[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Historical geography](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography) › [On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D.](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.watters-1904) › v2.c19.48 # On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c19.48 On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c19.48 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c19.48](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.watters-1904.v2.c19.48) The next object of which the pilgrim makes mention is the old foundation of the house in which the "Demon-eloquent" brahmin had lived, and the mention of this leads to the story of the exposure of the brahmin by Aśvaghosha. Yuan-chuang, giving apparently a local tradition, tells how there once was in Pāṭaliputra a brahmin who dwelt in a hut alone. He did not mix with his fellow-mortals, but sought success by worshipping demons, and was in league with elves; his sonorous discourse was small-talk, and his fine speech was echo-answering; old eminent scholars had not precedence of him, and ordinary men looked up to him as an arhat. But Aśvaghosha P'usa, whose knowledge embraced all things, and whose spiritual attainments extended over the "Three Vehicles", suspected the brahmin of being dependent on evil spirits for all his cleverness with his tongue. The P'usa reasoned that when fluency of speech is the gift of evil spirits what is said is not an answer to a question asked, and the speaker cannot repeat what he has once uttered to another. So Aśvaghosha visited the brahmin in order to put him to the test, and the interview convinced him that the brahmin was dependent on evil spirits. At Aśvaghosha's request the king summoned the brahmin to a public discussion at which the king was present. Aśvaghosha stated the subtleties of Buddhism, and the general principles of the Five Sciences, in a thorough manner and with clear eloquent diction. When the brahmin had spoken in reply Aśvaghosha said— You have missed the gist of my discourse, you must make your speech over again. But the brahmin remained silent so the P'usa jeered at him saying— "Why dont you explain. The sprites you serve should hasten to give you language". Then Aśvaghosha at once removed the screen which the brahmin kept before his face in order to ascertain what was strange in the possessed one's face. The brahmin, now put to utter confusion, prayed him to desist, and Aśvaghosha merely said to the audience— The collapse of this man's reputation today is an instance of "an empty name does not endure". Then the king addressing Aśvaghosha said— Had it not been for your abundant virtues, sir, this delusion would not have been exposed: the genius who knows others excels posterity, and reflects glory on predecessors, and according to the laws his great services must be recognized. - [Previous: v2.c19.47](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.watters-1904.v2.c19.47) - [Next: v2.c19.49](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.watters-1904.v2.c19.49) - [Up: v2.c19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.watters-1904.v2.c19) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.watters-1904.v2.c19.48](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.geography.watters-1904.v2.c19.48) · Pramāṇa