Well said! very excellent!' and with still increased satisfaction again summoned him to ask some boon. 32, 33. 'Surely, thou hast already obtained everything, since thou art wholly satisfied, yet thou shouldst take some boon from me, considering it as a means of gratifying me. For a favour offered out of reverence, from abundance of power, and with the hope of affording a benefit, becomes a cause of great pain, if not accepted.' Then the Bodhisattva, seeing his utmost desire for doing good, and wishing to please him and to benefit him, answered so as to declare to him the superiority of the strong desire of almsgiving. 34. 'May thy food, which is free from destruction and corruption, thy mind, which is lovely because of its practice of charity, and mendicants adorned by the pureness of their good conduct, be mine! This most blessed boon I ask.' _S_akra said: 'Thy Reverence is a mine of jewels of well-said sentences. Further, 35. 'Not only will everything thou hast requested be accomplished, but on account of this well-said sentence I give thee some other boon.' The Bodhisattva said: 36. 'If thou wilt give me a boon which incloses the highest favour for me, O most excellent of all Celestials, do not come to me again in this thy blazing splendour. For this boon I ask the destroyer of the Daityas.' Upon this _S_akra was somewhat irritated, and highly astonished he thus spoke to him: 'Do not speak so, sir. 37. 'By every kind of ritual: prayers, vows, sacrifices, with penances and toilsome exertions, people on earth seek to obtain the sight of me. But thou dost not desire so. For what reason then? I came up to thee, wishing to bestow my boons on thee.'