大唐西域記 12.45

12.45

城東南百餘里有大河，西北流，國人利之，以用溉田。其後斷流，王深怪異。於是命駕問羅漢僧曰：「大河之水，國人取給，今忽斷流，其咎安在？為政有不平，德有不洽乎？不然，垂譴何重也？」羅漢曰：「大王治國，政化清和。河水斷流，龍所為耳。宜速祠求，當復昔利。」王因迴駕，祠祭河龍。忽有一女凌波而至，曰：「我夫早喪，主命無從；所以河水絕流，農人失利。王於國內選一貴臣，配我為夫，水流如昔。」王曰：「敬聞，任所欲耳。」龍遂目悅國之大臣。王既迴駕，謂群下曰：「大臣者，國之重鎮；農務者，人之命食。國失鎮則危，人絕食則死。危、死之事，何所宜行？」大臣越席，跪而對曰：「久已虛薄，謬當重任。常思報國，未遇其時，今而預選，敢塞深責。苟利萬姓，何吝一臣？臣者，國之佐；人者，國之本，願大王不再思也。幸為修福，建僧伽藍。」王允所求，功成不日。其臣又請早入龍宮，於是舉國僚庶，鼓樂飲餞。其臣乃衣素服，乘白馬，與王辭訣，敬謝國人。驅馬入河，履水不溺，濟乎中流，麾鞭畫水，水為中開，自茲沒矣。頃之，白馬浮出，負一栴檀大鼓，封一函書。其書大略曰：「大王不遺細微，謬參神選，願多營福，益國滋臣。以此大鼓，懸城東南，若有寇至，鼓先聲震。」河水遂流，至今利用。歲月浸遠，龍鼓久無。舊懸之處，今仍有鼓。池側伽藍，荒圮無僧。

To the south-east of the capital about 200 li or so is a great river flowing north-west. The people take advantage of it to irrigate their lands. After a time this stream ceased to flow. The king, greatly astonished at the strange event, ordered his carriage to be equipped and went to an Arhat and asked him, "The waters of the great river, which have been so beneficial to man, have suddenly ceased. Is not my rule a just one? are not my benefits (virtues) widely distributed through the world? If it be not so, what is my fault, or why is this calamity permitted?" The Arhat said, "Your majesty governs his kingdom well, and the influence of your rule is for the well-being and peace of your people. The arrest in the flow of the river is on account of the dragon dwelling therein. You should offer sacrifices and address your prayers to him; you will then recover your former benefits (from the river)." Then the king returned and offered sacrifice to the river dragon. Suddenly a woman emerged from the stream, and advancing said to him, "My lord is just dead, and there is no one to issue orders; and this is the reason why the current of the stream is arrested and the husbandmen have lost their usual profits. If your majesty will choose from your kingdom a minister of state of noble family and give him to me as a husband, then he may order the stream to flow as before."

The king said, "I will attend with respect to your request and meet your wishes." The Naga (woman) was rejoiced (to have obtained the promise of) a great minister of the country (as a husband). The king having returned, addressed his dependents thus, "A great minister is the stronghold of the state. The pursuit of agriculture is the secret of men's life. Without a strong support, then, there is ruin to the state; without food there is death to the people. In the presence of such calamities what is to be done ? " A great minister, leaving his seat, prostrated himself and said, " For a long time I have led a useless life, and held an important post without profit to others. Although I have desired to benefit my country, no occasion has offered. Now, then, I pray you choose me, and I will do my best to meet your wishes. In view of the good of the entire people what is the life of one minister ? A minister is the support of the country ; the people the substance. I beg your majesty not to hesitate. I only ask that, for the purpose of securing merit, I may found a convent."

The king having consented, the thing was done forthwith, and his request complied with. On this the minister asked to be allowed to enter at once the dragon-palace. Then all the chief men of the kingdom made a feast, with music and rejoicing, whilst the minister, clad in white garments and riding a white horse, took leave of the king and respectfully parted with the people of the country. So, pressing on his horse, he entered the river ; advancing in the stream, he sank not, till at length, when in the middle of it, he whipped the stream with his lash, and forthwith the water opened in the midst and he disappeared. A short time afterwards the white horse came up and floated on the water, carrying on his back a great sandalwood drum, in which was a letter, the contents of which were briefly these : " Your majesty has not made the least error in selecting me for this office in connection with the spirit (Nâga). May you enjoy much happiness and your kingdom be prosperous ! Your minister sends you this drum to suspend at the south-east of the city ; if an enemy approaches, it will sound first of all." The river began then to flow, and down to the present time has caused continued advantage to the people. Many years and months have elapsed since then, and the place where the dragon-drum was hung has long since disappeared, but the ruined convent by the side of the drum-lake still remains, but it has no priests and is deserted.