108. The Buddha deliberates to whom he shall reveal the Law (?)

Then thought the Tathagata: "To whom first of all shall I reveal the Law ? " And he considered: "Rudraka, son of Rama, is pure and good by nature… Where cloth he dwell at the present day ?"

Then he became conscious that Rudraka had died seven days ago. Also the gods falling at the Tathagata's feet said: "So it is, Bhagavan, so it is, Sugata; to-day Rudraka, son of Rama, is dead seven days."

Then thought the Tathagata: "Arada Kalapa too is pure and such a one as would put no hindrance in my way of teaching the Law". And he mused: "Where is he at the present moment ? " And while he mused he knew that Arada had died three days before. Also the Quddhavasakayika gods told him: "So it is, Bhagavan, so it is, Sugata; to-day Arada Kalapa is dead three days."

Then thought the Tathagata: "The five of the blessed company are pure and good by nature.... to them will I first reveal the Law." And he mused: "Where do they live at present, the five of the blessed company?" He looked round the whole world with clearseeing eyes and saw the five of the blessed company dwelling at Benares, at Rsipatana in the deer park. (402: 19; 403: 3, 8, 11, 20;404:7, 12, 14).

It seems to me very doubtful if this relief represents the episode of the above-quoted text. Quite to the right, the Buddha is seated on a throne with makara-ornement; an umbrella is there too above his head. He makes a gesture of argument with his right hand. Next to him is a vase with legs, there are lotuses in it and the smoke of perfume rising from it. The uncertainty is about the persons who occupy nearly all the right of the relief, with a background of trees. In the front, nearest to the Buddha, sits a figure in royal or divine costume making a sembah, a little further are three men in much the same dress, two of them holding a bowl of flowers. Then come some kneeling figures in plainer clothes with the umbrella and other royal insignia and finally, away on the left, some more persons are sitting very plainly-dressed, some armed with sword and shield. The four front ones might be gods, but the rest of the company look much more like the ordinary royal suite than part of a heavenly crowd. Although we have quoted above a passage that according to the text ought to follow, and which is possibly the one represented, I am much more inclined to think that the sculptor has here followed a deviating text and depicts the visit paid by a king with a distinguished escort and ordinary suite, to the Buddha. This view seems the more probable because we have no explanation for the following relief.