Mahavagga - Eighth Khandhaka: Chapter 1

EIGHTH KHANDHAKA.
(THE DRESS OF THE BHIKKHUS.)
1.
1. At that time the blessed Buddha dwelt at Râgagaha, in the Veluvana, in the
Kalandaka-nivâpa. At that time Vesâlî was an opulent, prosperous town, populous,
crowded with people, abundant with food 1; there were seven thousand seven
hundred and seven storeyed buildings, and seven thousand seven hundred and seven
pinnacled buildings, and seven thousand seven hundred and seven pleasure grounds
(Ârâmas), and seven thousand seven hundred and seven lotus-ponds. There was also
the courtezan Ambapâlikâ 2, who was beautiful, graceful, pleasant, gifted with
the highest beauty of complexion, well versed in dancing, singing, and
lute-playing, much visited by desirous people. She asked fifty (kahâpanas) for
one night. Through that person Vesâlî became more and more flourishing.
2. Now a merchant from Râgagaha went to Vesâlî on a certain business. That
Râgagaha merchant saw what an opulent, prosperous town Vesâlî was, how populous,
crowded with people, and abundant with food, and the seven thousand seven
p. 172
hundred and seven storeyed buildings . . . . and the courtezan Ambapâlî, who was
beautiful . . . . and through whom Vesâlî became more and more flourishing. And
the Râgagaha merchant, after having done his business in Vesâlî, returned to
Râgagaha and went to the place where the Mâgadha king Seniya Bimbisâra was.
Having approached him, he said to the Mâgadha king Seniya Bimbisâra: 'Vesâlî,
Your Majesty, is an opulent, prosperous town (&c., as in § 1, down to:) Through
that person Vesâlî becomes more and more flourishing. May it please Your
Majesty, let us also install a courtezan.'
(The king replied), 'Well, my good Sir, look for such a girl whom you can
install as courtezan.'
3. Now at that time there was at Râgagaha a girl Sâlavatî by name, who was
beautiful, graceful, pleasant, and gifted with the highest beauty of complexion.
That girl Sâlavatî the Râgagaha merchant installed as courtezan. And before long
the courtezan Sâlavatî was well versed in dancing, singing, and lute-playing,
and much visited by desirous people, and she asked one hundred (kahâpanas) for
one night. And before long the courtezan Sâlavatî became pregnant. Now the
courtezan Sâlavatî thought: 'Men do not like a pregnant woman. If anybody should
find out regarding me that "The courtezan Sâlavatî is pregnant," my whole
position will be lost. What if I were to have the people told that I am sick.'
And the courtezan Sâlavatî gave orders to the door-keeper (saying), 'Let no man
enter here, my good door-keeper, and if a man calls for me, tell him that I am
sick.' The door-keeper accepted
p. 173
this of the courtezan Sâlavatî (by saying), Yes, Madam.'
4. And the courtezan Sâlavatî, when the child in her womb had reached maturity,
gave birth to a boy. And the courtezan Sâlavatî gave orders to her maid-servant
(saying), 'Go, my girl, put this boy into an old winnowing basket, take him
away, and throw him away on a dust-heap.' The servant accepted this order of the
courtezan Sâlavatî (by saying), 'Yes, Madam,' put that boy into an old winnowing
basket, took him away, and threw him away on a dust-heap.
At that time a royal prince, Abhaya by name 1, went betimes to attend upon the
king, and saw that boy, around whom crows were gathering. When he saw that, he
asked the people: 'What is that, my good Sirs, around which the crows are
gathering?'
It is a boy, Your Highness 2.'
'Is he alive, Sirs?'
'He is alive, Your Highness.'
'Well, my good Sirs, bring that boy to our palace and give him to the nurses to
nourish him.'
And those people accepted that order of the royal prince Abhaya (by saying),
'Yes, Your Highness,' brought that boy to the palace of the royal prince Abhaya,
and gave him to the nurses (saying),
'Nourish (this boy).'
p. 174
Because (the people had said about this boy to Abhaya), 'He is alive' (gîvati),
they gave him the name of Gîvaka; because he had been caused to be nourished by
the royal prince (kumârena posâpito), they gave him the name of Komârabhakka 1.
5. And ere long Gîvaka Komârabhakka came to the years of discretion. And Gîvaka
Komârabhakka went to the place where the royal prince Abhaya was; having
approached him he said to the royal prince Abhaya: 'Who is my mother, Your
Highness, and who is my father?'
'I do not know your mother, my good Gîvaka, but I am your father, for I have had
you nourished.'
Now Gîvaka Komârabhakka thought: 'In these royal families it is not easy to find
one's livelihood without knowing an art. What if I were to learn an art.'
