When Kâlinga heard the message he remained within his own border, and Assaka went not beyond his.
At that time the Bodhisat had adopted the life of a holy anchorite, and had taken up his abode in a hermitage midway between the two kings.
Then thought Kâlinga to himself, "These ascetics know a thing or two, so I'll ask this hermit if he can inform me to which of the two kings there will be victory or defeat." Feigning himself to be another person he approached the Bodhisat and saluted him. Seating himself near the holy man, he entered into conversation with him. "Reverend sir, Kâlinga and Assaka are desirous of fighting, and have even now taken up a position within their own frontiers. To which of these will there be victory, and to which defeat?"
"I do not know, worshipful sir," replied the hermit, "which of the two will be victorious, or which will be defeated; but Indra, the king of the gods, is coming here, and I'll inquire and consult him about it. You may come here again to-morrow."
Indra paid a visit to the Bodhisat and took a seat near him. Then the hermit inquired concerning the matter already referred to. The god replied, "Sir, Kâlinga will be victorious and Assaka will be defeated, and such and such omens will appear before the engagement begins." The next day Kâlinga returned to gain further information. The Bodhisat informed him that Assaka would be worsted. The king did not inquire of the hermit what foretokens or omens there should be in connection with the coming contest, but went his way exclaiming, "I'm to gain the day." This affair got noised abroad, and when Assaka heard of it he sent for Nandisena, and said to him, "It is said that Kâlinga is to be victorious, and that I am to be defeated. What then had we better do?" The minister replied, "Don't concern yourself as to which party will win or lose." Off he went to the Bodhisat, and after greeting him he took a seat near him, saying, "Reverend sir, will you kindly inform me who, in the coming conflict, will win and who will lose the day?" The hermit gave him the same answer that he had previously given to Kalinga. "Will your reverence," he continued, "let me know what omens will appear to each side before the battle begins?" To this the hermit made answer, "Worshipful
