Ajasat murdered his father, or at least
wrought his death; and was at first opposed to Sakyamuni, and a favorer
of Devadotta. When converted, he became famous for his liberality in
almsgiving.]
[Footnote 2: "Samadhi," says Eitel, "signifies the highest pitch of
abstract, ecstatic meditation; a state of absolute indifference to all
influences from within or without; a state of torpor of both the
material and spiritual forces of vitality; a sort of terrestrial
Nirvana, consistently culminating in total destruction of life."]
CHAPTER XXVII
~King Asoka's Spirit-built Palace and Halls~
Having crossed the river, and descended south for a yojana, the
travellers came to the town of Pataliputtra [1], in the kingdom of
Magadha, the city where king Asoka ruled. The royal palace and halls
in the midst of the city, which exist now as of old, were all made by
spirits which he employed, and which piled up the stones, reared the
walls and gates, and executed the elegant carving and inlaid
sculpture-work--in a way which no human hands of this world could
accomplish.
King Asoka had a younger brother who had attained to be an Arhat, and
resided on Gridhra-kuta hill, finding his delight in solitude and quiet.
The king, who sincerely reverenced him, wished and begged him to come
and live in his family, where he could supply all his wants.
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