6. At that time there lived at Takkasilâ (Τάξιλα) a world-renowned physician.
And Gîvaka Komârabhakka without asking leave of the royal prince Abhaya set out
for Takkasilâ. Wandering from place to place he came to Takkasilâ and to the
place where
p. 175
that physician was. Having approached him he said to that physician, 'I wish to
learn your art, doctor.
'Well, friend Gîvaka, learn it.'
And Gîvaka Komârabhakka learnt much, and learnt easily, and understood well, and
did not forget what he had learnt. And when seven years had elapsed, Gîvaka
Komârabhakka thought: 'I learn much, and learn easily, and I understand well,
and I do not forget what I have learnt. I have studied now seven years, and I do
not see the end of this art. When shall I see the end of this art?'
7. And Gîvaka Komârabhakka went to the place where that physician was; having
approached him he said to that physician: 'I learn much, doctor, and I learn
easily; I understand well, and do not forget what I have learnt. I have studied
now seven years, and I do not see the end of this art. When shall I see the end
of this art?'
'Very well, my dear Gîvaka, take this spade, and seek round about Takkasilâ a
yogana on every side, and whatever (plant) you see which is not medicinal, bring
it to me.'
Gîvaka Komârabhakka accepted this order of that physician (saying), 'Yes,
doctor,' took a spade, and went around about Takkasilâ a yogana on every side,
but he did not see anything that was not medicinal. Then Gîvaka Komârabhakka
went to the place where that physician was; having approached him he said to
that physician: 'I have been seeking, doctor, all around Takkasilâ a yogana on
every side, but I have not seen anything that is not medicinal.'
(The physician replied), 'You have done your learning, my good Gîvaka; this will
do for acquiring your livelihood.' Speaking thus he gave to Gîvaka
p. 176
[paragraph continues] Komârabhakka a little (money) for his journey (home).
8. And Gîvaka Komârabhakka took that little money, given to him for his journey,
and set out for Râgagaha. And on the way at Sâketa that little money of Gîvaka
Komârabhakka was spent. Now Gîvaka Komârabhakka thought: 'These ways are wild,
and there is but little water and little food; it is difficult to travel here
without money for the journey. What if I were to try to get some money for my
journey.'
At that time the setthi's 1 wife at Sâketa had been suffering for seven years
from disease in the head; many very great and world-renowned physicians came,
but they could not restore her to health; they received much gold, and went
away.
And Gîvaka Komârabhakka, when he had entered Sâketa, asked the people: 'Who is
sick here, my good Sirs? Whom shall I cure?'
'That setthi's wife, doctor, has been suffering for seven years from a disease
in the head; go, doctor, and cure that setthi's wife.'
9. Then Gîvaka Komârabhakka went to the house of that householder, the setthi;
and when he had reached it, he gave orders to the door-keeper (saying), 'Go, my
good door-keeper, and tell the setthi's wife: "A physician has come in, Madam,
who wants to see you."'
That door-keeper accepted this order of Gîvaka Komârabhakka (saying), 'Yes,
doctor,' went to the place where the setthi's wife was, and having approached
her, he said to the setthi's wife: 'A physician has come in, Madam, who wants to
see you.'
p. 177
'What sort of man is that physician, my good door-keeper?'
'He is a young man, Madam.'
'Nay, my good door-keeper, what can a young physician help me? Many very great
and world-renowned physicians have come and have not been able to restore me to
health; they have received much gold, and have gone away.'
10. Thus that door-keeper went to Gîvaka Komârabhakka; having approached him he
said to Gîvaka Komârabhakka: 'The setthi's wife has said, doctor: "Nay, my good
door-keeper (&c., as in § 9)."'
(Gîvaka replied), 'Go, my good door-keeper, and tell the setthi's wife: "The
physician, Madam, says: 'Do not give me anything beforehand, Madam when you
shall have been restored to health, then you may give me what you like."'
The door-keeper accepted this order of Gîvaka Komârabhakka (saying), 'Yes,
doctor,' went to the place where the setthi's wife was, and having approached
her he said to the setthi's wife: 'The physician, Madam, says (&c., as above).'
'Well, my good door-keeper, let the physician enter.'
The door-keeper accepted this order of the setthi's wife (saying), 'Yes, Madam,'
went to the place where Gîvaka Komârabhakka was, and having approached him he
said to Gîvaka Komârabhakka: 'The setthi's wife calls you, doctor.'
