The Jatakas
Page 30
20. ‘Alas, our king, the lord of all directions of the earth, is not the one that was of old,
Today he pays no attention to dances nor does his mind turn to songs.
21. He does not even look at the deer in the garden nor the geese,
He remains silent and dumb and does not take charge of anything.’
They asked, it is said, the man who brought food and the attendant whether the king had talked to them or not. They replied that he had not. At this they said, ‘The king, through non-attachment to sense pleasures, with a mind immersed in seclusion, remembers the paccekabuddhas associated with his family. He says to himself, “Who will tell me the dwelling place of those beings who possess all excellences such as virtue, and who live possessing nothing? So he utters these three verses:
22. “Loving happiness, keeping hidden,
ceasing from punishments and imprisonments:
in whose wonderful garden today are they, young and old?
[46] 23. I pay homage to these wise men.
Firm, and having crossed over the thicket of desire,
they live without longings, in a world that is longing.
24. They have cut through the net of death and the tough knot of illusion;
They go, with desire cut through: O who will show me where they have gone?’
After he had been practising the life of an ascetic for four months in his palace he applied his mind intently on going forth. His home seemed like the Niraya hell between the worlds and the three worlds appeared as if on fire. 37 With his mind intent upon the prospect of going forth, he embarked upon a eulogy of Mithila, ‘When will the time come for me to be able to leave behind this Mithila, that is adorned and dressed up like the realm of Sakka, and go into the Himalayas in the dress of an ascetic?
25. O when shall I leave Mithila, that is so splendid, spacious and bright on all sides?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be? 38
26. O when shall I leave Mithila, so splendid and divided into such even parts?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
27. O when shall I leave Mithila, so splendid, with its great ramparts and gateways?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
28. O when shall I leave Mithila, so splendid, with its strong, polished storehouse?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
29. O when shall I leave Mithila, splendid, with its beautiful divisions and magnificent roads?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
30. O when shall I leave Mithila, with its well-arranged bazaars?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
31. When shall I leave Mithila, splendid with it throngs of horses, cows and chariots?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
32. When shall I leave Mithila, splendid with its garlanded groves and woods?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
33. When shall I leave Mithila, splendid with its garlanded parks and forests?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
34. When shall I leave Mithila, splendid with its garlanded palace orchards?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
35. When shall I leave Mithila, splendid with its three turrets, filled with kinsmen 39 of the king, established in glory by Somanassa the Videhan ?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be ?
36. When shall I leave the splendid throngs of the Videhans, the protectors of justice?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
37. When shall I leave the Videhans, splendid, invincible, protectors of justice?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
38. O when shall I leave the harem, so delightful and divided into such even parts?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
39. O when shall I leave the harem, so delightful, with lime-washed clay
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
40. O when shall I leave the women’s quarters, with its sweet smells that delight the mind?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
41. O when shall I leave the peaked roofs, so splendid and divided into such even parts?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
42. O when shall I leave the peaked roofs, with lime-washed clay?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
43. O when shall I leave the peaked roofs, with their sweet smells that please the mind?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
44. O when shall I leave the peaked roofs, smeared with sprinkled sandalwood?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
45. O when shall I leave the golden couches, covered with brightly coloured woollen rugs?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
46. O when shall I leave the cotton and silk, the fine linen and every kind of cloth?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
47. O when shall I leave the delightful lotus ponds, filled with the sound of ruddy geese,
and covered with water plants and lotuses of blue, red and white?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
48–9. O when shall I leave the troops of elephants, adorned in every way, decked with golden ribbons; the perfumed golden harnesses mounted with village chiefs with kusa grass spears in their hands?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
50–1. O when shall I leave the troops of horses, adorned in every way, the noble, thoroughbred sindhs with swift chariots, mounted with village chiefs who carry short swords and bows?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
52–3 [48]. When shall I leave the military chariots, decked, with banners flying, covered in tiger skin and adorned in every way, mounted with village chiefs clad in armour with bows in their hands?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
54–5. When shall I leave the gilded chariots, decked with banners flying, and chariots covered with panther and tiger skin, adorned in every way, mounted with village chiefs clad in armour with bows in their hands?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
56–69. When shall I leave . . . [same formula for] buffalo-led chariots, bull-led chariots, goat-led chariots, ram-led chariots and deer-led chariots.
