In one past life, Buddha was br A young boy of Himalayas. br He was seeking the truth br And the life’s real worth. br br He did austere penance. br Lord Indra, knowing this, br Disguised as a Demon came br To his place, to test him. br br The Demon whispered like this: br br “All is changeable and nothing is constant br This is the law of birth and death.” br br The boy searched br And finally traced br It, behind a rock, hiding br And softly whispering. br br He asked the Demon br “You spoke only two lines br Without the next two lines? br I wish to hear those lines.” br br It showed no interest br And went on with its test, br “When my hunger is killing me, br Those lines, you’re asking me.” br br He told, “You’re free br Anytime to swallow me, br But only after telling br The two lines remaining.” br br Now you come here, br To satisfy my hunger. br I’ll tell those two lines, br The Demon said like this: br br “Extinguishing the cycle of birth and death, br One experiences the joy of Nirvana.” br br The boy then requested, br “What you’ve said, br Let me etch on stones br And tree trunks.” br br “This should be known, br In future, to everyone. br You can eat me thereafter. br And satisfy your hunger.” br br The Demon waited. br The boy then etched br The message in stones br And tree trunks. br br In its mouth wide open br The boy jumped down. br Instead of eating the boy br Demon said with joy: br br “I’m Lord Indra, in fact br I came here to test br Your will and determination. br In this test, you’ve won.