the entering in of the hut. Again Sakka came in the semblance of a brahmin, and again the Great Being gave him the meal, and continued in joy and blessedness. On the third day again he gave as before, saying, "See what a blessing for me! A few kara-leaves have begotten great merit for me." Thus in heartfelt joy, weak as he was for want of food for three days, he came out of his hut at noontide and sat in the door, reflecting upon the gift which he had given. And Sakka thought: "This brahmin fasting for three days, weak as he is, yet gives to me, and takes joy in his giving. There is no other meaning in his thoughts; I do not understand what it is he desires and why he gives these gifts, so I must ask him, and find out his meaning, and learn the cause of his giving." Accordingly he waited till past midday, and in great glory and magnificence came to the Great Being blazing like the young sun; and standing before him, put to him the question: "Ho, ascetic! why do you practise the ascetic life in this forest, surrounded by the salt sea, with hot winds beating upon you?"

To make clear this matter, the Master repeated the first stanza:

"Sakka, the lord of beings, saw Akitti honoured:
"Why, O great Brahmin, do you rest here in the heat?" he said."

When the Great Being heard this, and perceived that it was Sakka, he answered and said to him, "Those Attainments I do not crave; but craving for omniscience I live the life of a recluse." To make this clear, he recited the second stanza:

[240] "Re-birth, the body's breaking up, death, error--all is pain:
Therefore, O Sakka Vasava! I here in peace remain."

Hearing these words, Sakka was pleased in his heart, and thought "He is dissatisfied with all kinds of being, and for Nirvana's sake dwells in the forest. I will offer him a boon." Then he invited him to choose a boon in the words of the third stanza:

"Fair spoken, Kassapa, well put, most excellently said:
Choose now a boon--as bids your heart, so let the choice be made ."

The Great Being repeated the fourth stanza, choosing his boon:

"Sakka, the lord of beings all, has offered me a boon,
Son, wife or treasure, grain in store, content not tho' possessed:
I pray no lust for such as these may harbour in my breast."

Then Sakka, much pleased, offered yet other boons, and the Great Being accepted them, each in turn repeating a stanza as follows:

"Fair spoken, Kassapa, well put, most excellently said:
Choose now a boon--as bids your heart, so let the choice be made."

"Sakka, the lord of beings all, has offered me a boon.
Lands, goods, and gold, slaves, horse, and kine, grow old and pass away:
May I be not like them, nor be this fault in me, I pray."

"Fair spoken, "etc.