after, at the termination of one hundred and fifty-six years, the monarch Duṭṭha Gámaní, son of Kákavaņņa, will construct such and such edifices in such and such manner." The delighted monarch, overjoyed at hearing this (inscription) read, clapped his hands; and early on the following morning repairing to the magnificent Mahámégaha garden, and convening the priesthood, thus addressed them: "I will build for you a palace like unto that of the dévas send to the world of the dévas, and procure for me a plan of their palace." Accordingly they despatched thither eight priests, all sanctified characters. : "In the time of the divine sage Kassapa, a certain brahman named Asóka 3had made a vow that he would give daily alms sufficient for eight priests. He said to his slave-woman named Bharaņi, “Provide them always." She, during the whole course of her life, zealously providing them; thereafter dying, was born again in a superb and delightful residence in the (Cátummahárájika) heavens, surrounded always by a heavenly host of a thousand attendants. Her enchanting golden palace was in length twelve yójanas and in circumference forty-eight yójanas; having nine stories, provided with a thousand apartments and a thousand dormitories. It had four faces, each having in number a thousand windows, like so many eyes; and the eves of the roof were decorated with a fringe tinkling (with gems). In the centre of this palace was situated the Ambalaṭṭhika hall, decorated with a profusion of banners all around. The aforesaid eight théras, in their way to the Távatiņsa heavens, seeing this palace, immediately made a drawing of it on a leaf with a vermilion pencil; and returning from thence, presented the drawing to the priesthood, who sent it to the court of the king. The monarch, on examining the same, delighted therewith, repairing to the celebrated garden (Mahámégha), according to the plan of that renowned palace, constructed the pre-eminent Lóhapásá da. The munificent rájá at the very commencement of the undertaking deposited at each of the four gates eight lacs (to remunerate the workmen). He deposited also at each gate, severally, a thousand suits of clothing, as well as vessels filled with sugar, buffalo butter, palm sugar, and honey; and announced that on this occasion it was not fitting to exact unpaid labour; placing therefore high value on the work performed, he paid (the workmen) with money. This quadrangular palace was one hundred cubits long on each of its sides, and the same in height. In this supreme palace there were nine stories, and in each of them one hundred apartments. All these apartments were highly embellished; they had festoons of beads, resplendent (like) gems. The flower-ornaments appertaining thereto were also set with gems, and the tinkling festoons were of 'gold. In that palace there were a thousand dormitories having windows with ornaments (like unto) jewels, which were bright as eyes. Having heard of the beauty of the conveyance used by the females attached to the déva Vessavaṇa, he (Duṭṭha Gámaní) caused a gilt hall to be constructed in the middle of the palace in the form (of that conveyance). The hall was supported on golden pillars, representing lions and other animals, as 144 'forty." 3" was wont to give ticket-food." 4 66 cloth." a (proper)." 2 "Now." "finished with silver; and the cornices thereof were embellished with gems." 7 16 8 Dele. well as the dévatás. At the extremity of this hall, it was ornamented with 'festoons of pearls, and all around with beads as before described. Exactly in the centre of this palace, which was adorned with (all) the seven treasures, there was a beautiful and enchanting ivory throne, floored with boards. On one side (of this throne formed) exclusively of ivory, there was the emblem of the sun in gold; on another, the moon in silver; and (on the third) the stars in pearls. From the golden corners or streaks, in various places as most suitable in that hall, bunches of flowers, made of various gems, were (suspended).3 On this most enchanting throne, covered with a cloth of inestimable value, an ivory fan of exquisite beauty was placed. On the footstool (of the throne), a pair of slippers ornamented with beads, and above the throne the white canopy or parasol of dominion, mounted with a silver handle, glittered. The eight "mangalika" thereof (of the canopy) were like unto the seven treasures, and amidst the gems and pearls were rows of figures of quadrupeds; at the points of the canopy were suspended a row of silver bells. The edifice, the canopy, the throne, and the (inner) hall were all most superb. The king caused it to be provided suitably with couches and chairs of great value; and in like manner with carpets of woollen fabric: even the ladle (usually made of a cocoanut shell) of the rice boiler was of gold. Who shall describe the other articles used in that palace? This edifice, surrounded with a highly polished wall, and having four embattled gates, shone forth like the (Véjayanta) palace in the Távatipsa heavens. This building was covered with brazen tiles; hence it acquired the appellation of the "brazen palace." At the completion of this palace the rájá assembled the priesthood. They attended accordingly, as in the instance of the Maricavațți festival. There, on the first floor, the "puthujjana" priests (who had not attained the state of sanctification) exclusively arranged themselves. On the second floor, the priests who had acquired the knowledge of the "tépiṭaka." On the three succeeding floors, commencing with the third, those arranged themselves who had acquired the several grades of sanctity, commencing with the "sotápatti." On the four highest floors, the "arhat" priests stationed themselves. The rájá having bestowed this palace on the priesthood, pouring the water of donation on their right hand; and, according to the former procedure, shaving kept up an alms-festival of seven days. Independent of the cost of the invaluable articles provided for this palace-festival, the expenditure incurred by this munificent monarch amounted to thirty kótis. Some truly wise men, even from perishable and unprofitable wealth derive (the rewards of) imperishable and profitable charity. By setting aside the pride of wealth, and seeking their own spiritual welfare, they bestow like unto him (Duṭṭha Gámaní) largely in charity. The twenty-seventh chapter in the Mahávapsa, entitled "The Festival of the Lóhapásáda," composed equally for the delight and affliction of righteous men. * The fan borne by the Buddhist priests; which, till very recently, has been bestowed in Ceylon on the appointments of a chief priest, as the official emblem of his office.