Part 4 - The Story of Dighavu

Once, there was a King of Benares by the name of King Kasi, who had great amount of wealth, a big army war chariots, elephants, horses, infantry, a vast expansion of land, a big treasury, and fully stocked granaries. The King of Kosala, by the name of Dighiti, was poor having only a small amount of wealth, a small army, limited number of war chariots, elephants, horses and infantry, a small treasury and granaries. Bhikkhus.... King Brahmadatta alias Kasi King prepared for war against King Dighiti, and marched towards Kosala with a great army comprising war chariots, elephants, horses, infantry.

The Weak succumbed to The Strong

On hearing the alarming news, King Dighiti of Kosala weighed in his mind: “King Brahmadatta of Kasi is rich, he owns enormous amount of wealth, has a great army, comprising war chariots, elephants, horses, infantry, a big treasury, a vast expansion of land and granaries, whereas, I am comparatively poor, having a small amount of wealth, a small army and I am sure to be defeated by the first attack launched by that King. As such, it would be wiser to evacuate than to get defeated.” Therefore, taking his queen, he fled from his city long before the enemy reached it.

Bhikkhus... King Brahmadatta took possession of King Dighiti troops, chariots, territory, treasuries and granaries, and reigned over his newly conquered land. Dighiti, the ex-King and his queen arrived at Benares in due course, and took refuge at a potter’s house, on the fringe of the City, in the guise of wandering ascetics.

The Queen conceived A Child

Bhikkhus... after some time, the Queen of King Dighiti became pregnant and developed a strong desire for certain particular thing, such as to see at sunrise a fourfold army, fully arrayed, fully equipped standing on level ground and to drink the water used in washings of swords.

The Queen made it known to her husband, King Dighiti of Kosala, that she had conceived a child and that she had a strong desire to see fully equipped army at sun-rise, and to drink water used in washing sword. Whereupon, the King of Kosala said: “Dear Queen... how will it be possible for us to see a fully equipped army and to get water used for washing swords, when we are in a humble condition!” The Queen replied: “Your Majesty, I will die if my wishes are not fulfilled.”

A Far-Sighted Philosopher and Friend.

At that time, King Dighiti’s boyhood friend was the Brahmin priest of Brahmadatta, King of Kasi. Bhikkhus,... Dighiti, King of Kosala went to see his boyhood friend, the brahmin priest and told him: “My dear friend... your friend, my Queen is in a family way, and she has a strong desire to see a fully equipped army standing in a vast and level plain, and to drink water used in washing swords.” Whereupon, the Brahmin said: “Your Majesty... in that case, I should like to see the Queen.”

Bhikkhus,.... the Queen went to see the Brahmin priest. When the Brahmin noticed the Queen coming from a distance, he got up and arranging his upper garment over one shoulder and with his hands clasped announced joyously: ‘Indeed, a King of Kosala is in your womb,’ for three times in succession. And he assured the Queen: ‘Be happy, good Queen, you will get a chance at sun rise to see the fully equipped fourfold army arrayed on a level ground and drink the washings of the swords.’

Bhikkhus,.... the Brahmin priest went to King Brahmadatta of Kasi and addressed: ‘Your Majesty... the signs which I can see are such that a fully equipped army must appear on a vast plain at sun-rise and the royal swords are to be washed then.’ The King ordered his courtiers to carry out the instructions given by the Brahmin priest.

The Queen of King Dighiti had her strong desires fulfilled (as arranged by the Brahmin); she had seen a fully equipped army standing on a vast plain and drunk the water used in washing the swords. Bhikkhus, she gave birth to a baby son in due time and was named Dighavu.

Bhikkhus,.... when prince Dighavu had grown to an age of discretion, it occurred to King Dighiti: ‘The King Brahmadatta of Kasi had hitherto done much harm to us; he had seized our army, war chariots, elephants, horses, and territories including small villages; deprived us of our treasuries and granaries. He would do away with three of us once he found out our whereabouts; it would be safe for our son, Dighavu, to stay outside the city. He accordingly arranged for Dighavu to stay aloof from them at a place outside the boundaries of the city. Bhikkhus,... Prince Dighavu learnt various arts and science of the time during the period of his self-exiled life.

