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By you, the entire city of the gods was shaken then." 138. "And the Tāvatiṃsa gods, and Vāsava of the thirty-three; And you, fair one, be happy, go, maiden, as you please." 139. Having taken his feet, and having circumambulated him; Having raised her joined hands, she departed from that place. 140. And the couch that was hers, golden, with a pillow; With fifty upper coverings, spread with a thousand; Having ascended that very couch, she went to the presence of the gods. 141. Coming like a flash of darkness, shining like lightning; Delighted, joyful, pleased, the king of gods granted a boon. 142. "If you grant me a boon, Sakka, lord of all beings; May I not go to tempt ascetics, this boon, Sakka, I choose." The third, the Alambusā Jātaka. 524. The Saṅkhapāla Jātaka (4) 143. "You are of noble appearance, with clear eyes, I think your reverence has gone forth from a family; How is it that, abandoning wealth and enjoyments, you went forth, leaving home, wise one?" 144. "My own mansion seeing the king of men, of the great serpent of great power; Having seen the great fruit of merits, I have gone forth with faith, O King.’’ 145. ‘‘Not from desire, nor from fear, nor from hatred, do renunciants speak falsehood; Explain this matter to me, when asked, and hearing it, faith will arise in me.’’ 146. ‘‘O ruler, going on a journey, I saw on the path the Bhoja youths; Taking a large, full-bodied serpent, they were going along rejoicing.’’ 147. ‘‘So I, having approached them, O King, with hair bristling, spoke in fear; ‘Where is this fearsome body being led? What will you do with the serpent, O Bhoja youths?’ 148. ‘‘‘This serpent is being led for food, a large, full-bodied serpent; Its flesh is sweet, thick, and tender, you do not know its taste, O Videha’s son.’ 149. ‘‘‘From here we will go to our home, and taking our weapons, we will cut it up; We will eat its flesh rejoicing, for we are indeed enemies of serpents.’ 150. ‘‘‘If this large, full-bodied serpent is being led for food; I will give you sixteen oxen, release this serpent from its bonds.’ 151. ‘‘‘Indeed, this prey is pleasing to us, and many serpents have we eaten before; We will do that word for you, O Alara, and be our friend, O Videha’s son.’ 152. ‘‘Then they released him from his bonds, from the noose that was around his neck; And the Naga king, freed from his bonds, went away facing east for a moment. 153. ‘‘Having gone facing east for a moment, he looked at me with full eyes; Then I followed him from behind, holding up my clasped hands. 154. ‘‘‘Go quickly, lest your enemies seize you again; For it is painful to be caught again by hunters.’ No coming, no sight of the Bhojaputtas, go! 155. He went to a very clear lake, blue-shining, delightful, with good fords; Surrounded by jambu and vetasa trees, he entered, fearless and joyful. 156. Having entered it, not long after, the Naga, O king, appeared to me divinely; He attended me like a son to his father, speaking words dear to the heart and pleasant to the ear. 157. "You are my mother and father, Alara, my inner life-giver, my friend; And I have gained my own power, Alara, behold my dwellings; Abundant in food, with much to eat and drink, like the palace of Vasava." 158. That ground, endowed with beautiful features, without gravel, soft and lovely; With low grass and little dust, a pleasing place where sorrows are abandoned. 159. Undisturbed, dark like lapis lazuli, a delightful mango grove in all four directions; With ripe and unripe fruits, fully blossomed, bearing fruits at all seasons. 160. In the midst of those groves, O king, a dwelling shining like a flame; With silver bolts, golden and magnificent, it shines like lightning in the sky. 161. Made of jewels, made of gold, magnificent, variously adorned, constantly well-made; Full of maidens, adorned, wearing golden armlets, O king. 162. Then Saṅkhapāla, swiftly, of incomparable complexion, ascended the palace; With a thousand pillars, of immeasurable power, where his queen, the chief consort, resided. 163. And a certain maiden, swiftly, taking a precious lapis lazuli; A beautiful jewel, of excellent quality, without being told, brought a seat. 164. Then the Naga, taking me by the hand, seated me on the chief seat; "This is the seat, let your honor be seated here, for your honor is one of my revered ones." 165. And another maiden, swiftly, taking water, approached; And washed my feet. Indeed, a wife is dear to her husband, her lord. 166. And another woman, appearing in haste, holding a golden bowl; With many soups, various curries, offered delicious food. 167. "When I had eaten, Bharata, they attended me with musical instruments, knowing their lord's mind; And after that, I lay down in a great, immeasurable divine pleasure. 