-[Note by Mr. Turnour.] 1" festoons of pearls all around, and cornices." 2 hall." Add "and between golden creepers there were representations of the Játakas." Eight objects considered as auspicious: namely, a lion, a bull, an elephant, a water-jar, a fan, a flag, a trumpet or chank, and a lamp, 5 "made of the seven gems." even the laver and its ladle (for washing the hands and feet of priests, kept at the door of the temple) were made of gold." 7 * Dele. 91-87 8 Dele. 9"the welfare of others." P* CHAPTER XXVIII. THEREAFTER, this monarch caused a splendid and magnificent festival of offerings to the bo-tree to be celebrated, expending a sum of one hundred thousand. Subsequently, while 'residing in this capital, noticing the stone pillar planted on the (intended) site of the Ruvanvęli thúpa, and recurring to the former tradition, delighted with the thought, he said: "I will construct the great thúpa." Reascending his upstair palace, and having partaken his evening repast, reclining on his bed, he thus meditated: "The inhabitants of this land are still suffering from the war waged for the subjection of the damilas: it is not fitting to exact compulsory labour; but in abandoning the exercise of that power, how shall I, who am about to build the great thúpa, procure bricks without committing any such oppression?" The tutelar deity who guarded the canopy of dominion knew the thought of the personage who was thus meditating. Thereupon a discussion arose among the dévas. Sakka, obtaining a knowledge thereof, thus addressed himself to Vissakamma: "The rájá Gámaní is meditating about the bricks for the cétiya. Repairing to the bank of the deep river (Kadamba), a yójana from the capital, there do thou cause bricks to be produced." Vissakamma, who had been thus enjoined by Sakka, proceeding thither caused bricks to be produced. 466 In the morning a huntsman repaired with his dogs to the wilderness in that neighbourhood. The dévata of that spot presented himself to the huntsman in the form of 3a "gódha." The sportsman chasing the " godha” came upon, and saw the bricks; and from the circumstance of the "gódha vanishing, he there thus thought: "Our sovereign is desirous of constructing the great thúpa, this is a (miraculous) offering to him." Hastening (to the king) he reported the same. Hearing this agreeable report of the huntsman, the overjoyed monarch, delighting in acts of benevolence towards his people, conferred on him great favours. In a village named A'cáraviṭṭhigáma, situated three yójanas to the northeast of the capital, on a space of ground sixteen karísa in extent, "golden sprouts of various descriptions sprung up, in height one span, (with a root) one inch under ground. The villagers discovering this ground covered with gold, taking a cupful of this gold and repairing to the king, reported (the circumstance). At the distance of seven yójanas, in the south-east direction from the capital, on the bank of the river (Mahaveliganga) in the Tambapiṭṭhi division, a "brazen metal rose to the surface. The villagers taking a cupful of these brazen sprouts, and repairing to the rája, reported the circumstance. In the south-east direction from the capital, at the village Sumanavápi, distant four yójanas, a quantity of gems rose to the surface; among which there were intermingled the cinnamon stone and sapphire. The villagers taking the same in a cup, and repairing to the rájá, reported the circumstance. Eight yojanas to the southward of the town, in a cave called Ambaṭṭhakóla, "entering the capital (one day)." but on remitting those revenues." 2 "therefore that I should levy taxes, ♦ “iguana.” 3.66 'an iguana." "were found nuggets of gold of divers sizes, the largest about a span and the smallest an inch long. The inhabitants discovering that the ground was full of gold, took a plateful thereof to the king, and reported the matter to him." "to the east of the city, beyond," &c. 7" mine of copper." "intermingled with." silver was produced. A certain merchant of the capital, who was proceed. ing to the Malaya division to procure saffron and ginger in the said Malaya division, taking many carts with him, wishing to get a switch, stopping his carts in the neighbourhood of this cave, ascended a hill. Observing a fruit of the size of a 1" cați" attached to a branch of a jak tree, which fruit was bending with its weight, and resting on a rock : severing the same (from the branch) with an adze, at the stalk of the fruit, and saying to himself, "This is precious: I must give it (to the priesthood) ;" in the fervour of his devotion, he set up the call of refection. Four sanctified priests presented themselves. This delighted and devoted person, bowing down to them and causing them to be seated, with his 'adze paring all round the point at which the stalk adhered to the fruit (so that no skin was perceptible), and pulling out (that stalk) he poured into their dishes the juice with which (the cavity of) the stalk