..续本文上一页atic contemplation. [7]

　　Seated beneath a jambu-tree,

　　he considered the state of his mind

　　and the fruits of his mortification.

　　His body had become weaker,

　　nor had his fasts advanced him in his search for salvation,

　　and therefore when he saw that is was not the right path,

　　he proposed to abandon it. [8]

　　He went to bathe in the Neranyjaro river,

　　but when he strove to leave the water

　　he could not rise on account of his weakness.

　　Then espying the branch of a tree and taking hold of it,

　　he raised himself and left the stream.

　　But while returning to his abode,

　　he staggered and fell to the ground,

　　and the five bhikkhus thought he was dead. [9]

　　There was a chief herdsman living near the grove

　　whose eldest daughter was called Nanda;

　　and Nanda happened to pass by the spot where the Blessed One had swooned,

　　and bowing down before him she offered him rice-milk and he accepted the gift.

　　When he had partaken of the rice-milk all his limbs were refreshed,

　　his mind became clear agin,

　　and he was strong to receive the highest enlightenment. [10]

　　After this occurrence, the Bodhisatta again took some food.

　　His disciples, having witnessed the scene of Nanda

　　and observing the change in his mode of living, were filled with suspicion.

　　They were convinced that Siddhattha”s religious zeal was flagging

　　and that he whom they had hitherto revered as their Master

　　had become oblivious of his high purpose. [11]

　　When the Bodhisatta saw the bhikkhus turning away from him,

　　he felt sorry for their lack of confidence,

　　and was aware of the loneliness in which he lived. [12]

　　Suppressing his grief he wandered on alone,

　　and his disciples said:

　　"Siddhattha leaves us to seek a more pleasant abode." [13]

　　Mara the Evil One

　　The Holy One directed his steps to that blessed Bodhi-tree

　　beneath whose shade he was to accomplish his search. [1]

　　As he walked, the earth shook and a brilliant light transfigured the world. [2]

　　When he sat down the heavens resounded with joy

　　and all living beings were filled with good cheer. [3]

　　Mara alone, lord of the five desires,

　　bringer of death and enemy of truth,

　　was grieved and rejoiced not.

　　With his three daughters, Tanha, Raga and Arati, the tempters,

　　and with his host of evil demons,

　　he went to the place where the great samana sat.

　　But Sakyamuni heeded him not. [4]

　　Mara uttered fear-inspiring threats and raised a whirl-wind

　　so that the skies were darkened and the ocean roared and trembled.

　　But the Blessed One under the Bodhi-tree remained calm and feared not.

　　The Enlightened One knew that no harm could befall him. [5]

　　The three daughters of Mara tempted the Bodhisatta, but he paid no attention to them,

　　and when Mara saw that he could kindle no desire in the heart of the victorious samana,

　　he ordered all the evil spirits at his command to attack him and overawe the great muni. [6]

　　But the Blessed One watched them as one would watch the harmless games of children.

　　All the fierce hatred of the evil spirits was of no avail.

　　The flames of hell became wholesome breezes of perfume,

　　and the angry thunderbolts were changed into lotus-blossoms. [7]

　　When Mara saw this, he fled away with his army from the Bodhi-tree,

　　whilst from above a rain of heavenly flowers fell,

　　and voices of good spirits were heard: [8]

　　"Behold the great muni! his heart unmoved by hatred.

　　The wicked Mara”s host ”gainst him did not prevail.

　　Pure is he and wise, loving and full of mercy. [9]

　　"As the rays of the sun drown the darkness of the world,

　　so the who perseveres in his search will find the truth

　　and the truth will enlighten him." [10]

　　Enlightenment

　　The Bodhisatta, having put Mara to flight,

　　gave himself up to meditation.

　　All the miseries of the world, the evils produced by evil deeds

　　and the …

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