168. "These three hundred wives of mine, graceful, with bodies like the best lotus, graceful, these are for your pleasure, I give them to you, attend to them." 169. Having enjoyed divine tastes for a year, then I spoke further: "How was this obtained by the Nāga, and how did he get this excellent mansion?" 170. "Was it obtained by chance, or by ripening of deeds, or self-made, or given by gods? I ask you, O Nāga king, about this matter, how did you get this excellent mansion?" 171. "It was not obtained by chance, nor by ripening of deeds for me, nor self-made, nor given by gods; By my own deeds, which were not evil, by merits, this mansion was obtained by me." 172. "What was your vow, and what was your holy life, of what well-practiced deed is this the result? Tell me, O Nāga king, about this matter, how indeed did you get this mansion?" 173. "I was a king, lord of Magadha, named Duyyodhana, of great power; Knowing this life to be temporary, impermanent, subject to change. 174. With a joyful mind, I respectfully gave abundant gifts of food and drink; My house then became like a public watering place, ascetics and brahmins were well-satisfied. 175. Garlands, perfumes, and ointments, lamps, vehicles, and lodgings; Clothing, beds, and also food and drink, respectful gifts... That was my vow, that was my holy life, this is the result of that well-practiced deed; By that I obtained this mansion, with abundant food and much drink. It is endowed with dances and songs, long-lasting, but not eternal. Those of little power kill you, the mighty one, the glorious one, they who are without glory; Why, O fanged weapon, for what reason, did you come into the hands of these merchants? Did great fear come upon you, or did your power not reach your fangs? Why, O fanged weapon, for what reason, did you fall into distress at the hands of these merchants? No great fear came upon me, my power could not be killed by them; But the well-proclaimed doctrines of the good, are hard to transgress, like the ocean shore. On the fourteenth and fifteenth, O Alāra, I always observed the Uposatha; Then sixteen Bhoja youths came, taking a rope and a strong noose. Having pierced my nose, with a rope of Yama, the cruel ones led me away, having seized me; Such suffering I endured, without disturbing my Uposatha. On a solitary path they saw you, endowed with strength and beauty; You are developed in glory and wisdom, what do you desire, O Nāga, by practicing asceticism? Not for the sake of sons, nor for the sake of wealth, nor for the sake of life, O Alāra; Desiring a human birth, therefore I strive and practice asceticism. You are red-eyed, with a radiant body, adorned, with hair and beard trimmed; Well-anointed with red sandalwood, like a Gandhabba king, you illuminate the directions. You have attained divine power, you are mighty, endowed with all desires; I ask you, O King of Nāgas, this matter: In what way is the human world superior to this? O Alāra, Not elsewhere than in the human world, is purity or self-restraint found; And having obtained a human birth, I will make an end to birth and death. "A year I have dwelt with you, I have been served with food and drink; Having taken leave, I depart, O Nāga, I have been long away, O king of men." "Sons and wives and dependents, constantly instructed, attend upon you; Did no one curse you, for dear to me is your sight, Alāra." "As a dear son might dwell, well-provided for, in the house of mother and father; Even better for me is it here, for your heart, O Nāga, is pleased with me." "A ruby-red gem I possess, a great jewel-treasure, a bringer of wealth; Take it and go to your own abode, having gained wealth, then give up that gem." "I have seen human pleasures, impermanent, subject to change; Having seen the danger in sensual pleasures, I have gone forth through faith, O king. "Like fruits from trees, people fall, young and old, with the breaking of the body; Having seen this too, I have gone forth, O king, the blameless ascetic life is better." "Indeed, the wise should be served, the learned, who ponder many things; Having heard the Nāga and you, Alāra, I will perform not a few merits." "Indeed, the wise should be served, the learned, who ponder many things; Having heard the Nāga and me, O king, perform not a few merits." The fourth, the Saṅkhapāla Jātaka. "I bid farewell to the town, to friends and ministers, to the assembly; White hairs have appeared on my head, now I desire to go forth." "Oh, how can you speak thus? You pierce my heart with a dart, O king;" Seven hundred are your wives, how will they be? 197. They will find [a way], young as they are, they will go to others; Desiring heaven, therefore I will go forth. 198. Ill-gotten for me it was, Sutasoma, that I was your mother; While I lament, heedless you go forth, my lord. 199. Ill-gotten for me it was, Sutasoma, that I gave birth to you; While I lament, heedless you go forth, my lord. 200. What is this Dhamma, Sutasoma, and what is this going forth; That you, heedless of us, old as we are, go forth, my lord. 201. Your sons are many,