A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s6.t3.169

v2.c19.s6.t3.169

When the Master was sojourning in Śrāvastī, Ānanda was in the habit of going daily to the town to beg for food. One day when he was returning from the town, he was thirsty, and saw a Caṇḍāla girl, named Prakṛti, fetching water from the well. "Sister," he said to her, "give me some water to drink." Thereupon Prakṛti replied: "I am a Caṇḍāla girl, honourable Ānanda." "Sister," said Ānanda, "I did not enquire about your family and your caste, but if you have water left, give me some, I want to drink."⁴ Then the girl gave him a drink, and fell deeply in love with the saint. She declares to her mother that she will surely die if she cannot get Ānanda as her husband. Then her mother, who is a great sorceress, prepares a potent love-charm,⁵ and bewitches Ānanda by means of mantras. The spell is successful, and Ānanda comes to the house of the Caṇḍālas, where the delighted Prakṛti has already prepared the couch. But at the moment of the greatest danger, Ānanda bursts into tears, and in his dire need prays to the Buddha. Buddha comes to his aid with *his* mantras; and Buddha's mantras render those of the sorceress powerless. Ānanda leaves the Caṇḍāla house, and returns to his monastery. The great sorceress explains to her unhappy daughter that the spells of Gautama are stronger than hers. But Prakṛti, the Caṇḍāla girl, was not cured of her love. She went into the town and now followed Ānanda daily when he went on his begging rounds. Again Ānanda, in his distress, appealed to the Master for help. Buddha sends for Prakṛti, and appears to agree to her desire of marrying Ānanda, but with great delicacy, he is able to induce her to take the vow of chastity, and become a nun. She not only has her hair cut off and assumes the garb of a nun, but she also enters into the complete understanding of the four noble truths, and entirely comprehends the religion of the Buddha.