11. Then Gîvaka Komârabhakka went to the place where the setthi's wife was;
having approached her, and having carefully observed the change in the
appearance of the setthi's wife, he said to the
p. 178
setthi's wife: 'We want one pasata 1 of ghee, Madam.' Then the setthi's wife
ordered one pasata of ghee to be given to Gîvaka Komârabhakka. And Gîvaka
Komârabhakka boiled up that pasata of ghee with various drugs, ordered the
setthi's wife to lie down on her back in the bed, and gave it her through her
nose. And the butter given through the nose came out through the mouth. And the
setthi's wife spat it out into the spittoon, and told the maid-servant: 'Come,
my girl, take this ghee up with a piece of cotton.'
12. Then Gîvaka Komârabhakka thought: 'It is astonishing how niggardly this
house-wife is, in that she has this ghee, which ought to be thrown away, taken
up with a piece of cotton. I have given her many highly precious drugs. What
sort of fee will she give me?'
And the setthi's wife, when she observed the change of demeanour in Gîvaka
Komârabhakka, said to Gîvaka Komârabhakka: 'Why are you perplexed, doctor?'
'I thought: "It is astonishing, &c."'
'Householders like us, doctor, know why to economize thus; this ghee will do for
the servants or workmen to anoint their feet with, or, it can be poured into the
lamp. Be not perplexed, doctor, you will not lose your fee.'
p. 179
13. And Gîvaka Komârabhakka drove away the disease in the head which the
setthi's wife had had for seven years, by once giving her medicine through the
nose. Then the setthi's wife, who had been' restored to health, gave four
thousand (kâhâpanas) to Gîvaka Komârabhakka; her son (thinking), 'My mother
stands there restored,' gave him four thousand; her daughter-in-law (thinking),
'My mother-in-law stands there restored,' gave him four thousand; the setthi,
the householder, (thinking), 'My wife stands there restored,' gave him four
thousand and a man-servant and a maid-servant and a coach with horses.
Then Gîvaka Komârabhakka took those sixteen thousand (kâhâpanas) and the
man-servant, the maid-servant, and the coach with the horses, and set out for
Râgagaha. In due course he came to Râgagaha, and to the place where the royal
prince Abhaya was; having approached him he said to the royal prince Abhaya:
'This, Your Highness, (have I received for) the first work I have done, sixteen
thousand and a man-servant and a maid-servant and a coach with horses; may Your
Highness accept this as payment for my bringing up.'
'Nay, my dear Gîvaka, keep it, but do not get a dwelling for yourself elsewhere
than in our residence.'
Gîvaka Komârabhakka accepted this order of the royal prince Abhaya (saying),
'Yes, Your Highness,' and got himself a dwelling in the residence of the royal
prince Abhaya.
14. At that time the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra suffered from a fistula; his
garments were stained with blood. When the queens saw that,
p. 180
they ridiculed (the king, and said): 'His Majesty is having his courses. His
Majesty will bring forth!' The king was annoyed at that. And the Magadha king
Seniya Bimbisâra said to the royal prince Abhaya: 'I am suffering, my dear
Abhaya, from such a disease that my garments are stained with blood; and the
queens, when they see it, ridicule (me by saying), "His Majesty is, &c." Pray,
my dear Abhaya, find a physician for me, able to cure me.'
'This excellent young physician of ours, Sire, Gîvaka, he will cure Your
Majesty.'
'Then pray, my dear Abhaya, give orders to the physician Gîvaka, and he shall
cure me.'
15. Then the royal prince Abhaya gave orders to Gîvaka Komârabhakka (saying),
'Go, my dear Gîvaka, and cure the king.'
Gîvaka Komârabhakka accepted this order of the royal prince Abhaya (by saying),
'Yes, Your Highness,' took some medicament in his nail, and went to the place
where the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra was. Having approached him, he said to
the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra: 'Let us see your disease, Your Majesty.' And
Gîvaka Komârabhakka healed the fistula of the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra by
one anointing.
Then the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra, having been restored to health, ordered
his five hundred wives to put on all their ornaments; then he ordered them to
take their ornaments off and to make a heap of them, and he said to Gîvaka
Komârabhakka: 'All these ornaments, my dear Gîvaka, of my five hundred wives
shall be thine.'
'Nay, Sire, may Your Majesty remember my office.'
p. 181
'Very well, my dear Gîvaka, you can wait upon me and my seraglio and the
fraternity of Bhikkhus with the Buddha at its head.'
Gîvaka Komârabhakka accepted this order of the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra (by
saying), 'Yes, Your Majesty.'
16. At that time the setthi at Râgagaha had been suffering for seven years from
a disease in the head. Many very great and world-renowned physicians came, and
were not able to restore him to health; they received much gold and went away.
And a prognostication had been made by the physicians to him, to wit: Some of
the physicians said: 'The setthi, the householder, will die on the fifth day;'
other physicians said: 'The setthi, the householder, will die on the seventh
day.'
