, to whom were first made known the stupendous
feats which stamped his character with marks of the divinity. He was
recognized as the promised _Saviour_ by Nanda, a shepherd, or cowherd,
and his companions, who prostrated themselves before the heaven-born
child. After the birth of Crishna, the Indian prophet Nared, having
heard of his fame, visited his father and mother at Gokool, examined the
stars, &c., and declared him to be of celestial descent.[151:1]

Not only was Crishna adored by the shepherds and Magi, and received with
_divine honors_, but he was _also presented with gifts_. These gifts
were "sandal wood and perfumes."[151:2] (Why not "frankincense and
myrrh?")

Similar stories are related of the infant _Buddha_. He was visited, at
the time of his birth, by _wise men_, who at once recognized in the
marvellous infant all the characters of the divinity, and he had
scarcely seen the day before he was hailed god of gods.[151:3]

"'Mongst the strangers came
A grey-haired saint, Asita, one whose ears,
Long closed to earthly things, caught heavenly sounds,
And heard at prayer beneath his peepul-tree,
The Devas singing songs at Buddha's birth."

Viscount Amberly, speaking of him, says:[151:4]

"He was visited and adored by a very eminent _Rishi_, or
hermit, known as _Asita_, who predicted his future greatness,
but wept at the thought that he himself was too old to see the
day when the law of salvation would be taught by the infant
whom he had come to contemplate."

"I weep (said Asita), because I am old and stricken in years,
and shall not see all that is about to come to pass. The
Buddha Bhagavat (God Almighty Buddha) comes to the world only
after many kalpas. This bright boy will be Buddha. _For the
salvation of the world_ he will teach the law. He will succor
the old, the sick, the afflicted, the dying. He will release
those who are bound in the meshes of _natural corruption_. He
will quicken the spiritual vision of those whose eyes are
darkened by the thick darkness of ignorance. Hundreds of
thousands of millions of beings will be carried by him to the
'other shore'--will put on immortality. And I shall not see
this perfect Buddha--this is why I weep."[151:5]

He returns rejoicing, however, to his mountain-home, for his eyes had
seen the promised and expected Saviour.[151:6]

Pain