40c: The Last Days 3, In Malla – 1567
said: “Ānanda, go and get some drinking water. Ānanda, I am thirsty. I want to
have a drink of water.” Ven. Ānanda said: “Venerable sir, 500 carts have just
now crossed the stream. The shallow water is disturbed and is turbid. Venerable
sir, the river Kakudhā is not far off. There the water is clear, sweet, cool and
free from muddiness. The river bank is also pleasant and inviting. The Fortunate
One may take his drink of water at the river Kakudhā and also may cool his
limbs there.”
“Ānanda, go and get some drinking water. Ānanda, I am thirsty. I want to have
a drink of water.” Ven. Ānanda again said: “Venerable sir, 500 carts have just
crossed the stream. The shallow water is disturbed and is turbid. Venerable sir,
the river Kakudhā is not far off. There the water is clear, sweet, cool and free
from muddiness. The river bank is also pleasant and inviting. The Fortunate One
may take his drink of water at the river Kakudhā, and also may cool his limbs
there.”
“Ānanda, go and get some drinking water. Ānanda, I am thirsty. I want to have
a drink of water.” After being commanded thrice by the Buddha, Ven. Ānanda
assented: “Very well, venerable sir,” and taking the alms bowl, went to the little
stream. Then the shallow water which was turbid after having been disturbed by
the caravan, became mysteriously clear, pure and free from muddiness.
Thereupon, Ven. Ānanda thought to himself: “Wonderful indeed, and
marvellous indeed, is the great power of the Realised One! This shallow stream
which was turbid due to the crossing of the caravan is, on my arrival, flowing
clear, pure and free from muddiness.”
With these thoughts of wonderment, Ven. Ānanda took the drinking water in
the alms bowl, went back to the Buddha, and said: “Wonderful indeed, venerable
sir, marvellous indeed, venerable sir, is the great power of the Realised One!
That shallow stream which was turbid due to the crossing of the caravan just
now, on my arrival there, was flowing clear, pure and free from muddiness.
Now let the Fortunate One drink the water. Let the Fortunate One drink the
water.” And the Buddha drank the water.