Now (a certain) Râgagaha merchant thought: 'This setthi, this householder, does
good service both to the king and to the merchants' guild. Now the physicians
have made prognostication to him(&c., as above). There is Gîvaka, the royal
physician, an excellent young doctor. What if we were to ask the king for his
physician Gîvaka to cure the setthi, the householder?'
17. And the Râgagaha merchant went to the place where the Magadha king Seniya
Bimbisâra was; having approached him, he said to the Magadha king Seniya
Bimbisâra: That setthi, Sire, that householder, does good service both to Your
Majesty and to the merchants' guild. Now the physicians have made
prognostication to him, &c. May it please Your Majesty to order the physician
Gîvaka to cure the setthi, the householder.'
Then the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra gave
p. 182
orders to Gîvaka Komârabhakka (saying), 'Go, my dear Gîvaka, and cure the
setthi, the householder.'
Gîvaka Komârabhakka accepted this order of the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra (by
saying), 'Yes, Your Majesty,' went to the place where the setthi, the
householder, was, and having approached him, and having carefully observed the
change in his appearance, he said to the setthi, the householder: 'If I restore
you to health, my good householder, what fee will you give me?'
'All that I possess shall be yours, doctor, and I will be your slave.'
18. 'Well, my good householder, will you be able to lie down on one side for
seven months?'
'I shall be able, doctor, to lie down on one side for seven months.'
'And will you be able, my good householder, to lie down on the other side for
seven months?'
'I shall be able, doctor, to lie down on the other side for seven months.'
'And will you be able, my good householder, to lie down on your back for seven
months?'
'I shall be able, doctor, to lie down on my back for seven months.'
Then Gîvaka Komârabhakka ordered the setthi, the householder, to lie down on his
bed, tied him fast to his bed, cut through the skin of the head, drew apart the
flesh on each side of the incision, pulled two worms out (of the wound), and
showed them to the people (saying), 'See, Sirs, these two worms, a small one and
a big one. The doctors who said, "On the fifth day the setthi, the householder,
will die," have seen this big worm, and how it would penetrate on the fifth day
to the brain of
p. 183
the setthi, the householder, and that when it had penetrated to the brain, the
setthi, the householder, would die. Those doctors have seen it quite rightly.
And the doctors who said, "On the seventh day the setthi, the householder, will
die," have seen this small worm, and how it would penetrate on the seventh day
to the brain of the setthi, the householder, and that when it had penetrated to
the brain, the setthi, the householder, would die. Those doctors have seen it
quite rightly.' (Speaking thus) he closed up the sides of the wound, stitched up
the skin on the head, and anointed it with salve.
19. And when seven days had elapsed, the setthi, the householder, said to Gîvaka
Komârabhakka: 'I am not able, doctor, to lie down on one side for seven months.'
'Did you not tell me, my good householder: "I shall be able, doctor, to lie down
on one side for seven months?"'
'It is true, doctor, I told you so indeed, but I shall die (if I do); I cannot
lie down on one side for seven months.'
'Well, my good householder, then you must lie down on the other side for seven
months.'
And when seven days had elapsed, the setthi, the householder, said to Gîvaka
Komârabhakka: 'I am not able, doctor, to lie down on the other side for seven
months.'
'Did you not tell me, &c.'
It is true, doctor, I told you so indeed, &c.'
'Well, my good householder, then you must lie down on your back for seven
months.'
And when seven days had elapsed, the setthi, the householder, said to Gîvaka
Komârabhakka: 'I am
p. 184
not able, doctor, to lie down on my back for seven months.'
Did you not tell me, &c.?'
It is true, doctor, I told you so indeed, &c.'
20. 'If I had not spoken thus to you, my good householder, you would not have
lain down even so long a time. But I knew beforehand, "After three times seven
days the setthi, the householder, will be restored to health." Arise, my good
householder, you are restored; look to it what fee you give me.'
'All that I possess shall be yours, doctor, and I will be your slave.'
'Nay, my good householder, do not give me all that you possess, and do not be my
slave; give one hundred thousand (kâhâpanas) to the king, and one hundred
thousand to me.'
Then the setthi, the householder, having regained his health, gave a hundred
thousand (kâhâpanas) to the king, and a hundred thousand to Gîvaka Komârabhakka.
21. At that time the son of the setthi at Benares, who used to amuse himself by
tumbling (mokkhakikâ 1), brought upon himself an entanglement of his
p. 185
intestines, in consequence of which he could digest neither the rice-milk which
he drank, nor the food of which he partook, nor was he able to ease himself in
the regular way. In consequence of that he grew lean, he looked disfigured and
discoloured, (his complexion became) more and more yellow, and the veins stood
out upon his skin.
