Page:Buddhist Birth Stories, or, Jātaka Tales.djvu/143

Rh this portend evil to the world or good? — tell us the cause of it." The Teacher hearing their words said, "Fear not nor be troubled, there is no danger to you from this. The wise Sumedha, concerning whom I predicted this day, 'Hereafter he will be a Buddha named Gotama,' is now mastering the Perfections, and while he masters them and turns them about, by the power of his piety the whole ten thousand worlds with one accord quake and thunder." Therefore it is said,

178. All the multitude that was there in attendance on the Buddha, Trembling, fell swooning there upon the ground.

179. Many thousands of waterpots and many hundred jars Were crushed and pounded there and dashed against each other.

180. Excited, trembling, terrified, confused, their sense disordered, The multitudes assembling, approached the Buddha.

181. Say, will it be good or evil to the world ? The whole world is afflicted, ward off this (danger), thou Omniscient One.

182. Then the Great Sage Dīpankara enjoined upon them, Be confident, be not afraid at this earthquaking:

183. He concerning whom I predicted this day, He will be a Buddha in this world. The same is investigating the time-honoured Conditions followed by the Buddhas.

184. Therefore while he is investigating fully these Conditions, the groundwork of a Buddha, The earth of ten thousand worlds is shaken in the world of men and of angels.

And the people hearing the Buddha's words, joyful and delighted, taking with them garlands, perfumes and unguents, left the city of Ramma, and went to the Bodhisatta. And having offered their flowers and other presents, and bowed to him and respectfully saluted him, they returned to the city of Ramma. And the Bodhisatta, having made a strenuous exertion and resolve, rose from the seat on which he sat. Therefore it is said,

185. Having heard the Buddha's word, their minds were straightway calmed. All of them approaching me again paid me their homage.