The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c14.134

c14.134

In the Lohakumbhi Jâtaka, it is not dreams which frighten the king but moans from the four sons of the king condemned to live in hell who in a former existence led a loose life. Here also the Brâhmaṇas advise a fourfold sacrifice (sabbacattukayañña, III. 44) in order to avert the impending misfortune and the king orders immediately to take four elephants, four horses, four bulls and four men and of all other creatures, quails, etc., any four samples and in this way to institute a complete fourfold sacrifice. When the king later learns the true cause of the moan, he causes the place of sacrifice to be destroyed.