Now the setthi of Benares thought: 'My son is suffering from such and such a
disease: he neither can digest the rice-milk which he drinks (&c., as above,
down to:) and the veins stand out upon his skin. What if I were to go to
Râgagaha and to ask the king for his physician Gîvaka to cure my son.'
And the setthi of Benares went to Râgagaha and repaired to the place where the
Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra was; having approached him he said to the Magadha
king Seniya Bimbisâra: 'My son, Your Majesty, is suffering from such and such a
disease: he neither can digest the rice-milk which he drinks (&c., as above,
down to:) and the veins stand out upon his skin. May it please Your Majesty to
order the physician Gîvaka to cure my son.'
22. Then the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra gave orders to Gîvaka Komârabhakka
(saying), 'Go, my dear Gîvaka; go to Benares, and cure the setthi's son at
Benares.'
Gîvaka Komârabhakka accepted this order of the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra (by
saying), 'Yes, Your Majesty,' went to Benares, and repaired to the place where
the son of the Benares setthi was; having approached him, and having carefully
p. r86
observed the change in his appearance, he ordered the people to leave the room,
drew the curtain, tied him fast to a pillar, placed his wife in front of him,
cut through the skin of the belly, drew the twisted intestines out, and showed
them to his wife (saying), 'Look here what the disease was, from which your
husband was suffering. This is the reason why he neither can digest the
rice-milk which he drinks, nor can digest the food of which he partakes, nor is
able to ease himself in the regular way, and why he has grown lean, and looks
disfigured and discoloured, and (why his complexion has become) more and more
yellow, and the veins have stood out upon his skin.' (Speaking thus), he
disentangled the twisted intestines, put the intestines back (into their right
position), stitched the skin together, and anointed it with salve. And before
long the Benares setthi's son regained his health.
Then the setthi of Benares (saying to himself), 'My son stands here restored to
health,' gave sixteen thousand (kâhâpanas) to Gîvaka Komârabhakka. And Gîvaka
Komârabhakka took those sixteen thousand (kâhâpanas), and went back again to
Râgagaha.
23. At that time king Paggota (of Uggenî) was suffering from jaundice. Many very
great and world-renowned physicians came and were not able to restore him to
health; they received much gold and went away. Then king Paggota sent a
messenger to the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra (with the following message): 'I
am suffering from such and such a disease; pray, Your Majesty 1, give
p. 187
orders to the physician Gîvaka; he will cure me.' Then the Magadha king Seniya
Bimbisâra gave orders to Gîvaka Komârabhakka (saying), 'Go, my dear Gîvaka; go
to Uggenî, and cure king Paggota.'
Gîvaka Komârabhakka accepted this order of the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra (by
saying), 'Yes, Your Majesty,' went to Uggenî and to the place where king Paggota
was, and having approached him, and having carefully observed the change in his
appearance, he said to king Paggota:
24. 'I will boil up some ghee, Sire, which Your Majesty must drink.'
'Nay, my good Gîvaka; do what you can for restoring me without giving me ghee; I
have an aversion and a distaste for ghee.'
Then Gîvaka Komârabhakka thought: 'The disease of this king is such a one that
it cannot be cured without ghee. What if I were to boil up ghee so that it takes
the colour, the smell, and the taste of an astringent decoction 1.'
Then Gîvaka Komârabhakka boiled some ghee with various drugs so as to give it
the colour, the smell, and the taste of an astringent decoction. And Gîvaka
Komârabhakka thought: 'When this king will shall have taken the butter and
digested it, it will make him vomit. This king is cruel; he might have me
killed. What if I were to take leave before
p. 188
hand.' And Gîvaka Komârabhakka went to the place where king Paggota was; having
approached him he said to king Paggota:
25. 'We physicians, Sire, draw out roots and gather medical drugs at such an
hour as this. May it please Your Majesty to send the following order to the
(royal) stables, and to the gates (of the town): "Let Gîvaka ride out on what
animal he likes; let him leave (the town) by what gate he likes; let him leave
at what hour he likes; let him enter again at what hour he likes."'
And king Paggota sent the following order to the (royal) stables and to the
gates (of the town): 'Let Gîvaka ride out on what animal he likes, &c.'
At that time king Paggota had a she-elephant, called Bhaddavatikâ, which could
travel fifty yoganas (in one day). And Gîvaka Komârabhakka gave the ghee to king
Paggota (saying), 'May Your Majesty drink this decoction.' Then, having made
king Paggota drink the ghee, Gîvaka Komârabhakka went to the elephant stable,
and hasted away from the town on the she-elephant Bhaddavatikâ.
