History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c13.s2.10

c13.s2.10

Meanwhile a peasant who was a devotee of Pūraṇa Kassapa had unyoked his oxen, and, taking a vessel of gruel and a cord, had set out for Sāvatthi, intending to watch the miracle-contest. On the way he met Pūraṇa in his flight, and said: "I set out, sir, to see my noble masters perform a miracle. Where are you going?" "What is a miracle to you? (*Kin te paṭihāreṇa ?*)," replied Pūraṇa, "Give me that pot and cord!" He then took the pot and cord, went to the bank of a river, tied the pot round his neck, and jumped into the stream. Raising bubbles in the water, he died, and was reborn in the Avīci hell.