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7. Pathavisandhārakapañha

Question on the Bearing Up of the Earth

Rājā āha—
The king said:

“bhante nāgasena, tumhe bhaṇatha—
“Venerable Nāgasena, you say

‘ayaṁ mahā pathavī udake patiṭṭhitā, udakaṁ vāte patiṭṭhitaṁ, vāto ākāse patiṭṭhito’ti, etampi vacanaṁ na saddahāmī”ti.
this great earth is established on water, water is established on air, and air is established on space. I do not believe this assertion.”

Thero dhammakarakena udakaṁ gahetvā rājānaṁ milindaṁ saññāpesi—
The elder took some water in a water vessel and explained to King Milinda,

“yathā, mahārāja, imaṁ udakaṁ vātena ādhāritaṁ, evaṁ tampi udakaṁ vātena ādhāritan”ti.
“Just as, your majesty, this water is supported by the air, so too is that water supported by air.”

“Kallosi, bhante nāgasenā”ti.
“You are clever, venerable Nāgasena.”

Pathavisandhārakapañho sattamo.
Question on the Bearing Up of the Earth seventh