經律異相 46.31

46.31

There was a ghost and spirit whose body was extremely large, with hands of golden colour. From his five fingers amṛta constantly flowed. If a traveller needed anything, whether food, drink, or necessities of life, all came forth from his fingers, freely given to them. Maudgalyāyana asked, "Which heaven are you from? The karmic fruit of your merits is extraordinary to such a degree." [The spirit replied,] "I am not a heavenly king or a Brahmā king. I am a ghost and spirit, and I reside relying on a great city of a certain country. I came here merely to wander and sightsee." Maudgalyāyana asked, "What good deeds did you perform to obtain such retribution?" He replied: "The great city in that country is called Rauruka. In the past I was a poor woman there, spinning woollen thread and sacks to sell to support myself. My livelihood grew ever poorer, and my house was completely ruined. Thereupon I went to the street corner, spinning thread near the house of an exceedingly wealthy and generous elder to support myself. When midday was approaching, whenever a śramaṇa or brāhmaṇa came holding a bowl begging for food and asked me: 'Where is the house of that elder?', my mind was truthful and devoid of deceit; joyful, I raised my hand and pointed to his house, saying: 'Go to that place. The midday hour is about to pass; do not seek elsewhere'" (drawn from the *Samyukta-piṭaka-sūtra*).