Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists

Mythsof the Hindus & BuddhistsIndra blowing his conch. On the other golden ladderproceeded the devas with instruments of music; and onthe silver ladder the brahmas, carrying umbrellas. ThusBuddha returned to his own hermitage.Buddha prevents a JVarUpon a certain occasion Buddha prevented a war whichwas on the point of breaking out between the Shakyasand the Kolis. Between the cities of Kapilavastu andKoli ran the river Rohini; across this river a dam hadbeen built which enabled the people of both countries toirrigate their fields. It so happened that there was a greatdrought, and the husbandmen on each side claimed thesole right to the little water that remained. The rivalclaimants called each other by the worst possible names ;and the matter, coming to the ears of the princes of eachcountry, much exaggerated by rumour, led to the outbreakof war, and matters had gone so far that the armies of theShakyas and the Kolis were encamped over against eachother on opposite banks of the diminished river. At thiscrisis Buddha perceived what was going on, and proceedingthrough the air, at the same time making himself visible,he arrived at the place of battle. The Shakyas threw downtheir weapons out of respect for him whom they regardedas the jewel of their race, and the Kolis followed theirexample. Buddha inquiredifthey were assembled for awater-festival, and being informed that it was for battle,asked the cause. The princes said that they were notquite sure, but would inquire of the generals ;they in turnasked their under-officers, and so on downward until itcame to the original husbandmen. When Buddha wasinformed of the cause he asked the value of water, andbeing told that it was very little, he asked what was the278