The elephant, hearing Buddha’s words, escaped from drunkenness, rejoiced in heart; his mind and body both found rest, as one athirst finds joy who drinks of heavenly dew.  The elephant being thus converted, the people around were filled with joy; they all raised a cry of wonder at the miracle, and brought their offerings of every kind.  The scarcely-good arrived at middle-virtue, the middling-good passed to a higher grade, the unbelieving now became believers, those who believed were strengthened in their faith.  Agatasatru, mighty king, seeing how Buddha conquered the drunken elephant, was moved at heart by thoughts profound; then, filled with joy, he found a twofold growth of piety.  Tathagata, by exercise of virtue, exhibited all kinds of spiritual powers; thus he subdued and harmonized the minds of all, and caused them in due order to attain religious truth, and through the kingdom virtuous seeds were sown, as at the first when men began to live.  But Devadatta, mad with rage, because he was ensnared by his own wickedness, at first by power miraculous able to fly, now fallen, dwells in lowest hell.

The Lady Amra Sees Buddha

The lord of the world having finished his wide work of conversion conceived in himself a desire for Nirvana.  Accordingly proceeding from the city of Ragagriha, he went on towards the town of Pataliputra.

Having arrived there, he dwelt in the famous Patali ketiya.  Now this town of Pataliputra is the frontier town of Magadha, defending the outskirts of the country.  Ruling the country was a Brahman of wide renown and great learning in the scriptures; and there was also an overseer of the country, to take the omens of the land with respect to rest or calamity.  At this time the king of Magadha sent to that officer of inspection a messenger, to warn and command him to raise fortifications in the neighborhood of the town for its security and protection.  And now the lord of the world, as they were raising the fortifications, predicted that in consequence of the Devas and spirits who protected and kept the land, the place should continue strong and free from calamity or destruction.  On this the heart of the overseer greatly rejoiced, and he made religious offerings to Buddha, the law, and the church.  Buddha now leaving the city gate went on towards the river Ganges.  The overseer, from his deep reverence for Buddha, named the gate through which the lord had passed the “Gautama gate.”  Meanwhile the people all by the side of the river Ganges went forth to pay reverence to the lord of the world.  They prepared for him every kind of religious offering, and each one with his gaudy boat invited him to cross over.  The lord of the world, considering the number of the boats, feared lest by an appearance of partiality in accepting one, he might hurt the minds of all the rest.  Therefore in a moment, by his spiritual power, he transported himself and the great congregation across the river, leaving