經律異相 45.28

45.28

There was a husband and wife who had no children. They made sacrificial offerings to a devatā to seek an heir. The deity granted it to them. She subsequently became pregnant and gave birth to four kinds of objects: first, a sandalwood bushel filled with rice; second, a vase of amṛta; third, a precious bag; fourth, a seven-jointed divine staff. The man lamented: "I sought a son, yet other things were born instead!" He then went to the deity's place to seek his wish again. The deity spoke to him: "You wish to obtain a son; what benefit would match these?" He answered: "A son can be commanded to serve and provide for us." The deity said: "Now, this bushel of rice is inexhaustible in use; this amṛta honey-vase never diminishes when consumed, and eliminates a hundred illnesses; the bag of rare gems never lessens when seen; the seven-jointed divine staff provides defense against violence and savagery. How could a son accomplish these?" The man was overjoyed. He returned home and tested them, and it was not false, just as stated. He subsequently became exceedingly wealthy beyond calculation. The king of the country heard of this, and immediately dispatched a host of soldiers intending to go and seize them by force. The man held up the staff, flew about, struck the enemy, and crushed them; the strong host all retreated and dispersed. The man was joyful and no longer had any anxiety or trouble. (Extracted from the Avadāna-sūtra, fascicle 10)