ABSTRACT
IN long past clays, King Brahmadatta hved in the city of Vārānasī.His wife’s name was Brahmwati, and a lake also bore the same name.Now the king was child- less, and longed to have a son.With that intent he implored the gods in all manner of ways.At length his entreaties were heard, and a being of firm resolve, departing from hell, entered into the queen’s womb. At her desire the king ordered presents to be given at all the gates of the city.Later on he had to go with her into the penance forest, and in the third place to embark with her on board a ship, which was constructed at her request, and placed in the above-named lake. There she gwe birth to a fine boy, who was endowed with recollection of his previous existence.As he was born on the water, the name of Abja (water-born) was given to him.
