आपद्धर्मानुशासन पर्व — गौतम का प्रवास

Bhishma said After the expiration of that night, and that best of Brahmanas had left the house, Gautama issuing from his house, began to proceed towards the sea, O Bharata.

On the way he saw some sea-faring merchants. With that caravan of merchants he proceeded towards the sea.

It so took place, however, O king, that large caravan was attacked, while passing through a mountain valley, by an infuriate elephant. Almost all the persons were killed.

Somehow escaping from the great danger, the Brahmana fled towards the north for saving his life, not knowing where he went.

Separated from the caravan and gone to a great distance, he began to travel alone in a forest, like a Kimpurusha.

At last coming upon a road leading towards the ocean, he travelled on till the reached a charming and heavenly forest filled with blossoming trees.

It was adorned with mango trees which carried flowers and fruits throughout the year. It appeared like the garden of Nandana (in heaven) and was inhabited by Yakshas and Kinnaras.

It was also decked with Shalas Palmyras, Tamalas, and with clusters of black aloes, and many large sandal trees.

Upon the charming tablelands that he beheld there, fragrant with perfumes of various kinds, birds of the best species were always heard to send out their sweet notes.

Other birds, called Bharundas and having faces like human beings, and those called Bhulingas, and others belonging mountainous regions and to the sea, poured forth their sweet notes.

Gautama went through that forest, listening, as he went, to those delightful and charming notes of nature's songsters.

On his way he saw a very charming and level spot of land covered with golden sands and resembling heaven itself, O king, in its beauty.

On that plot was huge and beautiful banian with a spherical top. Having numberless branches which wore like the parent tree in beauty and size, that banian looked like an umbrella set over the plain, to

The spot underneath that beautiful tree was drenched with water perfumed with the most fragrant sandal. Highly beautiful and abounding with sweet flowers all around, the spot appeared like the court of the Grandfather himself.

Seeing that charming and peerless spot, filled with blossoming trees, sacred, and looking like the house of a very god, Gautama was highly pleased.

Arrived there, he sat himself down with a delighted mind. While sitting there, O son of Kunti, a swect, charming, and auspicious breeze, carrying the perfume of many kinds of flowers, began to blow softly, cooling the limbs of Gautama and filling him with divine pleasure, O king.

Fanned by that sweet-scented breeze, the Brahmana became refreshed, and for the pleasure he felt ho soon fell asleep. Meanwhile the sun set behind the setting hills.

When the shining luminary entered his chambers in the west and the evening twilight came, a bird that was the best of his species, returned there, which was his home, from the regions of Brahinan.

His name was Nadijangha and he was a great friend of the Creator. He was a prince of Cranes; endued with great wisdom, and a son of (the sage) Kashyapa.

He was also known widely on Earth by the name of Rajdharman. Indeed, he excelled every one on Earth in fame and wisdom. The child of a celestial maiden, endued with great beauty and learning, he shone like a celestial.

Decorated with the many ornaments that he wore and that were as brilliant as the sun himself, that child of a celestial girl shone in great beauty.

Seeing that bird arrived there, Gautama was stricken with wonder. Worn out with hunger and thirst, the Brahmana began to look at the bird from desire of killing him.

Rajdharman said Welcome, O Brahmana! By good luck have I got you to-day in my house! The sun is set. The evening twilight has came.

Having come to my house you are to-day my dear and excellent guest! Having received my adorations according to the rites laid down in the scriptures, you may go where you like tomorrow morning.