ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 125 



embracing as a devoted disciple this religion, will never be 

 born in hell ; but being freed from the regions of torment, and 

 born in heaven, will enjoy exalted felicity : therefore your 

 conduct in abandoning this religion and embracing that of the 

 other teacher is improper. Having given them much advice, 

 he observed, formerly the men who embraced that as helpful 

 which was not helpful, became the prey of devils in the demon 

 desert, while those who followed the instructions which were 

 perfect, salutary and indisputable, passed through the same 

 desert in safety. Having said this he remained silent. 



Anathhapindiko then arose, and having worshipped Budha, 

 elevating his joined hands to his forehead, said, My Lord, that 

 these disciples have abandoned this eminent religion, and em-, 

 braced that of an opposing reasoner is obvious to us: but how 

 the followers of the reasoner were destroyed in the demon 

 desert, while those who received perfect instruction passed 

 through the same desert in safety is hidden from us, but to you 

 it is known. Be pleased Lord, as with the splendor of the full 

 moon, to display this to us. 



Budha replied, Grahapati, I have during countless ages, 

 traversed the ten paths which lead to the becoming a Budha, 

 that I might resolve the doubts of the world, and have attained 

 to the perfect knowledge of all things : attentively, therefore, 

 bend down your ears and hear. Having thus excited the at-, 

 tention of the nobleman, he, as the full moon in its splendor 

 bursting forth from the womb of the dark cloud, declared that 

 which was hidden in the former states of existence. 



There was formerly in Baranes (Benares) a King of Kasi 

 named Brahmadatta. Bodisat was at that time born of parents 

 who were engaged in foreign trade, and coming of age he tra- 

 velled with a caravan of 500 waggons from east to west, and 

 from west to east. There was also at Benares another mer- 



