From:
MilindapaƱha Milinda's Questions
NibbÄnavagga NibbÄna Chapter
7. PathavisandhÄrakapaƱha Question on the Bearing Up of the Earth
RÄjÄ ÄhaāThe king said:
ābhante nÄgasena, tumhe bhaį¹athaāāVenerable NÄgasena, you say
āayaį¹ mahÄ pathavÄ« udake patiį¹į¹hitÄ, udakaį¹ vÄte patiį¹į¹hitaį¹, vÄto ÄkÄse patiį¹į¹hitoāti, etampi vacanaį¹ na saddahÄmÄ«āti. this great earth is established on water, water is established on air, and air is established on space. I do not believe this assertion.ā
Thero dhammakarakena udakaį¹ gahetvÄ rÄjÄnaį¹ milindaį¹ saƱƱÄpesiāThe elder took some water in a water vessel and explained to King Milinda,
āyathÄ, mahÄrÄja, imaį¹ udakaį¹ vÄtena ÄdhÄritaį¹, evaį¹ tampi udakaį¹ vÄtena ÄdhÄritanāti. āJust as, your majesty, this water is supported by the air, so too is that water supported by air.ā
āKallosi, bhante nÄgasenÄāti. āYou are clever, venerable NÄgasena.ā
PathavisandhÄrakapaƱho sattamo. Question on the Bearing Up of the Earth seventh