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IV, 2, 31.
MÂRA.
219
Because the boy was in fault.'
Just in the same way, O king, will Pirit which is a protection to beings, yet, by their own fault, turn against them.'
Very good, Nagasena! The problem has been solved, the jungle made clear, the darkness made light, the net of heresy unravelled—and by you, O best of the leaders of schools!'
[Here ends the dilemma as to Pirit.]
[MÂRA, THE EVIL ONE.] 20. 'Venerable Nâgasena, your people say thus : “The Tathagata was in the constant receipt of the things necessary for a recluse-robes, food, lodging, and the requisites for the sick.” And again they say: "When the Tathagata entered the Brahman village called the Five Sâla trees he received nothing, and had to return with his bowl as clean as before.” If the first passage is true the second is false, and if the second passage is true [155] the first is false. This too is a double-headed problem, a mighty crux hard to unravel. It is now put to you. It is for you to solve it.'
21. Both statements are true, but when he received nothing that day, that was the work of Mára, the evil one.'
Then, Nagasena, how was it that the merit laid up by the Blessed One through countless æons of time came to end that day? How was it that Mara, who had only just been produced, could overcome the strength and influence of that merit? In that case, Nagasena, the blame must fall in one of two
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| SR No. | 007673 |
| Book Title | Zend Avesta Part 03 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | L H Mills |
| Publisher | Oxford |
| Publication Year | 1887 |
| Total Pages | 2618 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 49 MB |