1837.] Account of the Tooth relic of Ceylon, 863 



wild hunter So'nuttaro. He committed himself, when incarnated in the form 

 of a hare, to the fire, to supply roasted meat to Indra, disguised in the 

 character of a famished brahman. His sacrificing his eyes in the character of 

 the raja Si'wo, as an offering to Indra, who came disguised as a blind brahman. 

 His forbearance in the character of Ksantaw&di, a devotee, towards Kala'bo the 

 raja of Ka'si, who lopt off his arms and legs ; and other pious deeds of Buddho 

 in his former existences. 



(Translation resumed.) 



" ' By the truth of these declarations may the tooth relic of the vanquisher 

 instantly rising aloft into the air, effulgent as the halo of the sun, dispel the 

 doubt that exists in the mind of the people.' Instantly, the tooth relic of the 

 vanquisher, rising aloft into the air, like the silvery planet (the moon) shed its 

 effulgence all around. Then descending from its aerial altar, and alighting on 

 the head of the said Setthi rejoiced him, as the sincere votary bent in prayer 

 (rejoices) who is sprinkled with sacred water. The Nighantd, seeing this mira- 

 cle, thus addressed Pa'ndu the ruler of men. * Diivo ! this is the supernatural 

 wijjd power of this Setthi ; it is not the miraculous power of the tooth relic.' 

 The monarch, on hearing this remark of theirs, thus spoke to the Seithi, Subad- 

 dho : ' If there be any act which would convince these, have recourse, accord- 

 ingly, to that miracle.' Thereupon, Subaddho the Setthi, calling to his recollec- 

 tion the miracles performed by the supreme Muni (Buddho) deposited the 

 tooth relic in a golden vessel, filled with scented and delightfully cool water. 

 It rapidly ran round the golden vase, in the scented water, revolving to the right 

 hand, and like unto the king of Swans, rising to the surface and diving to the 

 bottom, and making the spectators' eyes stream with tears of joy. 



H He (the king) then had a hole dug in the middle of the street, and casting 

 the tooth relic therein, and having it thoroughly filled up with earth, trampled 

 it down by means of many tusked elephants. A flower of the marsh (the lotus) 

 in size a chariot wheel, the leaves of the flower glittering like a jewel, and daz- 

 zling with its silvery pistils, and with petals as if of gold, arose. On this cluster 

 of pistils, agitated by a gentle breeze, the relic of the vanquisher, casting its 

 effulgence all round, alighted ; and continued manifest for a short while. 

 Thereupon the people surrendered their garments and jewels as offerings : a 

 shower of flowers descended : with shouts of exultation, and chaunts of grati- 

 tude (the people) made the capital ring. 



" These Titthiya, then persuading the Ra'ja'dhira'ja', that this miracle 

 was an imposture, threw the relic into a sewer, into which the filth of the town 

 was collected. It (the sewer) was instantly invested with the five descriptions of 

 /aquatic) flowers, which are the food of the swan tribe, and buzzing with the 

 hum of the honey bees, became like the delightful pond in the Nandd heavens. 

 The state elephants roared : horses neighed : men set up shouts of joy : drums 

 and other musical instruments rang, each with its peculiar note : the diffident and 

 modest even, who abstain from the dance and song, exulted and reeled, and 

 intoxicated with joy, waved cloths over their heads : the sky was overcast with 

 the smoke rising from incense as if it were a cloud : and from the number of flags 

 that floated (in the air) the city appeared formed of flags themselves 1 



" On witnessing this miracle, the magnitude of which is inconceivable, the 

 converted portion of the ministers or nobles, forming the resolution to recognize 

 5 r 2 



