“Of your great goodness, tell me in what way I can win over the Brahmans; for except you, my gracious lord, I have no other friend.”
“Hearken, O king, there are diverse expedients among men, but hard to put in practice and of doubtful issue. There is, however, one very simple plan, though even this involves a difficulty. Its contrivance depends upon me, and for me to go to your capital is out of the question; for to this day from the time I was born I have never entered house or village. If I do not go, it will be a misfortune for you; and thus I am in a dilemma.” The king replied in gentle tones:—“It is, my lord, a maxim of scripture that the great show kindness to the small; thus, mountains ever bear tiny grasses on their head; the fathomless ocean bears on its front the floating foam, and earth on its head bears the dust.”
“Hearken, O king, there are diverse expedients among men, but hard to put in practice and of doubtful issue. There is, however, one very simple plan, though even this involves a difficulty. Its contrivance depends upon me, and for me to go to your capital is out of the question; for to this day from the time I was born I have never entered house or village. If I do not go, it will be a misfortune for you; and thus I am in a dilemma.” The king replied in gentle tones:—“It is, my lord, a maxim of scripture that the great show kindness to the small; thus, mountains ever bear tiny grasses on their head; the fathomless ocean bears on its front the floating foam, and earth on its head bears the dust.”