26. And when king Paggota had drunk that ghee and was digesting it, it made him
vomit. Then king Paggota said to his attendants: 'That wicked Gîvaka, my good
Sirs, has given me ghee to drink. Go, my good Sirs, and seek the physician
Gîvaka.'
(The attendants answered), 'He has run away from the town on the she-elephant
Bhaddavatikâ.'
At that time king Paggota had a slave, Kâka by name, who could travel sixty
yoganas (in one day), who had been begotten by a non-human being. To this slave
Kâka; king Paggota gave the order: 'Go, my good Kâka, and call the physician
Gîvaka back
p. 189
[paragraph continues] (saying), "The king orders you to return, doctor." But
those physicians, my good Kâka, are cunning people; do not accept anything from
him.'
27. And the slave Kâka overtook Gîvaka Komârabhakka on his way, at Kosambî, when
he was taking his breakfast. And the slave Kâka said to Gîvaka Komârabhakka:
'The king orders you to return, doctor.'
(Gîvaka replied), 'Wait, my good Kâka, until we have taken our meal; here, my
good Kâka, eat.'
(Kâka said), 'Nay, doctor, the king has told me, "Those physicians, my good
Kâka, are cunning people; do not accept anything from him."'
At that time Gîvaka Komârabhakka, who had cut off some drug with his nail, was
eating an emblic myrobalan fruit and drinking water. And Gîvaka Komârabhakka
said to the slave Kâka: 'Here, my good Kâka, eat of this myrobalan fruit and
take some water.'
28. Then the slave Kâka thought: 'This physician eats the myrobalan and drinks
the water; there cannot be any harm in it;' so he ate half of the myrobalan and
drank some water. And that half myrobalan which (Gîvaka) had given him to eat,
opened his bowels on the spot.
Then the slave Kâka said to Gîvaka Komârabhakka: 'Can my life be saved, doctor?'
(Gîvaka replied), 'Be not afraid, my good Kâka, you will be quite well. But the
king is cruel; that king might have me killed; therefore do I not return.'
Speaking thus he handed over to Kâka the she-elephant Bhaddavatikâ and set out
for Râgagaha. Having reached Râgagaha in due course, he went to
p. 190
the place where the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra was; having approached him he
told the whole thing to the Magadha king Bimbisâra.
(Bimbisâra said), 'You have done right, my good Gîvaka, that you have not
returned; that king is cruel; he might have had you killed.'
29. And king Paggota, being restored to health, sent a messenger to Gîvaka
Komârabhakka (with this message), 'May Gîvaka come to me; I will grant him a
boon.'
(Gîvaka replied), 'Nay, Sir, may His Majesty remember my office.'
At that time king Paggota had a suit of Siveyyaka cloth 1, which was the best,
and the most excellent, and the first, and the most precious, and the noblest of
many cloths, and of many suits of cloth, and of many hundred suits of cloth, and
of many thousand suits of cloth, and of many hundred thousand suits of cloth.
And king Paggota sent this suit of Siveyyaka cloth to Gîvaka Komârabhakka. Then
Gîvaka Komârabhakka thought: 'This suit of Siveyyaka cloth which king Paggota
has sent me, is the best and the most excellent (&c., down to:) and of many
hundred thousand suits of cloth. Nobody else is worthy to receive it but He the
blessed, perfect
p. 191
[paragraph continues] Arahat-Buddha, or the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra.'
30. At that time a disturbance had befallen the humors of the Blessed One's
body. And the Blessed One said to the venerable Ânanda: 'A disturbance, Ânanda,
has befallen the humors of the Tathâgata's body; the Tathâgata wishes to take a
purgative.' Then the venerable Ânanda went to the place where Gîvaka
Komârabhakka was; having approached him he said to Gîvaka Komârabhakka:
'My good Gîvaka, a disturbance has befallen the humors of the Tathâgata's body;
the Tathâgata wishes to take a purgative.'
(Gîvaka replied), 'Well, venerable Ânanda, you ought to rub the Blessed One's
body with fat for a few days.'
And the venerable Ânanda, having rubbed the Blessed One's body with fat for some
days, went to the place where Gîvaka Komârabhakka was; having approached him he
said to Gîvaka Komârabhakka: 'I have rubbed, my good Gîvaka, the Tathâgata's
body with fat; do you now what you think fit.'
