992 Pali Buddhistical Annals. [Dec. 



then prevalent, partake more largely of a fictitious character, than this 

 narrative of his death does. I have given a literal translation of the 

 most interesting passages, and a continuous precis of the rest of the 

 Suttan, adding a note from Buddha ghoso's Atlhakathd, wherever it 

 afforded the means of throwing additional light on the narrative of 

 the text. 



This is, I fear, my last contribution to your Journal. In a few days 

 I leave Randy for Colombo. The duties of my new office, and my 

 separation from the Buddhist pandits, and their libraries at this place, 

 will prevent, for some time at least, the further prosecution of this 

 examination. 



Kandy, October 18, 1838. 



The Mahdparinibbdna Suttan. The first Bhdnuioaro. 



The following was heard by myself. At a certain period, while Bhagawa' was 

 dwelling at the Gijjhakdto mountain, near Rdjagahan, the Mdgadha raja, Aja'ta- 

 sattu, a descendant of the Wedehi line, was meditating the subjugation of Wajji 

 (confederation)*. 



Thereupon the said Mdgadha monarch Aja'tasattu, the descendant of the 

 Wedehi princes, sent for the brahman Wassaka'ro, who was the prime minister 

 of Mdgadha, and said : I must utterly annihilate these Wajjians, who are thus 

 great (by their union among themselves), and powerful (by the efficiency of their 

 martial institutions) : I will destroy these Wajjians: I will utterly exterminate 

 these Wajjians. Brahman, come hither. Wherever Bhagawa' may be, thither 

 proceed ; and having found him, bow down with lowly reverence at the feet of 

 Bhagawa', on my behalf, and inquire whether, free from ailment and disquietude, 

 he is in the enjoyment of his energies and health. Moreover thus address him. 

 Lord ! the Mdgadha raja Aja'tasattu, the descendant of the Wedehi line, has 

 commanded me saying ; bow down in lowly reverence at the feet of Bhagawa', 

 and inquire whether, free from ailment and disquietude, he is in the enjoyment of 

 his energies and health. Lord ! the said Mdgadha raja Aja'tasattu, the descen- 

 dant of the Wedehi line, in his anxiety to subjugate the Wajjians, has vowed,— I 

 must annihilate these Wajjians, who are thus great and powerful. I will destroy 

 these Wajjians : I will utterly extirpate these Wajjians. Whatever Bhagawa' 

 may vouchsafe to reply, carefully retaining the same in thy mind, impart it to me : 

 the Tathagatha never spake an untruth. 



The brahman Wassakaro, the prime minister of Mag adha, having attentively 

 listened to the Mdgadha raja Aja'tasattu, the descendant of the Wedehi line, 

 replied : Be it so, lord ! and preparing superb conveyances, and mounting a magni- 

 ficent vehicle, surrounded by these superb conveyances, he departed from Hdjaga- 

 hdn. 



Wheresoever the Gijjhak&to mountain might be, thither he proceeded. Having 

 gone in his vehicle as far as he should go in a vehicle, then descending from his 

 conveyance, he approached the place where Bhagawa' was. Having approached 

 him ; he made his salutation to Bhagawa'. The prescribed salutations having 

 been made ; and having carefully called to his recollection all that he ought to 

 have borne in mind, he seated himself on one side of him. 



* These rajas or rulers were of the Lichchhawi dynasty ; the capital of whose 

 dominions called Wajji, was Wesdli (Allahabad). The union of the Wajjian states 

 is stated to have consisted of a confederation of chiefs, or princes. 



