Dialogues of the Buddha, Part II — trans. T. W. and C. A. F. Rhys Davids (1910)

1 If we follow the order of the names in this no doubt very old mnemonic doggrel, the result may be tabulated thus : —

City. Tribe. King.

x. Dantapura Kalingas Sattabhu.

2. Potana Assakas Brahmadatta.

3. Mahissati Avantis Vessabhu.

4. Roruka Soviras Bharata.

5. Mithila Videhas Re;*u.

6. Campa Ahgas Dhatara/Ma.

7. Barawasi Kasis Dhatara///za.
This list is enough to show that the verses do not fit with the story.

Re?zu's kingdom is said in the text to be in the middle. No one of these seven kingdoms is in the midst of the others. Benares would suit that position less badly, than any other. It was probably intended therefore that Disampati and Re;/u were kings or chieftains in Benares. The king Bharata of the Soviras of J. Ill, 470 may be the same as the Bharata who also appears in the table here as king of the Soviras. The Remi of J. IV, 444 is king of the Kurus. None of the numerous Brahmadattas in the Jatakas can be identified with our Brahmadatta. Our Disampati and Re/m are referred to, apparently as kings of Benares, at Dipava/wsa III, 40.

The verses survived, but in a very corrupt state, down to the time of the Mahavastu (Vol. Ill, p. 208, ed. Senart).

B. ii. 238. THE LORD HIGH STEWARD. 27 1

37. Now those six nobles came to the High Steward and said to him : — ' Just as the honourable Steward was dear, beloved and congenial as companion to Re;m the king, so has he been also to us a companion, dear, beloved and congenial. We would that the honourable Steward administer our affairs ; we trust he will not refuse to do so.'

' Very good, sirs,' replied the Great Steward. And so he instructed those seven anointed kings in government ; and he taught the mantras to seven eminent and wealthy Brahmins and to seven hundred young graduates.

38. [237] Now later on the excellent reputation of the brahmin, the High Steward, was noised abroad after this fashion: — 'With his own eyes the High Steward sees Brahma ! Face to face does the High Steward commune with Brahma, converse and take counsel with Him ! ' Then the High Steward thought : 4 This flattering rumour is noised abroad about me, that I both see Brahma and hold converse with Him. Now I neither see Him, nor commune with Him, nor converse or take counsel with Him. But I have heard aged and venerable brahmins, teachers and pupils, say : "He who remains in meditation the four months of the rains, and practises the ecstasy of pity, he sees Brahma, communes, converses, takes counsel with Brahma ? What if I now were to cultivate that discipline ? " '

39. So the High Steward waited on king Re?^u, and telling him of the reputation imputed to himself, and of his wish to practise seclusion, added : ' I wish, sir, to meditate during the four months of the rains and to practise the ecstasy of pity. No one is to come near me save some one who will bring me my meals.'

' Do, honourable Steward, whatever seems to you fit.'

40. [238] And the High Steward went round to each of the six nobles, told them the same, and took his leave of them also.

41. Then he went to those seven eminent and wealthy Brahmins, and to the seven hundred graduates,p. 2 and telling them [too of the rumours and of his wish to practise seclusion], said : — ' Wherefore, sirs, according as you have heard the mantras and have committed them to memory, continue to rehearse them in full, and teach them to each other. I, sirs, wish to meditate during the four months of the rains, and to practise the ecstasy of pity. No one is to come near me save some one who shall bring me my meals.'

' Do, honourable Steward, whatever seems to you fit.'

42. [239] Next the High Steward went to his forty wives who were all on an equality, and told them [too of the rumours and of his wish to practise ecstasy in seclusion. And they replied like the others.]