The Buddha-Carita or The Life of Buddha by Ven. Aśvaghoṣa

Buddha-carita, or The Life of Buddha - 147
ida me matamāścarya nave vayasi yadbhavān |
abhuktveva śriya prāptaḥ sthito viṣayagocare || 12.8
8. ‘But this is to me indeed a marvel that thou art come hither in life’s fresh prime, set
in the open field of the world’s enjoyments, ere thou hast as yet tasted of their
happiness.
tadvijñātumima dharma parama bhājana bhavān |
jñānapūrvamadhiṣṭhāya śīghra duḥkhārṇava tara || 12.9
9. ‘Verily thou art a worthy vessel to receive this highest religion; having mastered it
with full knowledge, cross at once over the sea of misery.
śiṣye yadyapi vijñāte śāstra kālena vartate |
gābhīryādvyavasāyācca suparīkṣyo bhavān mama || 12.10
10. ‘Though the doctrine is generally efficient only after a time, when the student has
been thoroughly tested, thou art easy for me to examine from thy depth of character
and determination.’
iti vākyamarāḍasya vijñāya sa narādhipaḥ |
babhūva paramaprītaḥ provācottarameva ca || 12.11
11. The prince, having heard these words of Arāḍa, was filled with great pleasure and
thus made reply:
viraktasyāpi yadida saumukhya bhavataḥ param |
aktārtho ’pyanenāsmi ktārtha iva saprati || 12.12
12. ‘This extreme kindliness which thou showest to me, calmly passionless as thou art,
makes me, imperfect as I am, seem even already to have attained perfection.
didkṣuriva hi jyotiryiyāsuriva daiśikam |
tvaddarśanādaha manye titīrṣuriva ca plavam || 12.13
13. ‘I feel at the sight of thee like one longing to see who finds a light, — like one
wishing to journey, a guide, — or like one wishing to cross, a boat.
tasmādarhasi tadvaktu vaktavya yadi manyase |
jarāmaraṇarogebhyo yathāya parimucyate || 12.14
14. ‘Wilt thou therefore deign to tell me that secret, if thou thinkest it should be told,
whereby thy servant may be delivered from old age, death, and disease.’