SI-YU-KI
Buddhist Records of the Western World
Translated from the Chinese of Hiuen Tsiang [Xuanzang] (A.D. 629) by Samuel Beal, 1885
Lady of the Lake
(aka: strange women lying in ponds distributing swords)
She said, “I am a Naga [serpent] maiden belonging to this pool. I have heard with awe of your holy tribe having suffered such things, and of your being driven away from home to wander here and there in consequence. I have fortunately been able, as I wandered, to administer somewhat to your comfort, and you have desired me to yield to your wishes in other respects
The Naga-raja detaining him said, “…I will manage to make you master of this land and to obtain a lasting fame. All the people shall be your servants, and your dynasty shall endure for successive ages.”
Then the Naga-raja took a precious sword and placed it in a casket covered with white camlet, very fine and beautiful, and then he said to the Sakya youth, “Now, of your kindness go to the king and offer him this white camlet as a tribute. The king will be sure to accept it as the offering of a remote (distant) person: then as he takes it draw forth the sword and kill him. Thus you will seize his kingdom. Is it not excellent?”
The Sakya youth, waving the sword, cried out, “This sword that I hold was given me by a holy Naga wherewith to punish the contumelious and subdue the arrogant.” Being affrighted at the divine warrior they submitted and gave him the kingdom. On this he corrected abuses and established order; he advanced the good and relieved the unfortunate...
Uddiyana
Going north west 140 or 1 50 li from the statue of Kwan-tsz-tsai Bodhisattva, we come to the mountain of Lan-po-lu. The crest of this mountain has a dragon lake about 30 li or so in circuit. The clear waves roll in their majesty, the water pure as a bright mirror. In old days Pi-lu-tse-kia (Virudhaka-raja) having led his army to attack the Sakyas, four of the tribe resisted the advance. 29 These were driven away by their clansmen, and each fled in a different direction. One of the Sakyas having left the capital of the country, and being worn out by travel, sat down to rest in the middle of the road.
There appeared now a wild goose, who, in his flight (progress) alighted before him; and because of his docile ways, he at last mounted on his back. The goose then flying away, took him to the side of this lake. By this mode of conveyance the Sakya fugitive visited different kingdoms in various directions. Once having mistaken his way, he went to sleep by the side of the lake under the shadow of a tree. At this time a young Naga maiden was walking beside the lake, and suddenly espied the Sakya youth. Fearing that she might not be able otherwise to accomplish her wish, she transformed herself into a human shape and began to caress him. The youth, because of this, awoke affrighted from his sleep and addressing her said, “I am but a poor wanderer worn out with fatigue; why then do you show me such tenderness?” In the course of matters the youth, becoming deeply moved, prayed her to consent to his wishes. She said, “My father and mother require to be asked and obeyed in this matter You have favoured me with your affection, but they have not yet consented.” The Sakya youth replied, “The mountains and valleys (surround us) with their mysterious shades; where then is your home?” She said, “I am a Naga maiden belonging to this pool. I have heard with awe of your holy tribe having suffered such things, and of your being driven away from home to wander here and there in consequence. I have fortunately been able, as I wandered, to administer somewhat to your comfort, and you have desired me to yield to your wishes in other respects, but I have received no commands to that effect from my parents. Unhappily, too, this Naga body is the curse following my evil deeds.”
The Sakya youth answered, “One word uttered from the ground of the heart and agreed to (by us both) and this matter is ended.” She said, “I respectfully obey your orders; let that follow whatever it be.” Then the Sakya youth said, “By the power of my accumulated merit let this Naga woman be turned into human shape.” The woman was immediately so converted. On seeing herself thus restored to human shape she was overjoyed, and gratefully addressed the Sakya youth thus: “By my evil deeds (through the accumulation of evil deeds), have I been compelled to migrate through evil forms of birth, till now happily, by the power of your religious merit, the body which I have possessed through many kalpas has been changed in a moment. My gratitude is boundless, nor could it be expressed if I wore my body to dust (with frequent prostrations). Let me but acquaint my father and mother; I will then follow you and obey you in all things.”
The Naga maiden then returning to the lake addressed her father and mother, saying, “Just now, as I was wandering abroad, I lighted upon a Sakya youth, who by the power of his religious merit succeeded in changing me into human form. Having formed an affection for me, he desires to marry me. I lay before you the matter in its truth.”
The Naga-raja was rejoiced to see his daughter restored to human form, and from a true affection to the holy tribe he gave consent to his daughter's request. Then proceeding from the lake, he expressed his deep gratitude to the Sakya youth, and said, “You have not despised creatures of other kinds, and have condescended to those beneath you. I pray you come to my abode, and there receive my humble services.”
