Page:Karl Gjellerup - The Pilgrim Kamanita - 1911.djvu/158

 of sky above his head "The heavenly Gunga! We swore—by its waves—Vasitthi"

His body quivered, blood gushed from his mouth, and he passed away in Ananda's arms.

Scarcely half an hour later Sariputta and Ananda, accompanied by the monks, entered the potter's hall, greeted the Master respectfully, and sat down by his side.

"Well, my dear Sariputta," asked the Master, after having given them a friendly greeting, "did the company of young monks under thy leadership reach the end of their long journey well and without accident? Didst thou have any lack of food, or medicine for the sick, by the way? And are the disciples happy and studious?"

"I am glad to be able to say, my reverend Master, that we lacked for nothing, and that the young monks, full of confidence and zeal, have but one desire, namely, to see the Master face to face. These noble youths, who know the word and profess the doctrine, I have brought with me, in order to present them without delay to the Master."

At these words three young monks arose and greeted the Master with folded hands—

"Hail, Master, the Perfect Buddha—hail!"

"Ye are welcome," said the Master, and invited them by a movement of his hand to be seated again.

"And didst thou, O Master, arrive after yesterday's journey without over-fatigue or other evil effects? And hast thou spent a passable night in this hall?"

"Even so, my Brother. I arrived at dusk, very tired it is true, but without other ill effects from my journey, and spent a fairly good night in the company of a stranger pilgrim."

"That pilgrim," began Sariputta, "has been robbed of his life in the streets of Rajagriha by a cow."