126 CEYLON BRANCH — ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 



this event; upon which he revealed that which was hidden i» 

 past transmigrations. 



Formerly, when Brahmadatta, King of Kasi, reigned in Bena- 

 res, Bodisat was of the merchant tribe, and travelled about trad- 

 ing, with 500 waggons, and on one occasion entered a desert 

 sixty yoduns in extent. The sand was so fine that when taken 

 in the hand it could not be kept in the closed fist, and after 

 sunrise it became as hot as burning charcoal, so that no person 

 could walk on it. Those who had to travel over this desert took 

 in their waggons a supply of wood, water, oil, rice and other 

 necessaries, and travelled during the night. At break of day they 

 formed an encampment, spread a canopy over their heads, took 

 their meals and passed the day under the shade. Taking a meal 

 at sunset they yoked their oxen and proceeded on their jour-, 

 ney as soon as the ground became cool. The travelling was- 

 similar to a sea voyage, there being no road; and the conductor , 

 who might be called the pilot, directed the course of the cara~- 

 van by the stars. 



The trader had passed over 59 yoduns of the desert ; and cal- 

 culating that in another night's journey the caravan would pass 

 over its boundary, after supper he directed the wood and water to be 

 thrown away and set out. Having spread a couch in the foremost 

 waggon, he reclined on it, looking at the stars, and said Drive in this 

 direction, or Drive in that direction. Worn out from want of 

 rest during the long journey, the conductor fell asleep, and 

 did not know that the oxen had turned round and were re- 

 tracing their former steps. They travelled this way the re- 

 mainder of the night. Towards dawn the conductor awoke and 

 looking at the stars commanded the caravan to stop. By the 

 time this order was executed the day broke, and the men saw 

 that they had returned to the place of their former encamp* 

 ynent. They then exclaimed, Our fuel and water are expended ; 

 we are lost : and unyoking the oxen, spread a canopy, and 

 lie down under the waggons in utter despondency. Bodisat re* 



