[III. The Miracles at Uruvelā]
[27: The Rag-Robe Miracle]
Then at that time there was a rag-robe that had arisen to the Fortunate One. Then this occurred to the Fortunate One: “Now where can I wash this rag-robe?” Then, Sakka, the Lord of the Gods, knowing with his mind the reflection that had arisen in the Fortunate One’s mind, having dug a lake with his hand, said this to the Fortunate One: “May the Fortunate One, venerable Sir, wash the rag-robe here.”
Then this occurred to the Fortunate One: “Now on what can I beat this rag-robe?” Then, Sakka, the Lord of the Gods, knowing with his mind the reflection that had arisen in the Fortunate One’s mind, set up a great rock, (saying): “May the Fortunate One, venerable Sir, beat the rag-robe here.”
Then this occurred to the Fortunate One: “Now having grabbed hold of what can I emerge (from the lake)?” Then a god who was living in an Arjuna (tree), Terminalia arjuna, a medicinal tree of the order Myrtales. knowing with his mind the reflection that had arisen in the Fortunate One’s mind, bent down a branch, (saying): “May the Fortunate One, venerable Sir, having grabbed hold here emerge (from the lake).”
Then this occurred to the Fortunate One: “Now on what can I stretch out this rag-robe (for drying)?” Then, Sakka, the Lord of the Gods, knowing with his mind the reflection that had arisen in the Fortunate One’s mind, set up a great rock, (saying): “May the Fortunate One, venerable Sir, stretch out the rag-robe here.”
Then the yogi Uruvelakassapa, with the passing of that night, approached the Fortunate One, and after approaching, he said this to the Fortunate One: “It is time, Great Ascetic, the meal is ready. Now how is it, Great Ascetic, this lake was not here formerly, (and yet) this lake is here? This rock was not set up here formerly: this rock was set up by whom? This branch of the Arjuna (tree) was not bent down formerly, (and yet) this branch is bent down (now)? ”
“Here, Kassapa, a rag-robe arose to me. Then, Kassapa, this occurred to me: ‘Now where can I wash this rag-robe?’ Then, Sakka, the Lord of the Gods, Kassapa, knowing with his mind the reflection that had arisen in my mind, having dug a lake with his hand, said this to me: ‘May the Fortunate One, venerable Sir, wash the rag-robe here,’ the lake was dug by the divine being himself with his own hand.
Then this, Kassapa, occurred to me: ‘Now on what can I beat this rag-robe?’ Then, Sakka, the Lord of the Gods, Kassapa, knowing with his mind the reflection that had arisen in my mind, set up a great rock, (saying): ‘May the Fortunate One, venerable Sir, beat the rag-robe here,’ the rock was set up by the divine being himself.
Then, Kassapa, this occurred to me: ‘Now having grabbed hold of what can I emerge (from the lake)?’ Then, Kassapa, a god who was living in an Arjuna (tree), knowing with his mind the reflection that had arisen in my mind, bent down a branch, (saying): ‘May the Fortunate One, venerable Sir, having grabbed hold here emerge (from the lake),’ this Arjuna (tree-spirit) gave a hand himself.
Then, Kassapa, this occurred to me: ‘Now on what can I stretch out this rag-robe (for drying)?’ Then, Kassapa, Sakka, the Lord of the Gods, knowing with his mind the reflection that had arisen in my mind, set up a great rock, (saying): ‘May the Fortunate One, venerable Sir, stretch out the rag-robe here,’ the rock was set up by this divine being himself.”
Then this occurred to the yogi Uruvelakassapa: Powerful and majestic is this Great Ascetic, since even Sakka, the Lord of the Gods, does (him) service, but he is surely not a Worthy One like I am.” Then the Fortunate One, having eaten the yogi Uruvelakassapa’s food, dwelt on in that very jungle thicket.