________________ Hiuen Tsiang's Travels in Vaisali 335 coming towards him. He took it and opened it, and there saw a thousand boys; being well nourished, when they came to perfect stature, they were of great strength. Relying on these, he extended his kingdom in every direction, and encouraged by the victories of his troops, he was on the point of extending his conquest to this country (i. e. Vaisali). Brahmadatta-raja hearing of it, was much alarmed; fearing his army was not able to contend successfuly with the invaders, he was at a loss what to do. At this time deer-footed girl, knowing in her heart that these were her sons, addressed the king thus: "Now that these youthful warriors are approaching the frontier, from the highest to the lowest there is an absence of courage (heart). Your feeble wife by her thought is able to conquer those redoubtable champions." The king not yet believing her, remained overwhelined with fear, Then the deer-girl, mounting the city wall, waited the arrival of the warriors. The thousand youths having sourrounded the city with their soldiers, the deer-girl said to them, "Do not be rebellious! I am your mother; you are my sons." The thousand youths replied, "What extravagant words are these !" The deer-girl then pressing both her breasts, a thousand jets of milk flowed out therefrom, and by divine direction fell into their mouths. Then they laid aside their armour, broke their ranks, and returned to their tribe and family. The two countries mutualiy rejoiced, and the people rested in peace. Not far from this spot is a stupa. This is where Tathagata walked for exercise, and left the traces thereof. In teaching (or, pointing to the traces) he addressed the congregation thus : "In ancient days, in this place, I returned to my family on seeing my mother. If you would know then, those thousand youths are the same as the thousand Buddhas of this Bhadra-kaspa." To the east of the spot where Buddha explained this birth (jataka) is a ruined foundation above which is built a stupa. A bright light is from time to time reflected here. Those who ask (pray) in worship obtain their request. The ruins of the turretted preaching-hall, where Buddha uttered the Samantamukha dharani and other sutras, are still visible. By the side of the preaching-hall, and not far from it, is a stupa which contains the relics of the half body of Ananda, Not far from this are several stupas--the exact number has not yet been determined. Here a thousand Pratyeka Buddhas (To-kio) attained Nirvana. Both within and without the city of Vaisali, and all round it, the sacred vestiges are so numerous that it would be difficult to recount them