was filled. The four brimming dishes of jak fruit juice he presented to them. They accepting the same, departed. And (the merchant again) shouted out the call of refection; and four other sanctified characters presented themselves there. Receiving their dishes also from them, he filled them with the pods of the jak fruit. Three of them departed: one remained. This particular (priest) in order that he might point out the silver to him,' seating himself at the mouth of the cave partook of the jak pods. The merchant having ate as much of the rest of the pods as he wished, taking the residue in a jar, he followed the footsteps of the priest. Having reached this spot, he beheld the théra there, and showed him the usual attentions; and the théra pointed out to him the path to the entrance of the cave. (The merchant,) bowing down to the théra and proceeding by that (path), discovered the cave. Stopping at the mouth of the cave, he perceived the silver. By chopping it with his 'adze, he satisfied himself that it was silver. Taking a 10 handful of the silver and hasting to the carts, and leaving his carts there, this eminent merchant conveying this handful of silver, quickly repairing to Anuradhapura, and exhibiting it to the rájá, explained the particulars. To the westward of the capital, at the distance of five yójanas, at the Uruvélapaṭṭana, pearls of the size of ""nelli" fruit, together with coral beads, rose to the shores from the ocean. Some fishermen seeing these, gathering them into one heap, and taking (some of) the pearls and coral in a dish, and repairing to the king, reported the event to him. To the northward of the capital, at the distance of seven yójanas, in the12 stream flowing 13through the broken embankment of the tank of Pélivápigáma, four superb gems, in size a span and four inches, and of the colour of the ummá flower, were produced. A huntsman discovering these, repairing to the court, reported, "Such and such gems have been discovered by me." It was on the same day that this most fortunate monarch heard of the 15manifestation of these bricks and other treasures, to be used in the construction of the Maháthúpa. The overjoyed (king) conferred favours on those persons (who brought the news of these miraculous productions), 16as in the "1" A'malaka (emblic myrobalan), interspersed with coral." 12 Insert "sandbanks of the." 1564 'discovery." 13" into." 16" and placing them as guards thereof." former instance (to the huntsman); and maintaining them under the royal protection, caused all these things to be brought (to the capital). Thus, he who delights in the accumulation of deeds of piety, not being deterred by the apprehension of its being attended by intolerable personal sacrifices, readily finds a hundred sources of wealth. From this (example) the really religious man should devote himself to (deeds of) piety. The twenty-eighth chapter in the Mahávansa, entitled "The Acquirement of the Materials for the construction of the Maháthúpa," composed equally for the delight and affliction of righteous men. CHAPTER XXIX. THUS the collection of the materials being completed, (Duṭṭha Gámaní) on the full moon day of the month of "vesákha," and under the constellation "vesákha," commenced the Maháthúpa. The protector of the land, removing the stone pillar' (which bore the inscription); and in order that (the structure) might endure for ages, excavated by various expedients a foundation for the thúpa there, one hundred cubits deep. This monarch, who could discriminate possibilities from impossibilities, causing by means of his soldiers (literally giants) round stones to be brought, had them well beaten down with pounders; and on the said stones being pounded down accordingly, to ensure greater durability to the foundation, he caused (that layer of stones) to be trampled by enormous elephants, whose feet were protected in leathern cases. At Satatatintaka,-the spot where the aërial river (flowing out of the Anótatta lake) descends, spreading the spray of its cataract over a space of thirty yójanas in extent.-there the clay is of the finest description: the same being thus exquisitely fine, it is called the "navaníta " clay. This clay, sanctified sámanéra priests (by their supernatural powers) brought from thence. The monarch spread this clay there, on the layer of stones trod down (by elephants); and over this clay he laid the bricks; over them a coat of 'astringent cement: over that, a layer of "kuruvinda" stones; over that a plate of iron; on the top of that, the ruler of the land spread 'the incense of the devas brought by the sámaņéras from Himavanta; over that layer of 66 phalika" stone, he laid a course of common stones. In every part of the work the clay used was that which is called the "navanita." Above the layer of common stones he laid a plate of brass, eight inches thick, embedded in a cement made of the gum of the "kapittha" tree, diluted in the water of the small red cocoanut. Over that, the lord of chariots laid a plate of silver, seven inches thick, cemented in vermilion paint, mixed in the "tila" oil. The monarch, in his zealous devotion to the cause of religion, having made these preparatory arrangements at the spot where the Maháthúpa was to be built; on the fourteenth day of the bright half of the month "ásáļhi," causing the priesthood to be assembled, thus addressed them: "Revered lords! initiative of the construction of the great cétiya, I shall to-morrow lay 'Insert "that was there." 2" he might in every way make the thúpa firm and stable, digged a foundation for it seven cubits deep." Most MSS. have satta, "seven"; the Țíká has sata, "hundred." a "the advantages and disadvantages of things." "rough." Insert "marumba, a fragrant (substance) brought," &c. 8"a" Insert "(butter)." 644 an iron network." "and over that." |