Note 21 — Chapter LXXIII

“So those fortunate ones, whose characters are free from perturbation, and who betake themselves to patient endurance, obtain again their own rank, though they may have fallen far from it.21 And since you, Śrídarśana, are a man fated to be prosperous, being covered with auspicious marks, why do you, out of perturbation, allow yourself to go without food?” When Śrídarśana, who was fasting, was thus addressed in the gambling-hall by his friend Mukharaka, he said to him, “What you say, is true, but being a man of good family, I cannot for shame go out into this town, as I am reduced so low by gambling. So if you will permit me, my friend, to go to some other country this very night, I will take food.” When Mukharaka heard that, he consented, and brought food and gave it to him, and he ate it. And after Śrídarśana had eaten it, he set out for another country with that friend of his, who followed him out of affection.