Commentary on the stanza on pāricchattaka

120. What is the origin of the stanza, starting with ohārayitvā? It is said that in Benares there was another king also, Cātumāsika Brahmadatta, by name. That king used to go to sport himself in his royal garden every four months. Entering his garden, one day, in the middle month of the hot season, the king saw at the garden gate a Coral tree (pāricchattaka koviḷāra), with its full foliage of leaves and flower-blooming boughs and branches, took a flower and proceeded into his garden. thereafter, saying to himself: “The first flower had been taken by the king” a certain minister also plucking. Those who were not satisfied with flowers, took the leaves also. That tree became shorn of flowers and leaves, with its bare body of trunk. Leaving his royal garden in the evening, the king saw that leafless bare tree and thought thus: “What had been done to this tree? At the time of my coming in, this tree was adorned with flowers resembling coral gems, amidst jade-gem coloured leafy branches; at present, now, it has become flowerless”. Not far from that very stumpy tree, the king saw a non-flowering tree completely covered over with leaves. Having seen so, this thought occurred to the king: “This tree became the victim of many people's greed due to its flower-bearing branches. On that account it reaches ruin in a short moment. this other tree, however, on account of not causing greed, has stood even as it was. This sovereignty also is desirable similar to the flowering tree. On the other hand, monkhood does not provoke greed like unto a flowerless tree. therefore, as long as this (blooming tree) also is not plundered like this flowerless tree, so long, this coral tree should be such that has gained its foliage; similarly, I should become a recluse having been covered with yellow garment”. The king, then, abdicated his sovereignty, became a recluse, developed spiritual insight, visualised silent buddhahood, and recited this stanza of joyous utterance.

120.1. the meaning of this foot of the stanza, there, namely: Kāsāyavaṭṭho abhinikkhamitvā connotes having gone out of the house, and become dressed in yellow garments; thus, the meaning should be understood in this way. the rest is as aforesaid even; it is possible to understand; it need not be told in extenso.

The Commentary on the stanza, starting with pāricchattaka, has ended.