As a result of the dissemination of these doctrines in the city, Divodasa became dispirited. Vishnu in the form of a Brahman appeared to him, and hears an account of his troubles, and is delighted as he expresses a wish to resign his crown, The king mentions a number of cases in which virtuous men have had to suffer, owing to the power of the gods, and inquires how he can obtain final beatitude. Vishnu informs him that he has acted unwisely in compelling Siva to forsake Kasi, and advises him to consecrate an image of that god, by worshipping which he will obtain the fulfilment of his desires. Divodasa follows this counsel, inaugurates his son as king, and as he is worshipping the Linga he had set up, Siva appears and conducts him to Kailasa (Siva's heaven). It is the common belief of the people

in the west of India, that when Vishnu had effected the apostasy of Divodasa, he was prevailed upon to terminate the propagation of his heretical opinions, and disappeared in a deep well at Gya.

The following legend from the "Siva Purana" [**] gives another reason for the rise of Buddhism. A famous Rishi named Gautama, with his virtuous wife named Ahalya, performed during a thousand years a severe tapas (penance) in the southern country near the mountain Brahmadri. During this time there was a severe drought, to remove which, Gautama worshipped Varuna for six months with great fervour, when the deity promised to grant any boon that should be asked. Gautama asked for rain, but Varuna said, "How can I transgress the divine command? Ask some boon which it is in my power to grant." Gautama then desired Varuna to cause a surpassingly beautiful hermitage to appear, shaded from the sun by fragrant and fruit-bearing trees, where holy men and women by meditation shall be liberated from pain, sorrow, and anxiety; "and as thou art lord of water, let it enjoy a perennial fountain." Varuna granted this request, and the hermitage of Gautama became "the loveliest on the terrestrial orb."

One day as the disciples of Gautama went to the fountain, some Brahman women tried to prevent them drawing water until they had filled their own pots. Ahalya going herself was subjected daily to the same annoyance: the Brahman women would not allow her to draw water before they had themselves obtained all they required. These women, not satisfied with annoying the ascetics, complained to their husbands of the unkind treatment they alleged they had received from Ahalya.