[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Literature, language and dating](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature) › [A History of Indian Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927) › v2.c19.s6.t3.172 # A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s6.t3.172 A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s6.t3.172 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c19.s6.t3.172](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s6.t3.172) Now when the Brahmans, warriors and citizens of Śrāvastī heard that Buddha had ordained a Caṇḍāla girl as a nun, they were very angry; they reported the matter to King Prasenajit, and the king immediately went to the Master in order to complain of this procedure. Many Brahmans, warriors and citizens of Śrāvastī were also assembled there. Then the Buddha told the story of Triśaṅku, the Caṇḍāla chief, who wished to marry his very learned son Śārdūlakarṇa to the daughter of the proud Brahman Puṣkarasārin. The Brahman rejects him with scorn. Now a most interesting dialogue is developed, in which Triśaṅku severely criticises the caste system and the Brahmanical ethical teachings. He points out to him that such differences as exist among the different kinds of animals and plants, cannot be shown among the castes. Moreover, according to the theory of the transmigration of souls and of Karman, there cannot be any castes, as everyone is reborn according to his actions, and so on. Finally Puṣkarasārin is convinced of the learning of Triśaṅku, whereupon he consents to the marriage. Now the Brahman's daughter was none other than Prakṛti, the Caṇḍāla girl, in a former birth. The Buddha himself was at that time Triśaṅku and Śārdūlakarṇa was Ānanda.¹ - [Previous: v2.c19.s6.t3.171](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s6.t3.171) - [Next: v2.c19.s6.t3.173](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s6.t3.173) - [Up: v2.c19.s6.t3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s6.t3) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s6.t3.172](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s6.t3.172) · Pramāṇa