Having uttered these stanzas, poised in the air before the multitude, with a last counsel to the Great Being that he should be vigilant, Sakka returned to the world of gods. And the Great Being, surrounded by his retinue, went back in great pomp to the city, and entered the palace called Candaka, the Peacock's Eye. The news that he had got his eyes again spread abroad all through the Kingdom of Sivi. All the people gathered together to see him, with gifts in their hands. "Now all this multitude is come together," thought the Great Being, "I shall praise my gift that I gave." He caused a great pavilion to be put up at the palace gate, where he seated himself upon the royal throne, with the white umbrella spread above him. Then the drum was sent beating about the city, to collect all the trade guilds . Then he said, "O people of Sivi! now you have beheld these divine eyes, never eat food without giving something away!" and he repeated four stanzas, declaring the Law:

"Who, if he's asked to give, would answer no,
Although it be his best and choicest prize?
People of Sivi thronged in concourse, ho!
Come hither, see the gift of God, my eyes!

[412] "Through rock and wall, o'er hill and dale, whatever bar may be,
A hundred leagues on every side these eyes of mine can see.

"Self-sacrifice in all men mortal living,
Of all things is most fine:
I sacrificed a mortal eye; and giving,
Received an eye divine.

"See, people! see, give ere ye eat, let others have a share.
This done with your best will and care,
Blameless to heaven you shall repair."

In these four verses he declared the Law; and after that, every fortnight, on the holy day, even every fifteenth day, he declared the Law in these same verses without cessation to a great gathering of people. Hearing which, the people gave alms and did good deeds, and went to swell the hosts of heaven.

When the Master had ended this discourse, he said, "Thus Brethren, wise men of old gave to any chance comer, who was not content with outside gifts, even their own eyes, taken out of their head." Then he identified the Birth: "At that time Ananda was Sivaka the physician, Anaruddha was Sakka, the Buddha's followers were the people, and I myself was King Sivi."

Footnotes

^250:1 See Avadana Cataka, iv. 4 (34), and the note on p. 127 of Feer's translation (Musee Guimet): Jataka Mala no. 2, Cibi Jataka: Cariya-pitaka no. 8, Siviraja-C. Milinda-panha, iv. i. 42 (p. 179 of the translation).

^250:2 This is the Aditta jataka, No. 424 (iii. 280 of this translation).

^250:3 Dhammapada, 177.

^252:1 Vanibbako in line 3 seems to be written by dittography. Some genitive would be looked for, and Fausboll's vanibbino may be right; the form occurs in iii. 312.4 (Pali).