FOLK-TALES OF INDIA. 177
again. As he was going on his way a tree-sprite within the trunk of a- tree called out : " O brahman, if you do not return home you your- self will die, and if you go home your wife will die." Having thus spoken the sprite vanished.
The brahman, on looking about and seeing nothing, became alarmed and frightened to death ; so, weeping and wailing, he reached the entrance of Benares. x\t that time it happened to be the fast observed on the day of the ne$v moon, the day when the Bodhisat sitting on the grand seat of judgment expounded the law, and when the multitude flocked together with scented flowers in their hands to hear a dis- course on religion.
Seeing this, the brahman asked where they were all going. " brahman," they answered, " to-day the learned Senaka preaches the law in the most pleasant manner, and with all the grace of a Buddha. Were you not aware of it ? " On hearing this he thought to himself : " It is said that the preacher is clever, and I am frightened to death ; may be this wise man can rid me of this great sorrow. I must go myself and hear this discourse." So he went with them ; and with his bag on his shoulder stood trembling not far from the judgment-seat, in the outer circle of the assembly, consisting of the king and others around the "great being."
The Bodhisat, as if going to the celestial river, and as if showering down an ambrosial rain, delivered a discourse. The delighted multi- tude listened and applauded. Wise men indeed have a wide range of vision. At that very moment the Bodhisat, opening his eyes, serene and clear, and seeing the brahman, thought, — " All this assembly are listening to my discourse joyfully and applaudingly, but this brahman, afflicted with grief, is the only person giving way to lamentation ; there must surely be within him some cause for this sorrow. I will rid him of it as easily as if I were removing copper verdigris caused by an acid (on a vessel), or a drop of moisture from the leaf of a lotus ; and, having made him free from sorrow and glad-hearted, I will expound the law to him." Then he addressed him as follows: " O brahman, I am called the sage Senaka, and will cause thee to put away thy grief. Speak out boldly." While thus talking with him he uttered the following gdtha, : —
Vol. 4.— Part 2. n
