Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c9.298

v1.c9.298

One day Sāriputta fell ill and Uttara set out early to find a physician. On the way he set down his bowl by a lake and went down to wash his mouth. A certain thief, pursued by the police, dropped his stolen jewels into the novice’s bowl and fled. Uttara was brought before Vassakāra who, to satisfy his grudge, ordered him to be impaled. The Buddha, seeing the ripeness of his insight, went to him and placing a gentle hand, “like a shower of crimson gold,” on Uttara’s head, spoke to him and encouraged him to reflection. Transported with joy and rapture at the Master’s touch, he attained sixfold *abhiññā* and became arahant. Rising from the stake, he stood in mid-air and his wound was healed. Addressing his fellow-celibates, he told them how, when he realised the evils of rebirth, he forgot the lesser evil of present pain.²