Page:Buddhist Birth Stories, or, Jātaka Tales.djvu/451

Rh And thinking he ought to go that day to the door of the Benāres Treasurer's house, he washed his face with water from the Anotatta lake, and used a toothpick made from the betel-creeper, put on his lower robe as he stood on the table-land of Mount Manosilā, fastened on his girdle, robed himself, took a begging-bowl he created for the purpose, went through the sky, and stood at the door of the house just as the breakfast was being taken in to the Bodisat.

As soon as the Bodisat saw him, he rose from his seat, and looked at a servant who was making the preparations.

"What shall I do, Sir?" said he.

"Bring the gentleman's bowl," said his master.

That moment Māra the Wicked One was greatly agitated, and rose up, saying, "It is seven days since this Pacceka Buddha received food. If he gets none to-day, he will perish. I must destroy this fellow, and put a stop to the Treasurer's gift."

And he went at once and caused a pit of live coals, eighty fathoms deep, to appear in the midst of the house. And it was full of charcoal of Acacia-wood; and appeared burning and flaming, like the great hell of Avīci. And after creating it, he himself remained in the sky.

When the man, who was coming to fetch the bowl, saw this, he was exceeding terrified, and stopped still.

"What are you stopping for, my good man?" asked the Bodisat.

"There is a great pit of live coals burning and blazing in the very middle of the house, Sir!" said he. And as people came up one after another, they were each overcome with fear, and fled hastily away.

Then thought the Bodisat, "Vasavatti Māra must be