On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c19.22

v2.c19.22

Continuing his description Yuan-chuang relates that to the north of the "old palace", that is, old capital, was a large stone cavern which on the outside had the appearance of a hill, and inside was some scores of feet wide. Asoka had made this by the agency of the inferior gods (kuei-shên) for his uterine younger brother named Mahendra when the latter was a mendicant ascetic. This brother, the pilgrim relates, had used his high birth to slight the laws and lead a dissolute life, oppressing the people until they became provoked. The high ministers and old statesmen reported the matter to the king giving him advice and requesting that the laws be observed and justice administered. The king said with tears to Mahendra— "As sovereign I have the protection of all men and specially of you my brother; but forgetting my affection I have not in time guarded and guided you, and you have now incurred the penalties of the law. I am in fear of my ancestors, and perplexed by counsels". Mahendra made obeisance and confessed saying— "I have misconducted myself presuming to break the laws. I pray for a reprieve of seven days". The king then consigned Mahendra to a dark chamber, with a keeper, and had him supplied with dainties and luxuries. On the sixth day Mahendra was in great trouble and fear, but by renewed bodily and mental application he attained arhatship; then mounting in the air he made divine exhibitions, and quitting the affairs of this life he went off to lodge in a mountain gorge. Asoka induced him to return to the capital by promising to make him a cave-dwelling there. Mahendra consented, and Asoka called the inferior gods to a feast telling them to bring each a stone seat for himself. When the feast was over the gods were requested to pile up the stones so as to make an "empty house".