and sapphires; and prompted by curiosity they asked Supâraga:
18. 'Which of the seas now appears to us? Its waters have the colour of the blades of ripe kusa-grass. The breaking of its wind-stirred billows crowns it with a many-coloured foam-ornament, and makes it look as if it were overspread with flowers.'
Supâraga said: 'Say, merchants, you should now make efforts to turn back. Surely it is not advisable to go farther.
19. 'This is the sea named Kusamâlin [= wearing kusa-garlands]. Like an elephant not heeding the goad, it drags forcibly along with its irresistible waves, and will take away our enjoyment.'
And the merchants, not being able to turn the ship, however bravely they exerted themselves, crossed also that sea. Then perceiving another sea, the water of which had a greenish colour like that proceeding from the united brilliancy of emeralds and beryls, they asked Supâraga:
20. 'The sea we now behold has yet another appearance. Its waters have the green shine of emeralds and resemble a splendid meadow; they are adorned with foam as lovely as waterlilies. Which sea is this again?'
Upon this the Great Being, whose heart ached as he foresaw the calamity which was about to befall the merchants, heaved a long and deep sigh, and said in a low tone:
21. 'You have gone too far. It will be hard to return from hence. This sea, the Nalamâlin [= wearing reed-garlands[1]], is wellnigh at the end of the world.'
When they heard that answer, the poor merchants were utterly afflicted. Their minds lost their energy, their limbs became powerless, and sitting down in
- ↑ In the Pâli redaction this sea has the appearance of an immense reed-bed or bamboo-grove (nalavanam viya ka veluvanam viya ka), and the commentator argues that those names of grasses convey also the acceptation of some precious stones. But the stones there are of a red colour.
