Note 6 — Chapter LXXIV

Then those gamblers, having lost their wealth, were preparing to go home, when Bhímabhaṭa set his arms against the door and stopped them, and said to them, “Where are you going? Take back this wealth; I do not want it. I must give it away to my friends, and are not you my friends? Where can I find6 such dear friends as you?” When he said this, and they declined to take the money out of shame, a gambler there, of the name of Akshakshapaṇaka, said, “Undoubtedly it is the definition of gambling that what is won is not returned, but if this gentleman becomes our friend, and gives us of his own accord wealth which he has fairly won, why should we not take it?” The others, when they heard this, exclaimed, “It is fitting, if he makes such an eternal friendship with us.” When they said this, he came to the conclusion that they were men of spirit, and he at once consented to swear eternal friendship to them, and gave them back their wealth. And at their request he went into a garden with them and their families, and refreshed himself with food, and wine, and other luxuries, supplied by them. Then, at the request of Akshakshapaṇaka and the others, he told his name, race, and history, and asked them also for theirs. Then Akshakshapaṇaka told him the story of his life.