XIII.

The Buddha Bhagwant was abiding in Rājagṛiha in Veṇuvaua in Kalandakanivāsa. In Rājagṛiha hved the two Nāgarājas Girika and Sundara, through whose influ- ence the five hundred warm springs in Rājagṛiha, the rivers, lakes, and pools received from the deity, from time to time, a rich copiousness of waters, whereby the grain thrived in the most excellent manner. As Bhagwant had brought under his influence the two Nāgarājas, Nanda and Upananda, they used to come to the slopes of Sumeru and manifest their respect to Bhagwant on the eighth, fourteenth, and fifteenth days of the month. Thereupon the two Nāgarājas, Girika and Sundara, con- sidered that, as the two Nāgarājas, Nanda and Upananda. visited the Sumeru slopes on the eighth, fourteenth, and fifteenth of the month in order to show their respect for Bhagwant, they themselves who dwelt on the spot ought to testify their respect for Bhagwant. So they went to Bhaga- vant, paid honour with their heads to his feet, and seated themselves on the ground. Then Bhagwant confirmed them in refuge-seeking and in the basis of doctrine, whereby they felt themselves very much elevated. There- upon they formed the intention of betaking themselves to the ocean. So they went to Bhagwant, paid him honour, and spoke to him thus : ” O worthy of reverence, inasmuch as Bhagwant has led us to the search after refuge and the principles of the doctrine, we have become so elevated that we would fain, if Bhagavant allows us, betake ourselves to the ocean.” Bhagwant replied, ” O Nāgarājas, as ye dwell in the land of Bimbisāra, king of Magadha, ye must ask him.” They considered that there must be some reason why Bhagwant did not allow them to betake themselves to the ocean. When they appeared at night before Bhagwant in order to show him honour, they formed part of the retinue of the Gods’ ¹ dwelhng. But when they came by day they had the appearance of ordinary householders.