Now, when the Deva of the tree heard these greatly distressed, and in much perplexity; and tho himself: "What power have I to give this man a depends on his previous conduct and the destiny him from his former works. And yet men persist this tree, in which from old times I have taken my the power to do this or do that, and if I do not giv he threatens to cut down my abode. Alas! alas! Deva, thus weeping and lamenting, resolved to go str Sâkra, King of the Gods, and lay his case before him. with he ascended up to the Trâyastriñshas Heaven, down at Sâkra's feet in humble adoration, he spake hail! illustrious King of Heaven! Oh! that you would A certain nobleman threatens to cut down the tree in dwell, and root it up, destroy and burn it, unless I gran request that he may have a son! Pity me, illustrious kin me some mode of escape; nor permit that tree to be thus d and burnt for want of some expedient by which the desire nobleman may be gratified!" Then the Lord of Heaver Chu),1 Sâkra Mahâ Râja, spake thus to the tree Deva: "U such words as these, oh Deva! as though I had power to p such a boon for this nobleman; for all this depends entir his own individual merit. But fear not, nor tremble thu Deva! for I will forthwith examine into this matter, and see the character of his destiny is."

Now, at this time there was a certain Deva Putra dwellin the Trâyastriñshas Heaven, whose sojourn there was just ab to expire, as was known by the five signs of decadence, which these the flowers in the head-chaplet begin to fade; there exud a perspiration from beneath the arms; the garments begin grow old and soiled; the brightness of the body pales; and th Palace couch of that Deva no longer has charms for him, but h wanders restlessly this way and that.

1 Tien-chu, as is well known, is the expression used by the R. C. Missionaries in China for "God".

Then Sâkra, seeing this was the case with the Deva Putra in question, addressed him thus: "My son! your destiny here is fulfilled, and, according to your Karma, derived from former births, you are now about to descend to earth and to be born amongst men! but you shall be born in a distinguished family!" Then the Deva Putra replied: "Would that I knew in what place and position I am about to be born." Then Sâkra Râja answered: "In Jambudwîpa there is a certain city called Benares, in which dwells a nobleman very rich and prosperous; his name is Supra Buddha; but though so rich, he despises all because he has no child! Pray, then, make up your mind to be born in that city and in his house!" Then that Deva Putra, who had long set his mind on the acquisition of final deliverance, answered Sâkra Râja thus : "Great and illustrious King of Heaven, I desire to be born in a house not far from where Prabhâpâla Deva, who lately inhabited this Heaven, now abides; for he has arrived at perfect enlightenment, and is now able to deliver all who come to him from the misery incident on continual transmigrations. I prefer, therefore, not to be born in the house of that rich man of Benares." To him Sâkra Râja replied: "But it so happens that in the neighbourhood of that very place, the enlightened-one is about to preach the excellent Law, so that here is your opportunity at once to become his disciple and arrive at the Deliverance you seek." Then the Deva Putra consented to be born there. On this, the mighty Sâkra addressed the tree Deva, and said: "Go and tell that nobleman that his prayer is answered! he shall have a son, who shall in his turn leave his home and become a Shaman."

And so the Deva Putra descended from Heaven and was incarnated in the womb of the nobleman's wife, on which she acquainted her Lord with the fact, and invited him to rejoice in prospect of the birth of a child. Then the Lord nourished and cherished his wife, giving her every sort of food and nutritious support, in order to procure a propitious birth; he also distributed alms at the four gates of the city to all the poor, with every other necessary. So, at the end of the ninth month, the child was born-his skin bright as gold, his head round, his nose like that of the parrot, etc.—of perfect beauty. He had four nurses appointed to take special charge of him. And then, when the time came to fix his name, they called him "Yasada", because of the glory that appeared

above his head when he was born. And so he remained the only child of his parents. And thus he gradually increased in stature and also in all useful knowledge.

Meantime, his father built for him three magnificent palaces, one for the winter, one for the summer, and one for the spring and autumn. He was supplied with every sort of pleasurable indulgence, and surrounded by an ever watchful retinue.

Now it so happened that the world-honoured one had just begun to preach the law at Benares, when Sakra Râja, descending from heaven, came to the palace of Yasada, and entering into the inner apartments stood there, and addressed the youth as follows: "Dear Yasada! it is full time for you now to leave your house and become a religious mendicant!" Yasada having heard the summons in silence, immediately at dawn ordered his chariot to be prepared for him to go forth in it to view the beauties of the adjoining gardens !

Now it so happened that on this very morning, the worldhonoured one, having robed himself in the orthodox way, carrying his alms-dish in his hands, proceeded to the city of Benares in company with Asvajit, to beg his meal for the day. Walking along with a dignified gait he entered the city, and as it so happened, he encountered Yasada as he was proceeding towards the gardens. The latter, beholding the beautiful appearance of Buddha's person, was filled with inexpressible joy; he descended from his chariot and bowed down in reverence at his feet, and having three times circumambulated him in token of respect, he again mounted his chariot and proceeded on his way.

Then Buddha, with a gentle smile on his face, addressed Asvajit, and said: "Did you see this youth, Yasada, and the way in which he behaved?" Asvajit replied in the affirmative; on which the world-honoured one continued: "On this very evening this youth, Yasada, will become a recluse, and soon will become a Rahat."

Now, Yasada having gone round the gardens, it happened that Sâkra transformed himself into an old and decrepit woman, just dead, and ready to be buried, from whose body the worms came out, and entered in everywhere, feeding on the carcass. Yasada, beholding this disgusting sight, his heart was filled with sorrow, and he thought thus: "What pleasure can there be in any such condition as this." He returned to his palace full of these thoughts,

and lay down to sleep. Then Sâkra, by his Divine power, caused all the women to be overpowered with sleep, and the lamps of the palace to burn with a sort of supernatural light. Meantime, Buddha, perceiving by his innate power that Yasada on this night would become a recluse, proceeded towards a certain river called Varnâ (or Varanâ). [This signifies "to separate and exclude".] Crossing over this river, he made for himself a small Pansal (leaf-hut), and there sat down cross-legged. Yasada having awoke, and seeing all the women lying about in disorder, arising from his couch, passed out. Meantime, Sâkra caused a bright light to go before him as he pursued his way to his Father's ́ palace, and there seeing the women lying about in disorder, as in his own, he proceeded on and came to the gates of the palace, which opened of themselves without noise; then, proceeding to the gate of the city, which was called Bhadra-pati, this too opened of itself, without any noise; on which Yasada advanced slowly to the bank of the river Varanâ. Now, at this time the river had suddenly become very shallow, and all along the banks the birds were feeding in great numbers; when lo! the light which had gone before him suddenly disappeared, and Yasada was left alone in the gloom. He then began to bewail his unhappy condition, on which Buddha, from the other bank of the river, caused his body to emit a dazzling brightness, and with his arms stretched out towards Yasada, he exclaimed Welcome! welcome! oh! Yasada. There is nothing to fear here! there is no danger here! nought but rest and peace! and perfect independence!" and so the Gâtha says:

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Tathâgata, having perceived his state of mind,

And having heard his lamentation, accosted him thus-
'Come, then! come, then; oh, my Yasada!

Take this way towards the fearless Nirvâna!
The world-honour'd one perceives all things,

The world-honour'd one knows all things,

He can, therefore, read the thoughts of every heart;
And so his words are full of hidden meaning.'

Then Yasada, hearing these words, lost all fear, and experienced a feeling of perfect rest, just as the thirsty and way-worn traveller, who lights upon a lake of pure water, cool and refreshing, bathing