70. when shall I leave the brave men on elephants, adorned in every way, clad in black armour, brave with kusa spears in their hands?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
71. O when shall I leave the brave men on horses, adorned in every way, clad in black armour, with short swords and bows in their hands?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
72. O when shall I leave the brave archers, adorned in every way, clad in black armour, carrying quivers and with bows in their hands?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
73. O when shall I leave the brave royal sons, adorned in every way, clad in many-coloured armour, wearing golden garlands?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
74. O when shall I leave the troop of Ariyans, wrapped in cloth, with li
mbs anointed with yellow sandalwood, dressed in fine Benares linen?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
75. O when shall I leave the seven hundred wives, adorned in every way?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
76. O when shall I leave the seven hundred wives with beautiful hips and tiny waists? 40
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
77. O when shall I leave the seven hundred wives, who are loyal and with loving speech?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
78. O when shall I leave the fine bronze dish and the pure gold plate?
When shall I take the going forth, O when is the time that shall be?
79–80. 41 O when will the troops of elephants, adorned in every way, decked with golden ribbons and the perfumed golden harnesses mounted with village chiefs with kusa grass spears in their hands, not follow me as I go?
O when is the time that will be ?
81–2. O when will the troops of horses, adorned in every way,
the noble, thoroughbred sindhs with swift chariots,
mounted with village chiefs who carry short swords
and bows, not follow me as I go?
O when is the time that will be?
83–4. O when will military chariots, decked with banners flying,
covered in tiger skin and adorned in every way,
mounted with village chiefs clad in armour with bows in their hands,
when will they not follow me as I go?
O when is the time that will be?
85–6. O when will the gilded chariots, decked with banners flying,
and chariots covered with panther skin and tiger skin,
adorned in every way, mounted with village
chiefs clad in armour with bows in their hands, not
follow me as I go?
O when is the time that will be?
87–100. O when will the . . . [same formula for] buffalo-led
chariots, bull-led chariots, goat-led chariots, ram-led
chariots and deer-led chariots
O when is the time that will be?
101. O when will the brave men on elephants, adorned in
every way, clad in black armour, brave, with kusa spears
in their hands, not follow me as I go?
O when is the time that will be?
102. when will the brave men on horses, adorned in every
way, clad in black armour, with short swords and bows in
their hands, not follow me as I go?
O when is the time that will be?
103. when will the brave archers, adorned in every way, clad
in black armour, carrying quivers and with bows in their
hands, not follow me as I go?
O when is the time that will be?
104. O when will the brave royal sons, adorned in every way,
clad in many-coloured armour, wearing golden garlands,
not follow me as I go?
O when is the time that will be?
105. O when will the troop of Ariyans, wrapped in cloth, with
limbs anointed with yellow sandalwood, dressed in fine
Benares linen, not follow me as I go?
O when is the time that will be?
106. O when will the seven hundred wives, adorned in every
way, not follow me as I go? O when is the time that will be?
107. O when will the seven hundred wives, with beautiful hips
and tiny waists, not follow me as I go?
O when is the time that will be?
108. O when will the seven hundred wives, who are loyal and
with loving speech, not follow me as I go?
O when is the time that will be?
109. O when shall I take the bowl, and with head shaved and
dressed in the robe wander in search of alms?
O when is the time that will be?
110. O when shall I wear the robe, made from discarded rags,
on the great road?
O when is the time that will be?
111. O when shall I wander, in seven days of storms, rained
upon and with robe wet, in search of alms?
O when is the time that will be?
112. O when shall I spend the whole day at a spot at the roots
of a tree, in the woody forest, free from longing?
O when is the time that will be?
113. O when shall I live in the mountain heights, with fear and
dismay abandoned, without a second person, free from longing?
O when is the time that will be?
114. O when shall I make my mind straight, like a lute player
[tuning] his lovely seven-stringed lute?
O when is the time that will be?
115. O when shall I, like a chariot maker 42 cutting the edges 43
for sandals, cut the bonds to the senses, both divine and human?’
