Milinda’s Questions

Great Chapter

2. Question on Counting Rains

“How many rains do you have, Venerable Nāgasena?”

“I have seven rains, your majesty.”

“What are these seven, venerable sir, are you the seven, or is the reckoning seven?”

Then, at that time, the shadow of the king adorned with all his ornaments, all decked up and prepared, appeared on the ground and is seen in a vessel of water.

Then Venerable Nāgasena said this to King Milinda,

“This shadow appears on the ground and in the vessel of water. Are you the king, your majesty, or is the shadow the king?”

“I am the king, Venerable Nāgasena, this shadow is not the king. The shadow comes into existence dependent on me.”

“In the same way, your majesty, seven is the reckoning of rains. I am not the seven, but dependent on me seven comes into existence, similarly to your shadow, your majesty.”

“Wonderful, Venerable Nāgasena! Marvelous, Venerable Nāgasena! Your answers to the questions asked are very brilliant!”

Question on Counting Rains second