31. Then Gîvaka Komârabhakka thought: 'It is not becoming that I should give a
strong purgative to the Blessed One.' (Thinking thus), he imbued three handfuls
of blue lotuses with various drugs and went therewith to the place where the
Blessed One was; having approached him he offered one handful of lotuses to the
Blessed One (saying), 'Lord, may the Blessed One smell this first handful of
lotuses; that will purge the Blessed One ten times.' Thus he offered also the
second handful of lotuses to the Blessed One (saying), 'Lord, may the Blessed
One smell this second handful of lotuses;
p. 192
that will purge the Blessed One ten times.' Thus he offered also the third
handful of lotuses to the Blessed One (saying), 'Lord, may the Blessed One smell
this third handful of lotuses; that will purge the Blessed One ten times. Thus
the Blessed One will have purged full thirty times.' And Gîvaka Komârabhakka,
having given to the Blessed One a purgative for full thirty times, bowed down
before the Blessed One, and passed round him with his right side towards him,
and went away.
32. And Gîvaka Komârabhakka, when he was out of doors, thought: 'I have given
indeed to the Blessed One a purgative for full thirty times, but as the humors
of the Tathâgatha's body are disturbed, it will not purge the Blessed One full
thirty times; it will purge the Blessed One only twenty-nine times. But the
Blessed One, having purged, will take a bath; the bath will purge the Blessed
One once; thus the Blessed One will be purged full thirty times.'
And the Blessed One, who understood by the power of his mind this reflection of
Gîvaka Komârabhakka, said to the venerable Ânanda: 'Gîvaka Komârabhakka, Ânanda,
when he was out of doors, has thought: "I have given indeed (&c., as above, down
to:) thus the Blessed One will be purged full thirty times." Well, Ânanda, get
warm water ready.'
The venerable Ânanda accepted this order of the Blessed One (saying), 'Yes,
Lord,' and got warm water ready.
33. And Gîvaka Komârabhakka went to the place where the Blessed One was; having
approached him and respectfully saluted the Blessed One, he sat down near him;
sitting near him Gîvaka Komârabhakka said to the Blessed One: 'Lord, has the
p. 193
[paragraph continues] Blessed One purged?' (Buddha replied), 'I have purged,
Gîvaka' (Gîvaka said), 'When I was out of doors, Lord, I thought: "I have given
indeed, &c." Lord, may the Blessed One take a bath, may the Happy One take a
bath.' Then the Blessed One bathed in that warm water; the bath purged the
Blessed One once; thus the Blessed One was purged full thirty times.
And Gîvaka Komârabhakka said to the Blessed One: 'Lord, until the Blessed One's
body is completely restored, you had better abstain from liquid food.' And ere
long the Blessed One's body was completely restored.
34. Then Gîvaka Komârabhakka took that suit of Siveyyaka cloth and went to the
place where the Blessed One was; having approached him, and having respectfully
saluted the Blessed One, he sat down near him. Sitting near him, Gîvaka
Komârabhakka said to the Blessed One: 'Lord, I ask one boon of the Blessed One.'
(Buddha replied), 'The Tathâgatas, Gîvaka, are above granting boons (before they
know what they are).' (Gîvaka said), 'Lord, it is a proper and unobjectionable
demand.'--'Speak, Gîvaka.'
'Lord, the Blessed One wears only pamsukûla robes (robes made of rags taken from
a dust heap or a cemetery 1), and so does the fraternity of Bhikkhus. Now, Lord,
this suit of Siveyyaka cloth has been sent to me by king Paggota, which is the
best, and the most excellent, and the first, and the most precious, and the
noblest of many cloths and of
p. 194
many suits of cloth, and of many hundred suits of cloth, and of many thousand
suits of cloth, and of many hundred thousand suits of cloth. Lord, may the
Blessed One accept from me this suit of Siveyyaka cloth, and may he allow to the
fraternity of Bhikkhus to wear lay robes 1.'
The Blessed One accepted the suit of Siveyyaka cloth. And the Blessed One
taught, incited, animated, and gladdened Gîvaka Komârabhakka by religious
discourse. And Gîvaka Komârabhakka, having been taught, incited, animated, and
gladdened by the Blessed One by religious discourse, rose from his seat,
respectfully saluted the Blessed One, passed round him with his right side
towards him, and went away.
35. And the Blessed One, after having delivered a religious discourse in
consequence of that, thus addressed the Bhikkhus:
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to wear lay robes. He who likes may wear pamsukûla
robes; he who likes may accept lay robes. Whether you are pleased with the one
or with the other sort 2 of robes, I approve it.'
Now the people at Râgagaha heard, The Blessed One has allowed the Bhikkhus to
wear lay robes.' Then those people became glad and delighted (because they
thought), 'Now we will bestow gifts (on the Bhikkhus) and acquire merit by good
works,
p. 195
since the Blessed One has allowed the Bhikkhus to wear lay robes.' And in one
day many thousands of robes were presented at Râgagaha (to the Bhikkhus).
And the people in the country heard, 'The Blessed One has allowed the Bhikkhus
to wear lay robes.' Then those people became glad (&c., as above, down to:) And
in one day many thousands of robes were presented through the country also (to
the Bhikkhus).
