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III, 12.
OFFERING OF NANDÂ.
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sattva dwells in the grove, go you then, and present to him a religious offering.' 1018
Nanda Balada (or Balaga or Baladhya) with joy came to the spot, above her hands (i. e. on her wrists) white chalcedony bracelets, her clothing of a grey (bluish) colour (dye); 1019
The grey and the white together contrasted in the light, as the colours of the rounded river bubble; with simple heart and quicken'd step she came, and, bowing down at Bodhisattva's feet, 1020
She reverently offered him perfumed rice milk, begging him of his condescension to accept it?. Bodhisattva taking it, partook of it (at once), whilst she received, even then, the fruits of her religious act. 1021
Having eaten it, all his members refreshed, he became capable of receiving Bodhi; his body and limbs glistening with (renewed strength), and his energies swelling higher still", 1022
As the hundred streams swell the sea, or the first quarter'd moon daily increases in brigbtness. The five Bhikshus having witnessed this, perturbed, were filled with suspicious reflection; 1023
They supposed (said) that his religious zeal (heart) was flagging, and that he was leaving and looking for a better abode, as though he had obtained deliverance, the five elements entirely removed . 1024
See Tree and Serpent Worship, plate l. ? This is a free translation; the text is probably defective, Po being a mistake for or for
: •The five elements,' in the original. the five great;' the sense seems to be that the Bodhisattva was acting as though he had attained his aim, and overcome the powers of sense. At the same
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