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" Then Jiwaka reflected, when he heard this circumstance related, that he would receive no inheritance from relationship ; so he resolved that he would learn some science, and then by his attainments he might be able to acquire both relatives and wealth. Again he considered the character of the eighteen sciences and the sixty-four arts, and determined that he would * The histoiy of Jiwaka is inserted at greater length than that of the other disciples of G<5tama, as it is of greater interest, and illustrates the stAte of medical science in that early age. 246 A MANUAL OF BUDHISM. sfcady the art of medicine, that he might be called doctor, and bo respected, and attain to eminence. With this intention ho went to Taksala,* and applied to a learned professor to receive him into his school. The professor asked him who he was; and as he thought that if he told the whole truth it would put him to shame, he replied that he was the son of Abhaja, and tHe grandson of Bimsara, king of Rajagaha. When he said that He wished to learn medicine, the professor asked what was the amount of the wages he had brought ; and he replied, ** I have come away by stealth from mj parents ; and therefore have not brought anything with me ; but I will remain with you as a servant, if you will teach me.'* The professor saw that there was some appearance of merit about him, and Agreed to teach him thou^li from other pupils he received a thousand masurans. At this moment the throne of Sekra trembled, as Jiwaka had been acquiring merit through a kap-laksha, and was soon to ad- minister medicine to G6tama Budha. The dewa resolved that as he was to become the physician of Budha, he would himself be his teacher ; and for this purpose he came to the earth, entered the mouth of the professor, and inspired him with the wisdom he needed to teach his pupil in the most excellent manner. At once Jiwaka perceived that what the professor asked, and thought, and said, proceeded from a dewa, and not from a man ; and he soon discovered that he could give relief in many cases where his teacher was not able. There are diseases that are mortal, and others that are not mortal, and about all these he was taught by Sekra for the space of seven years. With any other teacher he could not have learnt the same things in sixteen years. Then Jiwaka asked his preceptor when his education would be completed ; and the old man, in order to try his skill, told him that he must go out of one of the gates of the city, and examine the ground around for the space of sixteen miles, during four days, after which he was to bring him all the roots, flowers, barks, and fruits he could discover tliat were useless in medicine. Jiwaka did so; bnt on his * In almost numberless instances, TaksaU, or TaVshal^, is reprerented as a collegiate city. It is most probably the Taxila of the Greeks, which vaa situated, according to Strabo, between the Indus and the Hydaspes, and it represented as being extensive and well-goyemed. The Hindu legends state that Taksha, the son of Bharata, reigned in Qandhira, liis capital city bein;* Takshasiia. vn. LEGENDS OF g6tama budha. 247 return informed the professor that he had met with no Bubetance that was not in some way or other of benefit ; there was no such thing upon earth. The teacher, on receiving this reply, told him that there was no one in the world that could instruct him further ; and Sekra departed from his mouth. As he knew that his pupil had been taught by a wisdom that was divine, he gave bim sufficient for his maiutenauce during three or four days, and sent people to accompany him to his own city. In the course of his jouruey Jiwaka arrived at S4k6tu, where he remained a little time to refresb himself. At that time the wife of one of the principal citizens had a violent pain in her head, from which she had suffered seven years. Many learned physicians had promised to cure her, but they only took her substance, and did not afford her a moment's relief. Jiwaka having heard of her situation, sent to inform her that a learned doctor was at her gate ; but when she learnt his age, she said, ** What can a little child do, when the cleverest physicians in Jambudwipa have failed f Tell him that if he is hungry, we will supply him with rice ; or if it is something else that he wants, let him receive it, and be gone." On hearing this, Jiwaka replied, " Science is neither old nor young ; wisdom does not come from age alone ; what has the lady to do with my age, or how does this affect my ability ? I will not go away until the head-ache is entirely cured ; if I fail, no harm will be done ; I will ask for nothing until my skill is clearly proved." The lady was pleased with the manner in which he spoke, and commanded him to be called ; after which she offered him a seat, and said, *^ My son, can you give me relief for a single day, for it is seven years since I was able to sleep." Jiwaka pro- mised to give her instant rplief, and requested that a little butter might be boiled, on receiving which he poured from his hand a quantity of medicine into her nose, half of which went to her brain and the other half to her mouth. The part that wen to her moath, she spat out ; but the husband told the servants to take it up with some cotton. When Jiwaka saw this, he thought to himself, *^ If these people are so niggardly that they take up even that which has fallen to the ground in spittle, I fear there is no chance of my receiving any great reward.'* The lady guessed his thoughts, and told him that it was done, 248 A MANUAL OF BUDHISM. not on account of tHeir oovetoasness, but from the precionsness of the medicine ; as if it remained on the ground it would benefit no one ; but if taken up it might cure some other disease. She then informed her husband that her head-ache had all gone, and that Jiwaka was the cause of her recovery. For this the attendants praised him, and the noble, the lady, their child, and their relatives, each gave him 4000 nila-karshas, with chariots, and other gifts in abundance. With this wealth he went to Bajagaha, and told the prince he had brought him a first offering for the trouble he had had in bringing him up. But Abhaya replied that he had recently found out that he was his own son, by the courtezan S41dwati, and that he had brought him up, not for a recompense, but from paternal affection. He also gave him permission to build a residence near his own palace, and to partake of his wealth. At this time Bimsara was troubled with a fistula in ano, which sometimes caused his robe to be spotted, and exposed him to the ridicule of the queens. As the king was greatly ashamed on this account, he consulted the most renowned physicians in eveiy part of Jambudwipa, but they could afford him no relief ; so he one day called Abhaya, and asked if he knew of any other person that it would be well to consult. The prince recommended that his own son should be sent for ; and when he came, Bimsara took him into a private apartment, and made known to him the nature of his complaint. Jiwaka had taken a little medicine in his finger ^ail, with which he anointed the fistula ; in an instant the pain was gone, and the disease vanished, but in what way the king could not discover. Bimsara now thought that if Jiwaka was a good man, it was right that he should be honoured, but that if he was a bad man, it would be necessary to put him away ; he was so exceedingly clever, that his presence would cither be a great benefit or a great evil. To try him, he called his 500 queens, and after telling them of the wonderful cure that had been effected, he informed them that they might reward the physician in any way they thought proper. They therefore brought immense numbers of the richest robes, and presented them to Jiwaka.''^ Abhaya and the nobles who were * By some of the ancient nations the medical profession was held in high osteem. The Egyptian surgeons were thought to excel all others in the exercise of their art. The surgeon Demokedes receired from the citizi8 of VII. LEGENDS OF G<5TAMA BUDHA.