English
t The laha was a tablet hung up in some part of the wih4ra, upon which any matter might be written about which it was intended that the priests should be informed. VII. LEGENDS OF G<5tAMA BUDHA. 269 intention of Bndha was perceived by Sekra, who provided the proper n amber of litters, and caused them to appear near the wihara. The first and best was entered by Bndha, and the next in order were occupied by the two agra-srdwakas, after whom the other priests took possession of the rest. Oti their way to Suniparanta they called at Sachabadda, where there was a mendicant with clotted hair. To him Badha delivered a dis- conrse, as he saw that he had the merit necessary to enable him to become a rahat; and after he had attained this state, he entered the vacant litter, and accompanied Budha to the merchant's village. (Amdwatv/ra). 25. The Yakd AlawaJca overcome by Bvdha. The kiug of Alow was accustomed, in order that he might prepare himself for the fatigues of war, to betake himself to the forest, and chase the game, without ceasing, for the space of seven days. On one occasion a part of the forest was sur- rounded, and the king gave orders that no animal should be per- mitted to escape ; but a deer burst through the barrier near the king, and he pursued it alone to the distance of three yojanas before he kOled it. Though he had no occasion for the flesh, yet to give proof of his prowess to his attendants, he divided it into two parts, and making a yoke of a piece of wood, attached one to each end, with which he proceeded towards the place where he had left the nobles. On the way he arrived at a banian tree, near a place where four roads met ; and as he was very much fatigued, he remained a little time under the tree to rest. This banian was the residence of the yak& Alawaka, a subject of Wesamuna, who was accustomed to slay all persons who approached the tree. After his usual manner he came to slay the king, who was so terrified, that he promised, if his life was spared, every day to provide for the demon a victim and a dish of rice. But Alawaka replied, ** When you return to the kingdom yon will forget the promise you have made ; I can only seize those who approach the tree, and therefore I cannot permit you to escape.'' But the king said, that on the day he omitted to make the offering, the yakd might come to the palace and seize his person. On receiving this promise Alawaka permitted him to return to the palace ; and on his arrival he called the 270 A MANUAL OF BUDHISM. chief of the city, and told him what had oocnrred. The noble enquired if he had named a day on which the sacrifice was to cease ; and when lie said that he had not, he lamented that the king had committed so great an error, but promised to do his utmost to remedy the evil, without any care on the part of the king. For this purpose he went to the door of the prison, and said that those who were appointed to death for murder, and wished to live, might be reprieved, if they would only take a dish of rice and present it at the banian tree. The murderers embraced his offer; bat when they approached the tree, they were caught by the jski and slain. A similar offer was after- wards made to the thieves, and they too were killed in the same manner, until the prison was empty. Then innocent persons were accused falsely, and condemned to the punishment that had been inflicted upon the others. When this stratagem failed, the aged were taken by house-row ; but the king told his noble that the people came to complain that their parents and gprandparents were taken from them, and commanded him to resort to some other method to seeure the daily victim. The noble said, that if he was not permitted to take the aged, he must seize the infants, for whom there would perhaps be less affection ; but when this became known, the mothers who had children, or those who were pregnant, removed to other countries. In this way twelve years passed over. At last no child was left in the city but the king's own son, and as a man will rather part with anything than his life, permission was given to sacrifice the prince ; and amidst the tears of the queens and courtezans, the nurse was directed to present him to the yakd. On the morning of the same day, it was seen by Bndha that the prince had sufficient mer^t to enable him to enter the path andgdmi, and that the yak4 might enter the path so wan. He, therefore, took his alms-bowl, and proceeded a distance of thirty yojanas from the J^tawana wihdra, in which he at that time resided, to the door of the yakd's dwelling. The porter, Gra- drabha, asked him why he had come there at that hour ; and he said that he had come to remain for a time in the dwelling of Alawaka. The porter informed him that this would be attended with danger, as his master was very cruel, not respecting even his own parents ; but Badha said that no harm would happen to him, if he were allowed to remain there a single night. The VU. LEGENDS OF G(iTAMA BUDHA. 271 porter again declared that his master tore oat the hearts of all who came near, and taking them by the legs clove them in two ; and when the sage still persisted in his request, the porter said he wonld go to the Himilla forest, and ask the permission of his master. On his departure, Bud ha entered the dwelling, and sat down on the throne ^occupied by the yakd on days of festivity, npon which the courtezans of the place came and did him reve- rence ; and the sage preached to them the bana, telling them to be kind to all and injure no one ; on the hearing of which they said, S^hu, in approbation. But when Gadrabha informed his master that Budha was at his dwelling, he became greatly enraged, and said that G6tama should suffer for this intrusion. It happened that at this time the yakas Satagera and B6md- wata were on their way, with their attendants, to worship Budha at the J^tawana wihdra. The yakds, in passing though the sky, must leave the paths that are frequented by the d^was. Around the dwelling of Alawaka there was an iron fence, and above it was protected by a net of gold. It was like a casket three yo- janas in height. The two yak&s had to pass near this place ; bat as no yaki is permitted to approach Budha (unless it be for the purpose of doing him reverence) they were arrested in their flight ; and on looking to see what was the cause, they perceived that the great teacher was seated upon the throne in the yakd's dwelling ; on which they went and offered worship, and after- wards departed to the Himdla forest. Here they met with Ala- waka, and informed him that a most fortunate circumstance had occurred to him, as Budha was in his dwelling, and he must go and entertain him. On hearing this, the heart of the j&k& became agitated, and he asked, *' Who is this Budha that has dared to enter my dwelling ? '* The two yakas replied, *' Bjiow you not Budha, the lord of the three worlds ? " The yakiL de- clared that whoever he was, he would drive him from his dwelling; but his companions said to him, "Why, yakd, you are like a calf, just born, near a mighty bull ; like a tiny elephant, near the king of the tribe ; like an old jackal, near a strong lion ; like a crow, near a garunda 150 yo janas high ; what can you do ? " Then Alawaka arose from his seat full of rage, and placing his foot upon the mountain Ratgal, he appeared like a blaze of fire, and said, '* Now we shall see whose power is the greater ; " then he struck with his foot the mountain Kailisa, which sent forth 272 A MANUAL OF BUDHISM. sparks like a red hot iron bar stmck by the sledge hammer of the smith. Again he called ont, ** I am the yaka Alawaka ! " and the sound reverberated through the whole of Jambudwipa.* Without delay the yakd went to his dwelling, and endeavoured to drive Budha away by a storm which he caused to arise from the four quarters, which had a force sufficient to bear down trees and rocks many yojanas in size ; but by the power of Budha it wad deprived of all ability to harm. After this showers were poured down of rain, weapons, sand, charcoal, ashes, and dark- ness ; but they did no injury whatever to the sage. He then as- sumed a fearful form, as Budha did not stop him as he did Wasawartta, but let him weary himself by his exertions during the whole night.