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36
THE QUESTIONS OF KING MILINDA.
1, 42.
Learned, with varied eloquence, sagacious, bold, Master of views, in exposition sound, The brethren-wise themselves in holy writ, Repeaters of the fivefold sacred word Put Nagasena as their leader and their chief. Him, Nagasena of clear mind and wisdom deep, Who knew which was the right Path, which the
false, And had himself attained Nirvâna's placid heights! Attended by the wise, by holders to the Truth, He had gone from town to town, and come to
Sâgala ; And now he dwelt there in Sankheyya's grove, Appearing, among men, like the lion of the hills.' 42. And Devamantiya said to king Milinda : Wait a little, great king, wait a little! There is an Elder named Nagasena, learned, able, and wise, of subdued manners, yet full of courage, versed in the traditions, a master of language, and ready in reply, one who understands alike the spirit and the letter of the law, and can expound its difficulties and refute objections to perfection?. He is staying at present at the Sankheyya hermitage. You should go, great king, and put your questions to him. He is able to discuss things with you, and dispel your doubts.'
Then when Milinda the king heard the name Nagasena, thus suddenly introduced, he was seized with fear, and with anxiety, and the hairs of his body stood on end? But he asked Devamantiya : 'Is that really so?'
See above, p. 34, note 3. · The name itself, which means Chief of Naga Snakes,' is
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