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The Bhikṣuṇī Maṇimēkhalai

An English translation of one of the five great Tamil classics, a story of Buddhist virtues, magical powers and philosophy; along with a detailed study of the text.

An English translation of one of the five great Tamil classics, a story of Buddhist virtues, magical powers and philosophy; along with a detailed study of the text.

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173 - <strong>The</strong> Burning Ground<br />

‘I have heard it said, gods can do whatever people pray for, on the<br />

authority of the Vēda. If you will not give me the boon that I pray for,<br />

I shall this moment destroy my life.’<br />

<strong>The</strong> goddess in her turn said:<br />

‘If, within the circuit of the Universe, anyone of the innumerable gods<br />

can grant you the boon that you ask for, I shall be quite pleased to do<br />

so myself. But see now what I can do.’<br />

Having said this, she brought down before Gautamī, the four classes<br />

of Arūpa 84 Brahmas, sixteen Rūpa 85 Brahmas, the two<br />

light-emanating bodies, the six classes of gods, innumerable Rākṣasas,<br />

the eight kinds of men, several groups of stars, ‘the day asterisms,’ the<br />

planets, all of them comprised within the circuit of the Universe and<br />

capable of granting boons to those that pray for them.<br />

Bringing all these in the presence of Gautamī the goddess asked these<br />

to give the boon of the sorrow-stricken Brahman lady, and explained<br />

to them the condition of Gautamī. All of them in one voice gave reply<br />

of a tenor similar to that in which she answered the question to<br />

Gautamī.<br />

Understanding the truth from this, Gautamī reconciled herself in a<br />

way to her sadly bereaved condition, and, disposing of the dead body<br />

of her son, returned.<br />

84 (Formless).<br />

85 (Having form).

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