________________
496
him and took a seat. Finding the latter busy, Abhayarājakumāra thought in his mind,
"Today, there will be no time to discuss the meaning of the Sutras with Bhagavān Buddha, I shall do it tomorrow at my own residence where let me invite him".
So he invited the Buddha with four monks to receive food at his house on the following day. The Buddha gave him his silent consent. Thereupon Abhayarajakumara came back to his own palace. Next morning, the Buddha, dressed in his robe, and with the begging bowl and cloth in his hand, came to the house of Abhayarājakumāra. He sat on a cushion which was already spread for him. Abhaya rajakumăra served the Buddha with delicious food with his own hands. After the Buddha had dined and withdrew his hand, Abhayarājakumăra took a lower seat, and started his discussion on the meaning of the Sūtras.
- "Bhante! Can the Tathāgata speak such words which may sound harsh to others"?
"Rājakumāra ! No single answer is possible to this".
As the Buddha was speaking, Abhayarājakumāra spoke
out,
"Bhante! The Nirgranthas are undone".
- "What did you say? The Nirgranthas are undone ? What do you mean by thật"?
- "Bhante! I mean exactly what I have asserted. I have just been to Nigantha Nataputta. It is he who has sent me hither to put this two-pronged question to you. He holds the view that being asked a question like this, you will be able neither to swallow nor to disgorge".
At that time, a very young but dull-looking child was seated on the lap of Abhayarājakumara. Pointing to him, the Buddha said,
