290. ‘Tis not too hot; ‘tis not too cold;
There’s plenty now of all good things;
The earth is clad with verdure green,
Fit is the time, O mighty Sage!
Then the Master said to him, “But why, Udāyin, do you sing the pleasures of travelling with so sweet a voice?”
“My lord!” was the reply, “your father is anxious to see you once more; will you not show favour to your relations?”
“’Tis well said, Udāyin! I will do so. Tell the Order that they shall fulfil the duty laid on all its members of journeying from place to place.”
Kāḷa Udāyin accordingly told the brethren. And the Blessed One, attended by twenty thousand mendicants free from sin—ten thousand from the upper classes in Magadha and Anga, and ten thousand from the upper classes in Kapilavatthu—started from Rājagaha, and travelled a league a day; going slowly with the intention of reaching Kapilavatthu, sixty leagues from Rājagaha, in two months.
And the Elder, thinking, “I will let the king know that the Blessed One has started,” rose into the air and appeared in the king’s house. The king was glad to see the Elder, made him sit down on a splendid couch, filled a bowl with the delicious food made ready for himself, and gave to him. Then the Elder rose up, and made as if he would go away.
“Sit down and eat,” said the king.