117 
1882 .] Legend of Nag drj unci. 
bounden duty assumed her celestial shape radiant in angelic glory that was 
too strong for mortal eyes to bear, and ascended to her ethereal home, leaving 
the disappointed lover to stare at her with surprise. No sooner did this affair 
take place than Nagarjuna by dint of his divine eyes came to know of it. In 
order to retrieve the loss, he visited the courts of kings, princes, and nobles of 
Magadha and other Buddhist countries, from whom he obtained annuities 
and donations for the support of the great body of monks at Nalendra. 
He constructed a gigantic image of of Mahakala whom he charged with 
the defence of his religion. During the latter part of his office the country 
was visited by a famine in consequence of which the monks fell into great 
distress. The manager became very thoughtful about the terrible effects 
of the natural calamity. Distress and scarcity compelled the congregation 
more keenly to feel the necessity of money. The monks now determined 
to devise some means of acquiring treasurer for the support of the 
famished congregation, and Nagarjuna accordingly started on an expedition 
to yisit an island in the great ocean where lived a great saint well versed 
in the art of alchemy. As the sea could not be crossed by any earthly 
means, he, by dint of his divine learning, got two leaves of an enchanted 
tree, by means of which he crossed the ocean and miraculously visited the 
island and presented himself before the sage who was greatly surprised 
to see a human being arrived at his abode deemed inaccessible to mortal 
beings. The sage earnestly inquired how he succeeded in achieving 
this wonder. Nagarjuna replied respectfully stating to him the reasons 
of his visit and the circumstances that brought him thither. He also 
showed him one of the enchanted leaves, concealing the other in his 
mendicant’s platter. He begged him to teach him the art of turning 
metals into gold. The sage consented to the proposal, but not liking to 
let the wonderful art be known in Jambudvipa, he determined to detain him 
for ever in the island by depriving him of the enchanted leaf. To effect 
this, he said that he could teach the art of alchemy provided Nagarjuna 
consented to part with his leaf. Nagarjuna consented, and was taught the 
art. When it was fully mastered he flew towards the Indian Continent by 
the help of the remaining leaf. Beturning to Nalendra, by means of his 
easily acquired wealth he supported the whole body of monks. By his 
religious practices he obtained siddhi (perfection). He refuted the theo¬ 
ries of S'ankaracharya and imparted religious instruction to the monks 
of Nalendra. The Nagas used to attend his sermons in the shape of 
young boys. They were so much interested in his teaching that they 
invited him to their abode where he spent three months. They entreated 
him to settle permanently in Naga land (the nether world) which offer 
he declined on the ground of his being required to preach the sacred 
religion in Jambudvipa, and erect religious edifices for the good of living 
