And the Lord signified by silence his consent, and seeing he had consented, Chunda the worker in metals, bowed before him and keeping him on his right hand, departed. And at the end of the night Chunda made ready in his house excellent food, hard and soft, sweet rice and cakes and the food, found in the earth and loved by boars, truffles, and when all was ready he announced it to the Lord saying: “Exalted One, the meal is ready.” And the Blessed One robed himself and took his bowl and he and his followers went to the dwelling-place of Chunda. And when the meal was over, he gladdened the smith with discourse of high matters, and so rose and departed. But after the Blessed One had eaten of his food then fell upon him a grievous disease, and sharp pain came upon him even to death, but he bore it without complaint mindful and self-possessed. And to the venerable Ananda he said: “Come, let us go to Kusinara.” “Even so, Lord,” said the venerable Ananda. And they went, but as they went the Blessed One grew very weary and he rested beneath a tree and said: “Fold the robe and spread it for me, I pray you. I am weary, Ananda, and I must rest awhile.” And the robe was spread, folded fourfold, and when the World-Honoured was seated he asked for fresh water to drink and Ananda answered: “But, Lord, five hundred carts have just gone by across the stream and stirred up by the wheels it has become fouled and turbid. Let us wait for the river, cool and transparent, easy to get into. There the Blessed One may drink and cool his limbs.” But his thirst would not wait, and taking a bowl Ananda went down to the stream, and when he came to it it flowed clear as light. And he thought: “How wonderful, how marvellous is the power of Him who has thus Attained. For this turbid stream is flowing brightly now.” And when he returned he said: “Great is the power of the Lord. Let the Happy One drink!” Now at that time a young man named Pukkusa, a disciple of the Brahman Alara, passed along the highway, and seeing the Blessed One very weary beneath the tree he came and saluted him taking his seat respectfully beside him, and the Holy One discoursed with him on the depths of calm in pure contemplation and abstraction of mind from the vain shows about us, and with every power of his mind and heart did the young man listen, and when the great teaching was ended, he said: “Most excellent, Lord, are the words of your mouth—most excellent. As it were to bring a lamp into the darkness so are your words. And I, even I, betake myself to the Blessed One as my refuge, to the Truth and the Brotherhood. May I be accepted as a disciple!” And the young Pukkusa presented two robes of burnished cloth of gold to the World-Honoured, saying: “May favour be shown and these accepted at my hand!” “In that case, Pukkusa, offer the one to me and the other to Ananda.” And so it was done and the young man gladdened and strengthened, rose and bowed down and went his way.