In one past life, Buddha was <br />A young boy of Himalayas. <br />He was seeking the truth <br />And the life’s real worth. <br /> <br />He did austere penance. <br />Lord Indra, knowing this, <br />Disguised as a Demon came <br />To his place, to test him. <br /> <br />The Demon whispered like this: <br /> <br />“All is changeable and nothing is constant <br />This is the law of birth and death.” <br /> <br />The boy searched <br />And finally traced <br />It, behind a rock, hiding <br />And softly whispering. <br /> <br />He asked the Demon <br />“You spoke only two lines <br />Without the next two lines? <br />I wish to hear those lines.” <br /> <br />It showed no interest <br />And went on with its test, <br />“When my hunger is killing me, <br />Those lines, you’re asking me.” <br /> <br />He told, “You’re free <br />Anytime to swallow me, <br />But only after telling <br />The two lines remaining.” <br /> <br />Now you come here, <br />To satisfy my hunger. <br />I’ll tell those two lines, <br />The Demon said like this: <br /> <br />“Extinguishing the cycle of birth and death, <br />One experiences the joy of Nirvana.” <br /> <br />The boy then requested, <br />“What you’ve said, <br />Let me etch on stones <br />And tree trunks.” <br /> <br />“This should be known, <br />In future, to everyone. <br />You can eat me thereafter. <br />And satisfy your hunger.” <br /> <br />The Demon waited. <br />The boy then etched <br />The message in stones <br />And tree trunks. <br /> <br />In its mouth wide open <br />The boy jumped down. <br />Instead of eating the boy <br />Demon said with joy: <br /> <br />“I’m Lord Indra, in fact <br />I came here to test <br />Your will and determination. <br />In this test, you’ve won.”<br /><br />Rajaram Ramachandran<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/buddha-13-the-past-life-story/
