2023-02-26 04:07:34 by ambuda-bot
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SUMMARY OF CONTENTS
23
when Ratnodbbava was heard consoling us from far; and the
surging waves wafted us ashore. We searched for him far and
near on the coast but could not find him. In agony of sepa-
ration, my mistress attempted suicide but I prevented her.
She was delivered of this baby in a grass hut close by. The
mother and the baby are shivering in the cold wind; and
to warm them, I have started in search of fire. As the place
is full of danger I carried the baby in my arms.'
'No sooner had she finished her tale than a wild buffalo
knocked her down. Then a wild elephant killed the buffalo
and was about to kill the child. I was terrified and did not
know what to do, when the roar of a lion was heard. The
elephant picked up the child and flung it in the air. A large
monkey that was perching on a tree caught hold of
him; and taking him for a fruit, climbed to the top. The child
slipped from his hands and fell into my basket of flowers.
Wondering at the decrees of fate, I took him in my arms
and carried him to the nurse. She was unconscious. I fed the
child with cow's milk and searched in vain for his mother in
several places. Finally I took him to the sage Vāmadeva
and he bade me bring the baby to you.' The king accepted the
child with mingled feelings of joy and sorrow and named him
Puşpodbhava, indicative of his coming from a flower basket.
(Av. Sāra IV. 101-12; Av. 190-93)
Story of Devarakṣita
At about this time there appeared another Brahman with
a child and said: "King! (I am a Brahman named Kirtideva).
During my pilgrimage to Kumārī in the southern country I
heard that a Brahman (named Satyaśarman of Pataliputra)
renowned for learning and hospitality was living on the bank
to Kaveri. I proceeded to his residence and saw him a victim
to misery and affliction, (and his wife withering from mental
pain). However he was not slow in extending his hospitality
to me. After taking rest, I said (in the course of the conversa-
tion: The very sight of one's own countrymen infuses con-
fidence more than the long acquaintance with a foreigner. And
hence), Oh great Brahman! I make bold to ask you how it is
that you are living in this corner of the land, leaving the
flower-city in the well-governed Magadha country. (You
look like a recluse though you are really a householder and
your wife is bereft of colour on her face, like the digit of the
moon at dawn). If I am not prying into your secrets, please
23
when Ratnodbbava was heard consoling us from far; and the
surging waves wafted us ashore. We searched for him far and
near on the coast but could not find him. In agony of sepa-
ration, my mistress attempted suicide but I prevented her.
She was delivered of this baby in a grass hut close by. The
mother and the baby are shivering in the cold wind; and
to warm them, I have started in search of fire. As the place
is full of danger I carried the baby in my arms.'
'No sooner had she finished her tale than a wild buffalo
knocked her down. Then a wild elephant killed the buffalo
and was about to kill the child. I was terrified and did not
know what to do, when the roar of a lion was heard. The
elephant picked up the child and flung it in the air. A large
monkey that was perching on a tree caught hold of
him; and taking him for a fruit, climbed to the top. The child
slipped from his hands and fell into my basket of flowers.
Wondering at the decrees of fate, I took him in my arms
and carried him to the nurse. She was unconscious. I fed the
child with cow's milk and searched in vain for his mother in
several places. Finally I took him to the sage Vāmadeva
and he bade me bring the baby to you.' The king accepted the
child with mingled feelings of joy and sorrow and named him
Puşpodbhava, indicative of his coming from a flower basket.
(Av. Sāra IV. 101-12; Av. 190-93)
Story of Devarakṣita
At about this time there appeared another Brahman with
a child and said: "King! (I am a Brahman named Kirtideva).
During my pilgrimage to Kumārī in the southern country I
heard that a Brahman (named Satyaśarman of Pataliputra)
renowned for learning and hospitality was living on the bank
to Kaveri. I proceeded to his residence and saw him a victim
to misery and affliction, (and his wife withering from mental
pain). However he was not slow in extending his hospitality
to me. After taking rest, I said (in the course of the conversa-
tion: The very sight of one's own countrymen infuses con-
fidence more than the long acquaintance with a foreigner. And
hence), Oh great Brahman! I make bold to ask you how it is
that you are living in this corner of the land, leaving the
flower-city in the well-governed Magadha country. (You
look like a recluse though you are really a householder and
your wife is bereft of colour on her face, like the digit of the
moon at dawn). If I am not prying into your secrets, please