In the afternoon of that (fifth) day those _Ri_shis went up to the leaf-hut of the Bodhisattva, as they were in the habit of doing, in order to listen to his preaching of the Law. On seeing him, they perceived the leanness of his body. His cheeks looked hollow, his eyes were sunken, the splendour of his face had faded, his sonorous voice had lost its full sound. Yet, however emaciated, he was lovely to behold like the crescent; for his virtues, wisdom, constancy, tranquillity had not diminished. Accordingly, after coming into his presence and paying him the usual homage, they asked him with anxious excitement the cause of that emaciation. And the Bodhisattva told them the matter as he had experienced it. The ascetics, who could not suppose any one among themselves to have done an action so unbecoming as this, and who felt quite alarmed at his pain, expressed their sorrow by exclamations, and kept their eyes fixed on the ground for shame. But _S_akra having by his power obstructed their free movement on the ways in which they could obtain knowledge, they were unable to come to a conclusion as to the cause of the disappearance. Then the brother of the Bodhisattva, who was born next to him, showing both his alarmed mind and his guiltlessness, made this extraordinary protestation[142]: [142] The following set of remarkable protestations are also found in the same order and in a substantially identical form in the Pâli redaction. They are very old, and not wholly free from corruptions and misunderstandings. 11. 'May he who took thy lotus-stalks, O Brâhman, obtain a house betokening by its rich decoration the wealth of its owner, a wife to his heart's desire, and may he be blessed with many children and grand-children![143]' [143] The Pâli redaction adds, that the audience on hearing this protestation shut their ears, saying: 'Do not speak in this manner, friend! thy curse is too tremendous.' The second brother said: 12. 'May he who took thy lotus-stalks, O foremost Brâhman, be tainted with a strong attachment to worldliness, may he wear wreaths and garlands and sandal-powder and fine garments and ornaments, touched by his (playing) children!' The third brother said: 13. 'May he who took thy lotus-stalks even once, be a husbandman who, having obtained wealth in consequence of his husbandry and delighting in the prattle of his children, enjoys the home-life without thinking of the time when he must retire from the world![144]' [144] The Sanskrit text has vayo 'py apa_s_yan=Pâli vaya_m_ appassan. I follow the explication of the Pâli commentary. The fourth brother spoke: 14. 'May he who prompted by cupidity took thy lotus-stalks, rule the whole earth as a monarch, and be worshipped by kings attending on him in the humble attitude of slaves, lowering their trembling heads!' The fifth brother spoke: