Once upon a time, a king named Bharu reigned in the kingdom of Bharu. There was a seaport town named Bharukaccha, or the Marsh of Bharu. At that time the Bodhisatta was born into the family of a master mariner there; amiable he was, and of complexion a golden brown. They gave him the name of Supparaka-kumara. He grew up with great distinction; and even when he was no more than sixteen years old, he had gained a complete mastery over the art of seamanship. Afterwards when his father died he became the head of the mariners and plied the mariner’s calling; wise he was, and full of intelligence; with him aboard, no ship came ever to harm.

In time it so happened that injured by the salt water both his eyes lost their sight. After which, head of the mariners thought he was unfit for the mariner’s trade; but he resolved to live in the king’s service, he approached the king. And the king appointed him to the office of valuer and assessor. From that time he assessed the worth of valuable elephants, valuable horses, choice pearls and gems.

One day an elephant was brought to the king, of the colour of a black rock, that he might be the state elephant. The king gave him a glance, and commanded that he be shown to the wise man. They led the creature before him. The man passed his hand over the elephant’s body, and said, “This elephant is not fit to be the elephant of state. This had the qualities of an elephant that is deformed behind. When his dam brought him forth, she could not take him on her shoulder; so she let him fall on the ground, and thus he became deformed in his hind feet.” They questioned those who had brought the elephant; and they replied that the wise man spoke the truth. When the king heard of this, he was pleased, and ordered eight pieces of money to be given him.

On another day, a horse was brought for the king’s horse of state. This too was sent to the wise man. He felt it all over with his hand, and then said, “This is not fit to be the king’s state charger. On the day this horse was born, his dam died, and so for lack of the mare’s milk he did not grow properly.” This saying of his was true also. When the king heard of it, he was pleased, and caused him to be presented with eight pieces more.

Another day, a chariot was brought, to be the king’s state chariot. This too the king sent to him. He felt it over with his hand and said, “This chariot was made out of a hollow tree, and therefore it is not fit for the king.” This saying of his was true like the others. The king was pleased again when he heard of it, and gave him other eight pieces.

Then again they brought him a precious rug of great price, which the king sent to the man as before. He felt it all over, and said, “There is one place here where a rat has bitten a hole.” They examined and found the place, and then told the king. Pleased was the king, and ordered eight pieces to be given him again.

Now the man thought, “Only eight pieces of money, with such marvels as these to see! This is a barber’s gift; the king must be a barber’s brat. Why should I serve such a king? I will return to my own home.” So back he went to the seaport of Bharukaccha, and there he lived.

It happened that some merchants had got ready a ship, and were casting about for a skipper. “That clever Supparaka,” thought they, “is a wise and skilful man; with him aboard no ship comes to harm. Blind though he be, the wise Supparaka is the best.” So to him they repaired, and asked him to be their skipper. “Blind am I, friends,” he replied, “and how can I sail your ship?” “Blind you may be, master,” said the merchants, “but you are the best.” As they pressed him unceasingly, he at length consented: “As you put it to me,” says he, “I will be your skipper.” Then he went aboard their vessel.

They sailed in their ship upon the high seas. For seven days the ship sailed without mishap; then an unseasonable wind arose. Four months the vessel was tossed about on a primeval ocean, until she arrived at what is called the Khuramala Sea. Here fish with bodies like men, and sharp razor-like snouts, dive in and out of the water. The merchants observing these asked the Great Being what that sea was named.

The Great Being, at this question, conning over in mind his mariner’s lore, answered:

“Merchants come from Bharukaccha, seeking riches to purvey,

This is Khuramali ocean where your ship has gone astray.”

Now it happens that in this ocean diamonds are to be found. The Great Being reflected, that if he told them this was a diamond sea, they would sink the ship in their greed by collecting the diamonds. So he told them nothing; but having brought the ship to, he got a rope, and lowered a net as if to catch fish. With this he brought in a haul of diamonds, and stored them in the ship; then he caused the wares of little value to be cast overboard.

The ship past over this sea, and came to another called Aggimala. This sea sent forth a radiance like a blazing bonfire, like the sun at midday. The merchants questioned him what is the name of the port.

The Great Being replied, “This is Aggimali ocean.”

Now in this sea was abundance of gold. In the same manner as before, he got a haul of gold from it, and laid it aboard. Passing over this sea, the ship next came to an ocean called Dadhimala, gleaming like milk or curds. The merchants enquired its name.

The Great Being answered, “This is Dadhimali ocean.”

In this sea there was abundance of silver. He procured it in the same way as before, and laid it aboard. Over this sea the ship sailed, and came to an ocean called Nilavannakusamala, which had the appearance of a stretch of dark kusa-grass, or a field of corn. The merchants enquired its name.

He replied, “This is Kusamali ocean.”

Now in this ocean was a great quantity of precious emeralds. As before, he made a haul of them, and stored them on board. Passing over this sea, the ship came to a sea called Nalamala, which had the aspect of an expanse of reeds or a grove of bamboos. The merchants asked its name.

The Great Being replied, “This is Nalamali ocean.”

Now this ocean was full of coral of the colour of bamboos. He made a haul of this also and got it aboard.

After passing the Nalamali Sea, the merchants came to a sea named Valabhamukha. Here the water is sucked away and rises on every side; and the water thus sucked away on all sides rises in sheer precipices leaving what looks like a great pit. A wave rises on one side like a wall; a terrific roar is heard, which seems as it would burst the ear and break the heart. On sight of this the merchants were terrified, and asked its name.

The Bodhisatta replied, “This Valabhamukhi ocean.”

He went on, “Friend, once a ship has got in to the valabhamukha Sea there is no returning. If this ship gets there, she will sink and go to destruction.” Now there were seven hundred souls aboard this ship, and they were in fear of death; with one voice they uttered a very bitter cry. The Great Being thought, “Except me, no other can save those; I will save them by an Act of Truth.” Then he said aloud, “Friends, bathe me speedily in scented water, and put new garments upon me, prepare a full bowl, and set me in front of the ship.” They quickly did so. The Great Being took the full bowl in both hands, and standing in the front of the ship, performed an Act of Truth, and said:

“Since I can myself remember, since intelligence first grew,

Not one life of living creature have I taken, that I knew:

May this ship return to safety if my solemn words are true!”

Four months the vessel had been voyaging in far distant regions; and now as though endued with supernatural power, it returned in one single day to the seaport town of Bharukaccha, and even upon the dry land it went, till it rested before the mariner’s door, having sprung over a space of eleven hundred cubits. The Great Being divided amongst the merchants all the gold and silver, jewels, coral, and diamonds, saying, “This treasure is enough for you; voyage on the sea no more.” Then he discoursed to them; and after giving gifts and doing good his life long, he went to swell the hosts of heaven.