[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Buddhist Sanskrit literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit) › [Dharmapada anthologies](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada) › [Udānavarga](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga) › [法句譬喻經](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju) › [Texts from the Buddhist Canon commonly known as Dhammapada, with accompanying narratives](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju~en-beal) › 22.p6 # 法句譬喻經 22.p6 Texts from the Buddhist Canon commonly known as Dhammapada, with accompanying narratives 22.p6 - **Language:** English ### [22.p6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju~en-beal.22.p6) In days of old there was a country about 4000 lis to the south of Rājagriha wholly given up to Brahmanic rites, with about a thousand Brahmans (or several thousands) as inhabitants. At a certain period there was a drought in that country, extending over a space of three years. In vain the people had made sacrifices to all their gods—no good resulted. At length the King asked the Brahmachārins how this happened; to which they replied, “We must observe the very utmost of the Law, and dismiss certain men to hold converse with Brahma Deva, and request an end of these calamities.” On which the King demanded their intentions, with a view to forward them, to which they replied, “We require to have twenty chariots, with wood, incense, unguents, flags, and money, and sacrificing vessels.” The King having provided these things, they departed from the city about seven lis, and there, on a level space of earth, they erected their wood on high, and then exhorted one another not to regard their present bodily condition, but to aspire to be born in the heaven of Brahma; and so at length seven men were induced to consent to ascend the pyre, and be burned upon it. Then, after the usual prayers and ceremonies, they mounted the wood, and awaited the end. But when the light was applied to the lower part, hearing the cracking sound, and affrighted by the prospect of death, they arose and ran here and there, and besought to be rescued—but all in vain; and then, in distraction, they prayed thus, “Oh, is there no one in the three worlds to pity us! Oh, come thou and rescue us!” Hearing these words, Buddha appeared in mid-air above them, and as they were filled with joy, he said :— - [Previous: 22.p5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju~en-beal.22.p5) - [Next: 22.p7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju~en-beal.22.p7) - [Up: 22](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju~en-beal.22) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju~en-beal.22.p6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju~en-beal.22.p6) · Pramāṇa