The Sakya youth having accepted the Naga-raja's invitation, went forthwith to his abode. On this all the family of the Naga received the youth with extreme reverence, and desired to delight his mind by an excess of feasting and pleasure; but the youth, seeing the dragon forms of his entertainers, was filled with affright and disgust and he desired to go. The Naga-raja detaining him said, “Of your kindness depart not. Occupy a neighbouring abode; I will manage to make you master of this land and to obtain a lasting fame. All the people shall be your servants, and your dynasty shall endure for successive ages.”
The Sakya youth expressed his gratitude, and said, “I can hardly expect your words to be fulfilled.” Then the Naga-raja took a precious sword and placed it in a casket covered with white camlet, very fine and beautiful, and then he said to the Sakya youth, “Now, of your kindness go to the king and offer him this white camlet as a tribute. The king will be sure to accept it as the offering of a remote (distant) person: then as he takes it draw forth the sword and kill him. Thus you will seize his kingdom. Is it not excellent?”
The Sakya youth receiving the Naga's directions, went forthwith to make his offering to the king of U-chan-na (Udyana). When the king was about to take the piece of white camlet, then the youth took hold of his sleeve, and pierced him with the sword. The attendant ministers and the guards raised a great outcry and ran about in confusion. The Sakya youth, waving the sword, cried out, “This sword that I hold was given me by a holy Naga wherewith to punish the contumelious and subdue the arrogant.” Being affrighted at the divine warrior they submitted and gave him the kingdom. On this he corrected abuses and established order; he advanced the good and relieved the unfortunate; and then with a great cortege he advanced towards the Naga palace to acquaint him with the completion of his undertaking; and then taking his wife he went back to the capital. Now the former demerits of the Naga girl were not yet effaced and their consequences still remained. Every time he went to rest by her side from her head came forth the ninefold crest of the Naga. The Sakya prince filled with affright and disgust, hitting on no other plan, waited till she slept, and then cut off (the dragon's crest) with his sword. The Naga girl, alarmed, awoke and said, “This will bring no good hereafter to your posterity it will not be ineffectual in slightly afflicting me during my life, and your children and grandchildren will all suffer from pains in the head. And so the royal line of this country are ever afflicted with this malady, and although they are not all so continually, yet every succession brings a worse affliction. After the death of the Sakya youth his son succeeded under the name of Uttarasena (U-ta-lo-si-na).
Just after Uttarasena had come to power his mother lost her sight. Tathagata, when he was going back from the subjugation of the Naga Apalala, descended from space and alighted in this palace. Uttarasena was out hunting and Tathagata preached a short sermon to his mother. Having heard the sermon from the mouth of the holy one, she forthwith recovered her sight. Tathagata then asked her, “Where is your son? he is of my family.” She said, “He went out hunting for a while this morning, but he will soon be back.” When Tathagata with his attendants were bent on going the king's mother said, “Of my great fortune I have borne a child belonging to the holy family; and Tathagata of his great compassion has again come down to visit my house as connected with him. My son will soon return; oh, pray remain for a short time!” The Lord of the World said, “This son of yours belongs to my family; he need only hear the truth to believe it and understand it If he were not my relative I would remain to instruct his heart but now I go. On his return, tell him that Tathagata has gone from this to Kuslnagara (Keu-shi) where between the Sala trees he is about to die, and let your son come for a share of the relics to honour them.”
Then Tathagata with all his attendants took flight through the air and went. Afterwards Uttarasena-raja, whilst engaged in the chase, saw, a long way off, his palace lighted up as if with a fire. Being in doubt about it, he quitted the chase and returned. On seeing his mother with her sight restored he was transported with joy, and addressed her, saying, “What fortunate circumstance has occurred to you during my short absence that you should have got your sight again as of old time?” The mother said, “After you had gone out Tathagata came here, and after hearing him preach I recovered my sight. Buddha has gone from here to Kusinagara; he is going to die between the Sala trees He commands you to go quickly to the spot to get some of his relics.”
The king having heard these words, uttered cries of lamentation, and fell prostrate on the ground motionless. Coming to himself, he collected his cortege and went to the twin-trees, where Buddha had already died. Then the kings of the other countries treated him scornfully, and were unwilling to give him a share of the much-prized relics they were taking to their own countries. On this a great assembly of Devas acquainted them with Buddha's wishes, on which the kings divided the relics equally beginning with him.
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