Part 3 - The two Mallikās differentiated

There were (at the time of the Buddha) two Mallikās in Sāvatthi, one was Mallikā, wife of Bandula, the Commander-in-Chief, the other was Mallikā, Queen of the Kosala King. The former was a Mallan princess of Kusinārā about whom we have mentioned earlier. We shall now describe Queen Mallikā in a brief way.

This future queen was daughter of a flower seller in the city of Sāvatthi. She was a maiden of great beauty, with a large store of great past merits. One day, when she was sixteen, she went flower-gathering in the company of other girls, carrying three lumps of barley cakes in a flower basket.

As the group of girls were leaving the city, they met the Buddha, surrounded by a wondrous aura of six hues, in the company of many bhikkhus, who was entering the city. Mallikā was deeply moved by the glory of the Buddha and in a super state of devotional faith she offered her three lumps of barley cakes to the Buddha. The Buddha accepted the alms in the alms-bowl, which was donated by the four Great Guardians of the Four Quarters.

Mallikā paid her obeisance at the feet of the Buddha, with her mind filled with delightful satisfaction (pīti), derived from reflection on the attributes of the Buddha and stood at a suitable place. The Buddha looked at her and gave a smile. The Venerable Ānanda asked the Buddha about the reason for the smile. “Ānanda,” said the Buddha, “on account of her offering of these three lumps of barley cakes with the volition of the first impulsion this young girl will become Chief Queen of the Kosala King this very day.”

Mailikā was overjoyed to hear the words of the Buddha and went to the park with her companions. It was the day when the King of Kosala fought a battle with his nephew Ajātasattu and was defeated. He escaped on horseback and on hearing the singing of Mallikā, he turned towards the park, being attracted by the girls voice. Where as all the other girls fled with fear at the sight of the King, Mallikā, who was destined to become Queen felt no fear. Instead, she came forward and took the reins of the King’s charger in her hand.

Still sitting on horseback, he inquired the girl whether she was married or not. On learning that she was unmarried, he dismounted and as he was tired from the heat of the sun and the wind, he took a rest in the bosom of Mallikā. After having rested, he took the girl on horseback and entered the city accompanied by his army. He had the girl escorted to her parents’ home. That evening, he sent (to Mallikā’s house) the royal carriage reserved for the use of Chief Queen, in which she was brought to the palace with pomp and ceremony. Then placing her on a ceremonial seat wrought with precious gems, she was anointed Chief Queen. From that day, Mallikā became the beloved Chief Queen. (These details are based on the Commentary on the Jātaka, Volume Three, Sattaka Nipāta; 10- Kumnāsapiṇḍi Jātaka).

Thus the two Mallikās should be known: Mallikā the Kosala Queen was the daughter of a flower-seller: Mallikā, wife of Bandula, Commander-in-Chief, was the daughter of one of the Malla princes.