1849.] Brahmans and Buddhists. 121 



to the mountain named Yuganthara, in order to arrange about having a 

 learned discussion with Milinda Raja. The question had been thrice 

 put to the assembly, that a polemic champion was wanted, but no one 

 stepped forth. The Superior then said, that there was in Ketumti, in 

 Indra's heaven a Devata named Maha Sena, who might be able to com- 

 pete with Milinda. Upon this the assembly adjourned to Indra's hea- 

 ven. Indra inquired if the king had not been before in his heaven — 

 and on being assured that he had been there, Indra intimated to Maha 

 Sena that he should descend to the earth from the Loke heaven. The 

 Superior of the Arrahans persuaded this holy person or Deva to under- 

 take the visit out of regard to the religion of Buddha. The Superior 

 inquired on his return if all the Arrahans had accompanied him — when 

 Rohana replied that he had staid behind, being absorbed in contempla- 

 tions. For this breach of duty he was, as a punishment, sent to a 

 brahman's village on the further side offfimala, there to aiford ghostly 

 instruction to Nagasena, the son of the brahman Sonuttera, for 7 years. 

 Thus after portents on earth and in the heavens, Nagasena was born. 



It happened that this brahman had appointed another brahman to 

 be the preceptor of his son, and had required that the youth should be 

 grounded in the three Veds and the Silpa. The youth Nagasena had 

 heard read but a small portion of these sacred volumes, when he be- 

 came impressed with a perfect recollection of their whole contents. 

 These Veds consist of Niganda (pa), Sarakkha, Ittihassa (pa), Viya- 

 kurna (pa), Lokayatana (pa), Maha Supinna Lakhana. The boy in- 

 quired of his parents if there were any other Veds, but was told that 

 there were no more. He accordingly dismissed his teacher, and having 

 read the four ; (Q. 3 ?) Vedas, he thought them of little value, and that 

 all true wisdom and knowledge had disappeared from the earth. 



"While absorbed in these reflections Rohana arrived at his father's 

 house. The youth asked him why he wore patched garments ? I am, 

 said Rohana, Babbajit or Athit, or he who has got rid of sin and the 

 passions. What then do you know of the Silpas and Shastras ? I know 

 the chief Silpa. Why do you shave the head? There are 16 acts 

 relative to the head, which must not be attended to, and which can only 

 be avoided by the tonsure. Head-dress, cleansing the hair, curling it, 

 operations on it with iron instruments, anointing it, nikkhi, also adorn- 

 ing it with flowers, scenting it ; twisting and tying it (nimasa). 



R 



