city in course of corstruction, through which he passes, and the ferry where he crosses, obtain the names of the Gotamo gate and Gotamo ferry.
The Barmese account, as given by Bishop Bigandet, is slightly different (Bigandet’s Life of Gandama, page 256):—
"Phra summoned again Ananda to his presence, and directed him to tell the Rahans to be ready for a voyage, as he desired to go to the village of Pâtali. When he arrived at that place, the people prepared for him the ‘dzeat’ or hall which had been erected by the order of Adzatathat. It is in the following year that the same king built the city of Pâtahbot, or Pâṭaliputra, on that same spot. In anticipation of that event, Buddha foretold that the village would become a great city, which would obtain a renowned celebrity among all other cities. Thither countless merchants would resort from all parts of Dzampoodipa. At the same time, he predicted the great calamities that would befall it. Internal discords, fire, and inundation of the Ganges would gradually work out its total destruction."
The date of the building of Pâṭaliputra as thus given in the Barmese version is the year of Buddha’s death. Ajâtasatru is there stated to have ascended the throne in the 37th year of Buddha’s public ministration, or eight years before his nirvân, thus corresponding with Turnour’s account in the Mahâwanso (page xlvii). The era, however, used in the Barmese version is called the Eetzana era; this era is there stated to have been established by Eetzana (Anjana), King of Dewaha. As Buddha was born in the 68th year of this era, it is clear that this era was established 67 years before his birth; it began on a Sunday, the 1st of the waxing moon of the month of Tajoo.
The Eetzana (Anjana) era was done away with by King Ajâtasatru in its 148th year, and a now era dating from the nirvân of Buddha established. In the third year of this era Vaisâli was conquered by Ajâtasatru.
Ajâtasatru is stated to have reigned 35 years, and died in the year 25 of the religious era; but this statement must be a mistake, for as he ascended the throne in the 37th year of Buddha’s ministry, i.e., eight years before his death, and died in the 25th year from Buddha’s nirvân, he could not have reigned over 32 years, and this corresponds with the number of years assigned to his reign from Ceylonese records, vide—Turnour, page xlvii.
Ajâtasatru was suceceded by four other kings of his race, when the people of Pâṭaliputra are stated to have revolted and set up Susinâgo as king in the year 63 of Buddha.