36. At that time the Samgha had received a mantle. They told this thing to the
Blessed One.
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to wear a mantle.'
They had got a silk mantle.
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to wear a silk mantle.'
They had got a fleecy counterpane 1.
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to use a fleecy counterpane.'
__________________
End of the first Bhânavâra.




Footnotes
171:1 Compare Mahâ-sudassana Sutta I, 3, and Mahâ-parinibbâna Sutta V, 42.
171:2 See above, VI, 30, 6; Mahâ-parinibbâna Sutta II, 16 seq.
173:1 This royal prince Abhaya' (Abhaya kumâra) is mentioned by the Gainas under
the name of Abhayakumâra as the son of Seniya, i.e. Bimbisâra. See Jacobi,
Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morg. Gesellschaft, vol. xxxiv, p. 187.
173:2 The word which we have translated 'Your Highness' (deva, lit. 'God') is
the same which is used by all persons except by Samanas in addressing a king.
174:1 Evidently the redactors of this passage referred the first part of the
compound Komârabhakka to the royal prince (kumâra) Abhaya, and intended
Komârabhakka to be understood as 'a person whose life is supported by a royal
prince.' So also the name Kumâra-Kassapa is explained in the Gâtaka commentary
(Rh. D., 'Buddhist Birth Stories,' p. 204). The true meaning of the name,
however, appears to have been different, for in Sanskrit kumârabhrityâ and
kaumârabhritya are technical terms for the part of the medical science which
comprises the treatment of infants (see Wise, 'Commentary on the Hindu System of
Medicine,' p. 3). We believe, therefore, that this surname Komârabhakka really
means,' Master of the kaumârabhritya science.'
176:1 See the note at I, 7, 1.
178:1 One prasrita or prasriti ('handful') is said by the Sanskrit
lexicographers to be equal to two palas. About the pala, which according to the
ghee measure (ghritapramâna) of Magadha was the thirty-second part of a prastha,
see the Atharva-parisishta 35, 3, ap. Weber, Ueber den Vedakalender namens
Jyotisham, p. 82. Compare also Rh. D., 'Ancient Coins and Measures of Ceylon,'
pp. 18, 19.
184:1 Mokkhakikâ is explained in a passage quoted by Childers sub voce and taken
from the Sumaṅgala Vilâsinî on the 4th Magghima Sîla. (Compare Rh. D., 'Buddhist
Suttas from the Pâli,' p. 193.) The passage from Buddhaghosa is however not
devoid of ambiguity. He says: 'Mokkhakikâ is the feat of turning over and over.
One gets hold of a staff in the air, and places his head on the ground; turning
himself upside down. This is what is meant (by the word mokkhakikâ).' It is not
clear whether the performer suspends himself by his feet from a horizontal bar
fixed at a height above the ground; or whether he turns a sommersault, holding
at the same time a stick in his hands. The latter seems p. 185 more in
accordance with the phrase 'holding a stick in the air' (âkâse dandam gahetvâ)
and with the phrase 'turning over and over' (samparivattanam).
r86:1 This passage in which king Paggota is represented as addressing king
Bimbisâra by the respectful expression 'deva' may in our p. 187 opinion be
brought forward against Professor Jacobi's conjecture (Zeitschrift der Deutschen
Morg. Gesellschaft, vol. xxxiv, p. 188) that Bimbisâra was merely a feudal chief
under the supreme rule of king Paggota. The Pitaka texts are always very exact
in the selection of the terms of respect in which the different persons address
each other.
187:1 See, about the decoctions used in medicine, VI, 4.
190:1 Buddhaghosa gives two explanations of Siveyyakam dussayugam. 'Either
Siveyyaka cloth means the cloth used in the Uttarakuru country for veiling the
dead bodies when they are brought to the burying-ground (sivathikâ). (A certain
kind of birds take the bodies to the Himavat mountains in order to eat them, and
throw the cloths away. When eremites find them there, they bring them to the
king.) Or Siveyyaka cloth means a cloth woven from yarn which skilful women in
the Sivi country spin.' No doubt the latter explication is the right one.
193:1 Buddhaghosa: 'To the Blessed One during the twenty years from his Sambodhi
till this story happened no one had presented a lay robe.'
194:1 Gahapatikîvâra may be translated also, as Buddhaghosa explains it, 'a robe
presented by lay people.'
194:2 Itarîtara ('the one or the other') clearly refers to the two sorts of
robes mentioned before, not, as Childers (s.v. itarîtaro) understands it, to
whether the robes are good or bad. Compare also chap. 3, § 2.
195:1 See Abhidhânapp. v. 312.