7. Question on the Bearing Up of the Earth 7. Pathavisandhārakapañha

The king said: Rājā āha—“Venerable Nāgasena, you say “bhante nāgasena, tumhe bhaṇatha—this great earth is established on water, water is established on air, and air is established on space. I do not believe this assertion.” ‘ayaṁ mahā pathavī udake patiṭṭhitā, udakaṁ vāte patiṭṭhitaṁ, vāto ākāse patiṭṭhito’ti, etampi vacanaṁ na saddahāmī”ti. The elder took some water in a water vessel and explained to King Milinda, Thero dhammakarakena udakaṁ gahetvā rājānaṁ milindaṁ saññāpesi—“Just as, your majesty, this water is supported by the air, so too is that water supported by air.” “yathā, mahārāja, imaṁ udakaṁ vātena ādhāritaṁ, evaṁ tampi udakaṁ vātena ādhāritan”ti.

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

Question on the Bearing Up of the Earth seventh