The Kathá Sarit Ságara; or, Ocean of the Streams of Story

Then, on the next day, Naraváhanadatta’s friend Marubhúti said to him, when he was in the company of Alankáravatí—“See, king, this miserable dependent1 of yours remains clothed with one garment of leather, with matted hair, thin and dirty, and never leaves the royal gate, day or night, in cold or heat; so why do you not shew him favour at last? For it is better that a little should be given in time, than much when it is too late; so have mercy on him before he dies.” When Gomukha heard this, he said—“Marubhúti speaks well, but you, king, are not the least in fault in this matter; for until a suitor’s guilt, which stands in his way, is removed, a king, even though disposed to give, cannot give; but when a man’s guilt is effaced, a king gives, though strenuously dissuaded from doing so; this depends upon works in a previous state of existence. And à propos of this, I will tell you, O king, the story of Lakshadatta the king, and Labdhadatta the dependent; listen.”