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I, 43.
NÂGASENA.
37
And Devamantiya replied : 'He is capable, Sire, of discussing things with the guardians of the world —with Indra, Yama, Varuna, Kuvera, Pragâpati, Suyâma, [23] and Santushita-and even with the great Brahma himself, the progenitor of mankind, how much more then with a mere human being !'
Do you then, Devamantiya,' said the king,' send a messenger to say I am coming.'
And he did so. And Nagasena sent word back that he might come. And the king, attended by the five hundred Yonakas, mounted his royal chariot, and proceeded with a great retinue to the Sankheyya hermitage, and to the place where Nâgasena dwelt.
43. At that time the venerable Nâgasena was seated with the innumerable company of the brethren of the Order, in the open hall in front of the hermitage? So king Milinda saw the assembly from afar, and he said to Devamantiya : Whose, Devamantiya, is this so mighty retinue?'
These are they who follow the venerable Nâgasena,' was the reply.
Then at the sight there came over king Milinda
terrible enough, especially as the Nâgas were looked upon as supernatural beings. But it is no doubt also intended that the king had heard of his fame.
Mandala-mâla, that is a hall consisting only of a roof, supported by pillars which are connected by a dwarf wall two or three feet in height. The roof projects beyond the pillars, so that the space within is well shaded. It is a kind of open air drawingroom attached to most hermitages, and may be so small that it can be rightly rendered arbour (see above, p. 25), or sufficiently large to accommodate a considerable number. Usually of wood, sometimes of stone, it is always graceful in appearance and pleasant to use. It is mentioned in the corresponding passage of the Sâmañña Phala (D. II, 10).
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