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While begging in Rājagrha, the Buddha's eyes were firm. He walked keeping his vision restricted within avery short distance no longer than a Jua. He was mute. His pace was slow and restricted. His mind was under full control(2).
Even.Bimbisāra saw this extraordinary monk from his palace and was deeply impressed. He wanted to talk with him. He met the monk on the Pandu (Ratnagiri)hill in Rajagrha.
Bimbisāra made a request to the Buddha to accept and enjoy his kingdom and other objects of pleasure. In declining the request, the Buddha explained to the king the evil effects of wordly pleasures and said,
"I have courted monkhood not to win a kingdom but to attain the state of Buddhahood".
Said Bimbisāra,
"Sir! May your wishes be fulfilled! When you become a Buddha, please pay a visit to this city".(3)
According to the Jaina sources, it appears that King Bimbisara had his first acquaintance with Monk Anathi. This meeting too bears a close resemblance with the other one just noted. Near the city of Rajagrha, there was a garden named Mandi-kukşi which was full of many flowers and was exceedingly charming. One day, King Srenika came to that garden for holiday-making. He saw a great nirgrantha monk in that garden. He was seated under the shade of a luxuriant tree. His look was tender and impres - sive. He was young in age. He had endless peace stamped on his face. No sooner did the King of Magadha see him than the following words came out from his mouth,
"What a fine complexion ! How very beautiful ! What an embodiment of serenity is this noble soul ! How very lofty is his forgiveness, his renunciation, his detachment'(4)!
King Srenika cam e to the monk and said,
