SBE 17: Sixth Khandhaka: Chapter 34

34.

1. Now at that time in Bhaddiya-nagara there dwelt a householder named Mendaka (the Goat), who was possessed of this miraculous power: When he had bathed his head, and had had his granary swept out, he could sit outside and fill the granary

1 pot and vessel for curry and sauce she could serve the serving men with food; and so long as she did not get up, it was not exhausted. Their son was possessed of this miraculous power: He could take a bag containing a thousand 2, and give to each serving man six months' wages; and so long as he held it in his hand, it was not exhausted.

2. Their daughter-in-law was possessed of this miraculous power.: When she sat down beside a four-bushel 3 basket she could give six months' rice to the serving men; and so long as she did not get up, it was not exhausted. Their slave was possessed of this miraculous power: When he ploughed with one plough-share seven furrows were formed.

3, 4. Now the Mâgadha king Seniya Bimbisâra heard: 'In Bhaddiya-nagara in our kingdom there dwells, they say, a householder named Mendaka, who is possessed (&c., as in §§ 1, 2, down to the end).'

5. Then the Mâgadha king Seniya Bimbisâra said to a certain minister who had charge of general affairs: 'They say, good Sir, that in Bhaddiya-nagara (&c., as above). Go, good Sir, and find out about this. When you have seen it, it shall be the same as if I myself had seen it.'

'Even so, Lord,' said that minister, in assent, to the Mâgadha king Seniya Bimbisâra, and he set out for Bhaddiya-nagara with his fourfold host.

6. And proceeding straight on he came to Bhaddiya-nagara, and to the place where the householder

Then Mendaka the householder bathed his head, and had his granary swept out, and sat down outside it. And showers of grain fell down from the sky and filled the granary.

'I have seen, O householder, your miraculous power. Let us see that of your wife.'

7. Then Mendaka the householder gave command to his wife, 'Serve then the fourfold host with food.'

And the wife of Mendaka the householder took her seat beside a pint pot and a vessel of sauces and curry, and served the fourfold host with food; and until she rose up it was not exhausted.

'I have seen, O householder, the miraculous power of your wife. Let us see that of your son.'

8. Then Mendaka the householder gave command to his son, 'Pay then, my dear boy, six months' wages to the fourfold host.'

And the son of Mendaka the householder took one bag containing a thousand, and paid the four-fold army six months' wages. And so long as he held it in his hand, it was not exhausted.

'I have seen, O householder, the miraculous power of your son. Let us see that of your daughter-in-law.'

9. Then Mendaka the householder gave command to his daughter-in-law, 'Give, then, six months' rice to the fourfold host.'

And the daughter-in-law of Mendaka the householder

1, and in this Dhamma he instructs his hearers.'

13. Then thought Mendaka the householder: 'For a certainty that Blessed One must be an Arahat Buddha: since these Titthiyas are so jealous of him.' And he went on to the place where the Blessed One was, proceeding in the carriage as far

1, salt for him who wants salt, molasses for him who wants molasses, oil for him who wants oil, ghee for him who wants ghee. There are, O Bhikkhus, faithful and converted men who deposit

1, saying, "Provide whatever is allowable for this Bhikkhu." I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to accept whatever is allowable. But I do not say by that, O Bhikkhus, that you may, on any pretext whatsoever, accept or seek for gold.'

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Footnotes

122:1 Alhaka. See Rh. D., 'Ancient Coins and Measures,' p.18.

122:2 Ibid. p. 9 and note 4.

122:3 Dona. Ibid. p. 18.

125:1 See above, VI, 31, 5.

128:1 Two kinds of beans are mentioned, mugga and mâsa.

129:1 See above, chap. 17. 8.