Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c30.642

v2.c30.642

On the day of the capture of Bhūridatta, his mother had a terrifying dream, and later, when Bhūridatta had been absent for a month, she grew very anxious and lamented piteously. A search was instituted—Kāṇārittha was sent to the deva-world, Subhaga to Himavā, Sudassana and Accimukhī to the world of men. Sudassana went disguised as an ascetic, and Accimukhī, assuming the form of a frog, hid in his matted hair. They found Ālambāyana making ready to give an exhibition of Bhūridatta's dancing before the king of Benares. Sudassana took up his stand at the edge of the crowd, and Bhūridatta, seeing him, went up to him. The crowd retreated in fear. When Bhūridatta was back in his basket, Sudassana challenged Ālambāyana to prove that his magic powers were greater than those of Sudassana. This challenge was accepted, and Sudassana called out to Accimukhī who, uttering the frog's cry, stood on his shoulder, and having spat drops of poison on to his palm, went back into his hair. Saying that the country would be destroyed if the poison fell on the earth, Sudassana had three holes dug, and filled the first with drugs, the second with cowdung, and the third with heavenly medicines. He poured the poison into the first hole; a flame instantly burst out, spread to the second, and, having travelled on to the third, consumed all the medicines and was extinguished. Ālambāyana was standing near the last hole: the heat of the poison smote him, the colour of his skin changed, and he became a leper. Filled with terror, he set the Nāga free. Bhūridatta assumed a radiant form, decked with all ornaments; so did Sudassana and Accimukhī. The king, on discovering that they were the children of Samuddajā, rejoiced greatly and entertained them. Bhūridatta returned to the Nāga-world, the king accompanying him. The king stayed there for some days and then returned to his kingdom.