The Dreams

One night King Bimbisara of Kosala  hadseveral strange dreams. On waking up, he sent for the wise Brahmins and told them abou this dreams.

"Consult the holy books and tell me what the dreams signify,"he told them. The Brahmins held a secret meeting. The king appeared perturbed, and this was a good opportunity to fleece him. "Let's not miss this chance,"they told each other. They went to the king and said, "Sire, were ferred to several rare texts. Your dream  sportend great calamities. These calamities are going to visit your person, your race, as well as your kingdom!"

The king was now really frightened. "Find out,"he implored, "how these calamities can be averted."

"We already know the remedy, your majesty, "the Brahmins told the king. "To avert danger,you must perform sacrifices wherever four roads meet, throughout the kingdom. At the end of these sacrifices, the Brahmins must be given afeast as well as gifts. By doing so, not only will all danger be averted, but much prosperity will follow.

"King Bimbisara accepted this advice blindly, called his treasurer and said, "Let a sacrifice be performed wherever four roads meet. Set a part enough funds to feed the Brahmins and to give them proper gifts."

The Queen heard this order. She went to the king and said, "My Lord, don't start the sesacrifices in a hurry. I'm sure, these Brahmins don't know what they say. The One who know severy thing is in Jetavana. Go to him, tell him about your dreams and, if he advises you to perform these sacrifices, you may do so, by all means.

"King Bimbisara accepted her advice. He went in person to Jetavana  and requested Lord Buddha to come over to the palace and eat with him. The Buddha agreed to the king's request and went to the palace. The king told the Great One, "Lord, you know everything. Last night I had a number of frightful dreams. I request you to tell me what those dreams signify. "The Buddha smiled at the king's belief insuperstitions. "Tell me your dreams,"he said," and I'll tell you what they signify."