The moon traversing the heavens, where is its companion?
The mighty king of beasts, with its powerful fangs,
And the fire that consumes the forest, where are their companions?
For those like us, what need is there of a companion’s strength?
Into the water of the great ocean should one not plunge?
Is there a snakebite that can in no way be cured?
One should cultivate enormous energy that mighty beings witness,
And if, despite the efforts made, one does not succeed, what fault is there?
“The Story of Prince Súdhana,” The Heavenly Exploits: Buddhist Biographies from the Divyavadana (Clay Sanskrit Library)
