Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

THE WAY. 131
lield his court and ruled. After wandering onwards thus
for several thousand lis, he came to a deep mountain pass,
where he met with a party of Brahmans who had acquired
supreme wisdom. He inquired again of these if they
could tell him where Yamar§,ja ruled and held his court.
To this they replied, " And why do you, honourable sir,
desire to know ? " On this he told them his sad grief, and
explained his intention to heg hack his child from the God
of the lower world. Then all the Brahmans, pitying his
. self-delusion, replied— " No mortal man can reach the place
where Yama reigns ; but about 400 lis to the westward of
this place there is a great valley, in the midst of which
there is a city. In this city the gods and heavenly spirits,
who sometimes dwell among men, take up their abode,
and Yama, on the eighth day of the month, constantly visits
the spot. By going there, and practising a strictly religious
mode of life, you may, honourable sir, see the King of the
Dead." Then the Brahman, rejoiced to hear this news,
departed, and arriving at this valley, lo ! in the midst of
it he saw a beautiful city with palaces, and towers, and
residences, like those in the Triyastrinshas Heaven. Then
coming before the gate, he began to burn incense, and
recite his religious formularies (Mantras), with a view to
gain admission and obtain sight of YamarS,ja. At length
he was admitted into the dread presence of the King, and,
on being asked his wish, he related his case as before. To
him the King thus replied— "What you ask, honourable
sir, is pious and good of you. Yovu- son is now in the
Eastern garden disporting himself there; take him and
go." On this the Brahman forthwith hastened to the place,
and there he saw his loved child playing -n^th other
children. He immediately ran to him, and embracing
him, with the tears coursing down his cheeks, exclaimed
"How can I forget you, my child, over whom I have
watched so long and lovingly ! Kemember you not me,
my child, your father ? Do you not recall our grief as
we tended you in your sickness, my child 1 " But the boy
—