A Disloyal Court Barber

Bhikkhus,.... a barber of King Dighiti of Kosala had free access to the palace of the King of Kasi. Bhikkhus,.... when the barber saw the King and Queen of Kosala taking refuge in an old hut of the potter under the guise of ascetics on the outskirts of the city, he went to King Brahmadatta of Kasi and reported: “Your Majesty.... King Dighiti and his Queen have been taking refuge in a hut of a potter under the guise of ascetics on the outskirts of the city.” Bhikkhus,... King Brahmadatta ordered his attendants to bring the King and Queen of Kosala to him. The attendants did as they were bid.

Bhikkhus,.... King Brahamadatta of Kasi gave orders to his servants: “Courtiers....fasten the hands of King Dighiti and his Queen at their backs tightly, shave their heads bald with razor, beat a drum that produces harsh and broken sound, take them from street to street, from cross road to cross road, beating them all along the way, and finally get them out of the city by the southern gate to be cut up into four pieces. Their remains must be discarded to the four quarters. The executioners did as they were ordered by the King.

King Kosala’s Doctrine of Peace

At that time, Prince Dighavu had a longing to see his parents. He thought to himself: ‘It is quite a long time that I have not seen my parents, I had better go and see them now.’ He, therefore, entered the town and came face to face with his ill-fated parents, with hands fastened tight at their backs, their heads shaved bald, being (beaten up) paraded from street to street, from cross road to cross road to the unbearable sounds of a drum. He was greatly shocked and choked with a deep sense of sorrow, but he managed to go near his parents with strained emotions.

Bhikkhus,.... when King Dighiti saw his son, Dighavu coming from a distance, he uttered words of advice meant for his son:

‘My dear son.... Dighavu.... do not look far and do not look close either;

My dear son, Dighavu.... revenge does not promote peace;

My dear son, Dighavu.... Only non-resentment gives peace.’

When King Dighiti uttered such words of advice, the courtiers misunderstood him and said:

‘This King Dighiti of Kosala had lost his head; where is his son, Dighavu? Whom is he addressing as ‘My son, Dighavu.... do not look far, and do not look close, either. My dear son, Dighavu, revenge does not promote peace; My dear son, Dighavu,.... only non resentment gives peace.’”

When King Dighiti heard of their remarks, he retorted: ‘My dear men... I am not voicing through loss of head, in fact, wise men will understand the meaning of what I meant.’ King Dighiti uttered the same words of advice for three times and the executioners made the same comments for three times. King Dighiti gave the same explanation to them, to show that he was mentally sound and that it was meant for wise men who would understand, meaning his son.

Bhikkhus,.... the executioners went on punishing the royal couple all along the route and finally took them out of the city via the south gate, as instructed by their King. King Dighiti and his Queen were cut into fours and their severed limbs discarded to the four quarters. The executioners went back into the city after posting guards at the place of execution

Prince Dighavu’s Clever Arrangement

Bhikkhus,.... Dighavu went into the city and came out with some liquor for presentation to the guards, who soon got drunk and fell into deep slumber. Dighavu collected a pile of fire-wood and placed the remains of his royal parents on top of the pile and cremated them in a traditional way. Raising his clasped hands in a respectful manner he made three right-hand rounds about the pile of bon-fire.

King Brahmadatta was greatly shaken

At that time, King Brahmadatta was in the upper chamber of his palace. He caught sight of Dighavu, through the window, in the act of circumambulating the funeral pyre three times with his palms joined and raised toward it. It at once occurred to him: ‘That man must be one of the nearest relatives or kinsmen of Dighiti, and the one who would certainly do something against one.’ He was greatly annoyed that no one was thoughtful enough to bring such a case to his notice.

Prince Dighavu served as An Elephant Keeper

Bhikkhus,.... Prince Dighavu went into the jungle and mourned over the loss of his royal parents, weeping to his heart’s content for a while and re-entered the city. He went to the elephant stable near the palace and requested the royal elephant master to employ him as a trainee. His request was readily granted.

Bhikkhus.... Prince Dighavu used to get up early and sing sweet songs and play harp harmoniously at the elephant shed every morning. On hearing the singing and playing of the harp, King Brahamadatta asked his couriers as to who was the singer and player of the hasp early in the morning every day. The courtiers gave the King full description of the singer and player of the harp.

The King then ordered his men to bring the singing lad who played the harp so well.

Prince Dighavu was appointed as An Inmate of The Palace.

