Mahaparinibbana Sutta

MAHl-PARIlSriBBlBrA-SUTTA.

I Thus have I heard. The Blessed One was once dwelling in Ri^’agaha, on the hill called the Vulture’s Peak. Now at that time A^itasattu, the son of the queen-consort of Videha origin the king of Magadha, was desirous of attacking the Va^^fians; and he saia to himself, ‘I will root out these Va^- ^I’ans, mighty and powerful ^ though they be, I will destroy these Va//iari§, I will bring these Va^/ians to utter ruin! ’

2. So he spake to the Brihman Vassakira, the prime-minister of Magadha, and said:

‘Come now, O Brdhman, do you go to the Blessed One, and bow down in adoration at his feet on my behalf, and enquire in my name whether he is free from illness and suffering, and in the enjoyment of ease and comfort, and vigorous health. Then tell him that A^htasattu, son of the Vedehi, the king of Magadha, in his eagerness to attack the Varans, has resolved, “I will root out these Va^ians, mighty and powerful though they be, I will destroy these V^^ans, I will bring these Va^ians to utter ruin!” And bear carefully in mind whatever the Blessed One may predict, and repeat it to me. For the Buddhas speak nothing untrue! ’