[52] Now it is said the king was born at a time when the human lifespan was ten thousand years. He spent seven thousand years ruling the kingdom, and became a recluse when he still had three thousand years to live. For four months since the time when he had seen the mango trees at the gate of the park he had lived in his house, thinking, ‘It would be better to take the going forth and leave this house.’ So he secretly ordered an attendant to go to the market, without anyone else knowing, and bring him back some yellow-brown robes and an earthenware bowl; which he did. The king then ordered his barber to cut his hair and dismissed him. Then he dressed himself with one garment, covered himself with another and wrapped another one over his shoulder. He put the earthenware bowl in a bag and strung that over his shoulder too. Then, taking a walking stick, he walked on the roof of the palace several times backwards and forwards with the carriage of a paccekabuddha. That day he remained there, but on the next day at sunrise he began to go down from the palace. Queen Sivali sent for seven hundred of his concubines and said. ‘We have not seen the king for a long time—a good four months have passed. But today we will see him, so go and adorn yourselves and, using your female wiles and most charming behaviour, try hard to entangle him in the knots of passion.’ So she went up with them, all dressed up and adorned, determined to see the king. But although she did meet him as he was coming downstairs, she did not recognize him: instead she paid respects and stood to one side as what she thought was a paccekabuddha, who had come to give instruction to the king, passed by. And so the king came down from the palace.
When she had ascended to the top floor of the palace she saw the king’s hair, the colour of bees, and pieces of his regalia lying by the royal bed. ‘That was no paccekabuddha! It must have been our dear lord. Come, I’ll go and plead with him to come back.’ So she came down from the top of the palace and reached the royal courtyard. Then she and the other ladies released their hair so that it tumbled down their backs and beat their chests with their hands. They followed the king, wailing with great emotion, ‘O how can you do such a thing, great lord?’ The entire city was shaken and they followed the king weeping, ‘It is said that our king has gone forth! How will we ever find such a just ruler again?’
Then the Teacher, describing the wailing of the women and how the king left them and went on his way, said:
116. ‘Seven hundred wives, adorned in every way, stretched out their arms, crying, “O why are you going to forsake us?”
117. Seven hundred wives, with beautiful hips and tiny waists, stretched out their arms, crying, “O why are you going to forsake us?”
118. Seven hundred wives so loyal and with such loving speech, stretched out their arms, crying, “O why are you going to forsake us?”
119. Seven hundred wives, adorned in every way:
“The honoured king has left us and run away to take the going forth!”
120. Seven hundred wives, with beaut
iful hips and tiny waists:
“The honoured king has left and run away to take the going forth!”
121. Seven hundred wives so loyal and with such loving speech:
“The honoured king has left and run away to take the going forth!”
122. Leaving behind the fine bronze bowl and the pure gold plate, he has taken up the earthenware bowl, for his second anointment.’
The weeping Queen Sivali could not prevent the king from going, so she settled on a stratagem, sent for the general of the army and gave him some instructions. ‘Sir, start a fire in the old houses and buildings ahead, in the direction in front of the king. Fetch grasses and leaves to that spot and get some smoke going.’ He had this done. She then went to the king and, falling at his feet, informed him that Mithila was burning, and spoke two verses:
123. ‘There are terrible pyres, and the stores are burning bit by bit:
silver and gold, and many pearls and gems.
124. Crystals, mother of pearl, cloth, yellow sandal,
antelope skin, ivory goods, copper and much black iron.
Go king and turn back, and do not destroy this wealth of yours!’
And then the Great Being said, ‘Queen, what are you saying? Those who have something can have it burnt. But I have nothing.’ In explanation he recited this verse:
125.‘We live happily, those who have nothing.
Mithila might burn, but nothing has burnt of mine!’
[55] After he had said this the Great Being left by the northern gate and then his wives also left. Then Queen Sivali thought up a trick and gave instructions to them: ‘Make it appear as if villages have been destroyed and that the land is being wasted’. So they explained to the king how, all at the same time, armed men were living by plundering and were running around here and there. Some had sprinkled essence of lac on their bodies and were being laid down on boards, as if wounded, or dead. The people upbraided him with the words, ‘Great king, while you are taking care of your affairs they are ransacking the kingdom and killing the people!’ And then the queen paid her respects to the king and uttered this verse to persuade him to turn back:
126. ‘The wild men have risen up, they are laying waste to the kingdom,
Come, O king, and turn back: do not destroy this kingdom!’
The king thought to himself, ‘It just is not true that while I have been taking care of my business thieves have risen up and are devastating the kingdom. This must be Sivali’s doing.’ And he said this to make the matter clear: