217 
1872.] A. M. Broadley — The Buddhistic Remains of Bihar. 
inquired the grandmother, “ or has he with him a numerous retinue ? For 
what purpose is he coming here ?” The young man related to her all the 
particulars of his interview with his uncle. Nupathari, the mother of Tha- 
riputra, thought within her self: perhaps my son who has been a Italian 
from his youth, desires in his old age to leave his profession. She, however, 
gave orders to have the desired room cleaned, and a place prepared for all 
his attendants. 
‘ In the evening the great disciple went to his mother’s house with all 
his followers. He ascended to the room prepared for him and rested there- 
in. He hade all the Italians to withdraw and leave him alone. They had 
scarcely departed when a most violent disease seized Thariputra, which 
caused an abundant vomiting of blood, so great indeed, that the vessel 
wherein it flowed could not hold it. His mother, at the sight of such an 
awful distemper, did not dare to approach, hut with a broken heart retired 
into her own room, leaning against the door. At that time four great Nats, 
a Thagia, their chief, and four Brahmas came to see him, and to minister unto 
him, during his painful illness, hut he bade them retire. His mother 
seeing the coming in and going out of so many distinguished visitors, and 
the respect they paid to her son, drew near to the door of his room and 
calling the faithful Tsanda, inquired from him wherefore so many distin- 
guished individuals had come. Tsanda explained to her that the great Nats, 
the chief of Thagias, had come to visit and assist her son, and enjoy the 
presence of the great Kahan. 
< Meanwhile he informed the patient that his mother wished to see him. 
Thariputra replied that the moment was not a proper one, and asked from 
his mother the motive of her untimely visit. “ Beloved son,” said she, “ I am 
come here to contemplate your ever dear countenance. But who are they, 
those that have just come to see you ?” Thariputra explained to her how 
he had been visited by Nats, Thagias, and Brahmas. His mother inquiring 
from him if he were greater than any one of these, he hesitatingly replied 
that he was more excellent than any of them. His mother thought within 
herself : if my son be so exalted, how much more must Buddha be. Her 
heart was then overflowed with the purest joy. 
< Thariputra rightly understood that the moment had come to preach 
the law to his mother. He said to her : “ Woman, at the time my great 
teacher was born, when he obtained the supreme intelligence and preached the 
most excellent law, a great earthquake was felt throughout ten thousand 
worlds. No one has ever equalled him in the practice of virtue, in under- 
standing, wisdom, and in the knowledge oi, and the affection for, the trans- 
cendent excellencies of the state ol a rahat. He then went on explaining to 
her the law and many particulars relating to the person of Buddha. “ Be- 
loved son,” said his mother, delighted with all that she heard, “ why have you 
28 Si 
