filled with longing, so that he flung himself adoring at the feet of the deceptive apparition and, overcome by grief, wailed, "Woe upon this pitiless evanescence that dissolves even such glorious forms. For that splendid body of the Great and Holy One bowed to the law of change and has become a prey to destruction."
But not so Vasitthi.
Unmoved and self-possessed, she looked upon the likeness as an artist on his work, full of but one thought—to reveal it to Kamanita.
"Now I begin to see a figure," said the latter. "Oh, hold it fast, let it shine yet more clearly."
Whereupon Vasitthi again looked around her in space. In the midst of it there still remained the lurid and angry glow of the hundred-thousand-fold Brahma.
And Vasitthi rent by her spiritual force this highest deity from his place and banned him into the mould of the Buddha likeness, which immediately lighted up and grew animated like one who has enjoyed an invigorating draught.
"Now I see it more distinctly," said Kamanita.
It seemed to Vasitthi, however, that the Buddha spoke to her.
"So thou art come, my daughter. Art thou finished with thy sentence?"
And as one answers in a dream, Vasitthi responded—
"I am finished with it, O Master."
"Right so, my daughter! And the long way has not tired thee? Dost thou still need the help of the Perfect One?"
"No, O Master, I no longer need the help of the Perfect One."
"Right so, my daughter. Thou hast sought refuge in thyself, thou dost rest in thine own self, Vasitthi?"