When the couriers brought Dighavu before the King, he was asked:

‘Youthful lad.... is that you who sing sweet songs and play the harp so well at the elephant stable early in the mornings every day?’ The Prince gave his answer in the affirmative. Then the King ordered him to sing and to play his harp in his presence.

Bhikkhus,.... Prince Dighavu sang songs sweetly in harmony with the tuning of the harp, in compliance with the royal orders. The King was greatly delighted with his performance and ordered the boy to serve him as one of the attendants. The Prince undertook to serve as an attendant to the King. In due course, he was upgraded to a confidential position of trust in consideration of the five qualities that he possessed (1) getting up earlier than the King, (2) going to bed after the King, (3) always being alert and willing to serve, (4) doing all that would please the King, (5) habit of speaking well and affectionately.

Prince Dighavu honoured His Father’s Words

Bhikkhus,.... one day, King Brahmadatta of Kasi ordered Prince Dighavu to harness the royal chariot: ‘Dear lad.... harness the chariot, we will go into the forest of deers.’ The Prince replied: ‘Very well.. your Majesty,’ and when everything was set, he reported the matter to the King: ‘Your Majesty... the chariot is ready, and it is up to your Majesty to decide when to leave.’ The King started off for big game in the forest followed by a company of his army.

Prince Dighavu drove away the royal chariot at such a great speed that it eventually got cut off from the royal followers. When they had gone far enough, King Brahmadatta ordered Prince Dighavu: ‘Youthful lad.... we have been cut off from the party, I am tired and you might unharness the chariot, so that I might take some rest.’ The Prince unharnessed the royal chariot and sat cross-legged on the ground. The King lay down to relax with his head rested on the lap of the young lad. He soon fell into a slumber through tiredness.

Bhikkhus,.... when the King was in sound sleep, Prince Dighavu’s mind began to work:

‘This King Brahmadatta of Kasi country had done much harm to us. He had forcibly seized our army, elephants, horses, chariots, territories, treasuries and granaries. It was he who had assassinated my parents; the opportunity to revenge on him has presented itself now.”

He drew his sword out, bhikkhus,.... but his father’s words of advice crossed is mind:

‘My dear son, Dighavu.... do not look far, and do not look close, either. My dear son, Dighavu.... revenge does not promote peace. My dear son, Dighavu.... only non-resentment gives peace.’

‘It would not be right for me to go against my father’s advice,’ and he replaced the sword into its sheath.

For a second time, for a third time, Prince Dighavu drew his sword out to wreak vengeance on the old enemy and for the second and third time he replaced his sword into its sheath, remembering the advice given by his royal father.

Then Brahmadatta, the King of Kasi, frightened and agitated, alarmed, unsteadily got up all of a sudden from his sleep. Whereupon, Prince Dighavu asked him: ‘Your Majesty.... what has caused you to get frightened, agitated and alarmed?’ The King replied: ‘Youthful lad.... I dreamt in my sleep that I was running away for life through fright from the son of King of Kosala who was chasing me with a sword.’

Bhikkhus,.... then Prince Dighavu held the head of King Brahmadatta with his left hand and drew out the sword with his right hand and said: ‘Your Majesty.... the son of the late King of Kosala is no other person than myself. You had done much harm to us, you have forcibly seized our army, elephants, horse, chariots, territories, treasuries and granaries. It was you who have assassinated my royal parents. Now, it is my turn to revenge on you!’

Whereupon, King Brahmadatta touched Prince Dighavu’s feet with his head and entreated him for mercy by granting him life: ‘Dear son, Dighavu.... please grant me life.’ He thus entreated for mercy three times in succession. Then the Prince replied: ‘How will it be possible for me to grant life to a king! It is a king who should grant me life.’ ‘Well then, dear Dighavu, you grant me life and I will grant you life.’

Bhikkhus,.... Brahmadatta, the King of Kasi and Prince Dighavu granted life to one another, and they took hold of one another’s hands. They vowed to do no harm to one another. Then the King asked Dighavu: ‘My dear son.. please get the royal chariot harnessed and let us return.’ The Prince said: ‘Very well... your Majesty.’ When everything was set, he reported that everything was ready and it was up to his Majesty to leave as and when he so wished.

