Tradition tells us that four asankheyyas[121] and a hundred thousand cycles ago there was a city called Amaravatī. In this city there dwelt a brahmin named Sumedha, of good family on both sides, on the father’s and the mother’s side, of pure conception for seven generations back, by birth unreproached and respected, a man comely, well-favoured and amiable, and endowed with remarkable beauty. He followed his brahminical studies without engaging in any other pursuit. His parents died while he was still young. A minister of state, who acted as steward of his property, bringing forth the roll-book of his estate, threw open the stores filled with gold and silver, gems and pearls, and other valuables, and said, “So much, young man, belonged to your mother, so much to your father, so much to your grandparents and great-grandparents,” and pointing out to him the property inherited through seven generations, he bade him guard it carefully. The wise Sumedha thought to himself, “After amassing all this wealth my parents and ancestors when they went to another world took not a farthing with them, can it be right that I should make it an object to take my wealth with me when I go?” And informing the king of his intention, he caused proclamation to be made[122] in the city, gave largess to the people, and embraced the ascetic life of a hermit. To make this matter clear the STORY OF SUMEDHA must here be related. This story, though given in full in the Buddhava_m_sa, from its being in a metrical form, is not very easy to understand. I will therefore relate it with sentences at intervals explaining the metrical construction. Four asankheyyas and a hundred thousand cycles ago there was a city called Amaravatī or Amara, resounding with the ten city cries, concerning which it is said in Buddhava_m_sa, 12. Four asankheyyas and a hundred thousand cycles ago A city there was called Amara, beautiful and pleasant, Resounding with the ten cries, abounding in food and drink.[123] Then follows a stanza of Buddhava_m_sa, enumerating some of these cries, 13. The trumpeting of elephants, the neighing of horses, (the sound of) drums, trumpets, and chariots, And viands and drinks were cried, with the invitation, “Eat and drink.” It goes on to say, 14. A city supplied with every requisite, engaged in every sort of industry, Possessing the seven precious things, thronged with dwellers of many races; The abode of devout men, like the prosperous city of the angels. 15. In the city of Amaravatī dwelt a brahmin named Sumedha, Whose hoard was many tens of millions, blest with much wealth and store; 16. Studious, knowing the Mantras, versed in the three Vedas, Master of the science of divination and of the traditions and observances of his caste.