Page:Sacred Books of the Buddhists Vol 1.djvu/165

 continued to blow after them and drive the ship in the same direction. And as they advanced farther into the ocean, they perceived another sea shining with the lustre of silver and looking bright with the mass of white foam on its waves. On beholding this astonishing spectacle, they said to Supâraga:

14. 'What great sea is this, which is clothed, as it were, in fine white linen and veils its waters with its foam? It seems to bear on its surface fluid moon-beams, as it were, and to show all around a laughing face.'

Supâraga said: 'Alas! we are penetrating too far.

15. 'That is the sea Dadhimâlin [= wearing garlands of coagulated milk], called the "milk-ocean." It is not wise to go farther on, at least if it is possible to turn back.'

The merchants said: 'It is impossible, indeed, to reduce the speed of the ship, much less to change her course. She is being driven too swiftly by the current, and the wind blows contrary.'

Now, having crossed also that sea, the merchants perceived another sea, whose rolling waves were tinged with the splendour of gold resembling the red-brown colour of flames, and filled with amazement and curiosity they spoke about it to Supâraga.

16. 'It looks now as if the high, bright waves had been tinged with the brilliant hue of the rising sun. They appear to us like a great, blazing fire. Say, what sea is this and how is it named for this reason?'

Supâraga answered:

17. 'Agnimâlin [= wearing fire-garlands] is the celebrated name of this sea. It would be very prudent, indeed, if we were to turn back now.'

Thus saying the Great Being, far-seeing as he was, told them only the name of that sea, but concealed the cause of the change of colour of the water. After crossing also that sea, the merchants saw that the colour of the sea changed again; now its hue bore a resemblance to a grove of ripe kusa-grass, and its waters were illuminated with the lustre of topazes