The King returned

Bhikkhus,....once the King had mounted the chariot, Prince Dighavu drove the chariot with accelerated speed and they caught up with the army in no time. King Brahmadatta of Kasi, accompanied by his troops, then returned to the city. On arrival at the royal palace, the King had the councillors and ministers assembled and addressed them: ‘Good Sirs,....what would you do if Dighavu, the son of King Dighati, could be found now?’

Then some said: ‘We would cut his hands off.’ Others said: ‘We would cut off his feet,’ again others said: ‘We would cut off his hands and feet,.... ears.... nose.... ears and nose; we would cut off his head.’

The King pointing his finger, said: ‘This is Prince Dighavu, son of the late King Dighiti of Kosala. Nothing could be done against him now. Just as he has granted me life, so also have I granted him life.’

Thus proclaimed King Brahmadatta of Kasi.

Prince Dighavu’s Doctrine of Peace

King Brahamadatta of Kasi than asked prince Dighava:

‘My dear son....your father is believed to have left four sets of words:

My dear son....Do not look far and do not look close, either!

Revenge does not promote peace; only non-resentment gives peace.

My dear son, Dighavu... what did your father mean?’

Prince Dighavu gave the following reply in response to the King’s query:

(1) Your Majesty....my father had advised me ‘Not to look far.’ This should be understood to mean ‘One should not be at enmity with other people for any length of time.’

(2) Your Majesty....my father had advised me ‘Not to look close, either.’ This should be understood to mean ‘Not to shorten the term of friendship, but to strengthen and prolong ties of friendship.’

(3 & 4) Your Majesty... my father had, advised me: ‘My dear son.... enmity could not be brought to an end by any act of revenge.’ You can only do away with enmity by avoidance of revenge.

Your Majesty, in case I assassinated you for killing my parents, your well-wishers would undoubtedly try to kill me. That would not end the chain of events for my well-wishers would turn against your well-wishers, and the endless chain of events would go on for ever and for ever!

Now that your Majesty had granted me life and I have done likewise, the question of enmity or revenge would no more arise and so my good old father had said: ‘My son.... revenge does not pay: Harbour no resentment and be happy’ with that end in view!

Thus Prince Dighavu interpreted the meaning of his father’s advice on end of strife. To this objective, the wise men of the olden days had also left the following lines for our guidance:—

(1) Don't prolong the cause of enmity.

(2) Don't shorten the term of friendship.

(3) Friendliness eliminates enmity.

(4) Resentment begets revenge!

Prince Dighavu regained His Father’’s Kingdom

Bhikkhus,.... when Prince Dighavu had explained the underlying meaning of his father’s advice, King Brahmadatta of Kasi said: ‘My dear men.... it is indeed wonderful, such a marvellous thing had never occurred before. This Prince Dighavu is so wise that he could explain to us in extensor, what his father had uttered in abridged form!’ Thus King of Kasi spoke highly of Prince Dighavu and formally returned the possessions of his father (late King Dighiti of Kosala), comprising army, elephants, horses, chariots, territories, treasuries and granaries, and above all, he gave his daughter, who had come of age, to Prince Dighavu.”

Buddha’s Exhortation

“Bhikkhus.... it will be seen that, even those kings in arms could come to friendly terms through forbearance and kindly disposition! Bhikkhus.... when those of you who have become members of the Order within the domains of My instructions that are good in the beginning, good in the middle and good at the end, cannot forgive and act in friendly way, how can you expect to uphold the dignity and maintain the nobility and purity of My Teaching!” Then the Buddha repeated, for the third time, the exhortation He had given before: “Bhikkhus, it is not at all right and proper for you to be quarrelling, fighting and opposing one another. Enough! no disputes, no quarrelling, no contentions.” At this last exhortation also, the bhikkhu who belonged to the suspended group addressed the Buddha as before: “Most Exalted Buddha.... Let the Lord of the Law wait, let the Bhagava remain unconcerned, intent on abiding in peace for the present. We will be responsible for these disputes, quarrels and strife.” The Buddha then considered: “These useless people (without hope of achieving the Path and Fruition) are really incorrigible. It’s not easy to bring them to senses,” and departed from that place.

End of the story of Dighavu.

(This story has been compiled from Vinaya Mahāva Pāli Text. Kosambī Kakkhandhaka. For further particulars, please refer to Pancaka Nipatta, Dighiti Kosala Jātaka and Kosambīha Jātaka.)