🧚 Opening, part 6

Now the consort of Dīghīti king of Kosala approached the Brahman who was the house-priest of Brahmadatta king of Kāsi.1 The Brahman who was the house-priest of Brahmadatta king of Kāsi saw the consort of Dīghīti king of Kosala approaching even from afar.2 And seeing her, he rose from his seat, adjusted his upper robe so as to cover one shoulder only, and bending his joined hands in reverent salutation before the consort of Dīghīti king of Kosala, thrice breathed forth the utterance: “All hail!3 A king of Kosala shall be born of thee!4 All hail!5 A king of Kosala shall be born of thee!”6 Then he said: “Be not distressed, O queen.7 You shall obtain your desire to see at sunrise a fourfold army drawn up, clad in armor, standing in a pleasant place, and to drink the rinsings of swords.”8

Thereupon the Brahman who was the house-priest of Brahmadatta king of Kāsi approached Brahmadatta king of Kāsi.9 And having approached, he said this to Brahmadatta king of Kāsi: “Thus, O king, the signs appear: To-morrow at sunrise let the fourfold army be drawn up, clad in armor, standing in a pleasant place, and let the swords be washed.”10 Accordingly Brahmadatta king of Kāsi ordered his men: “Do as the Brahman who is my house-priest has said.”11 Thus the consort of Dīghīti king of Kosala obtained her desire to see at sunrise a fourfold army drawn up, clad in armor, standing in a pleasant place, and to drink the rinsings of swords.12 And when that unborn child had reached maturity, the consort of Dīghīti king of Kosala brought forth a son, and they called his name Dīghāvu.13 And in no very long time Prince Dīghāvu reached the age of reason.14

Now to Dīghīti king of Kosala occurred the following thought: “This Brahmadatta king of Kāsi has done us much injury.15 He has robbed us of army and vehicles and territory and treasuries and storehouses.16 If he recognizes us, he will cause all three of us to be put to death.17 Suppose I were to cause Prince Dīghāvu to dwell outside of the city!”18 Accordingly Dīghīti king of Kosala caused Prince Dīghāvu to dwell outside of the city.19 And Prince Dīghāvu, residing outside of the city, in no very long time acquired all the arts and crafts.20

Now at that time the barber of Dīghīti king of Kosala resided at the court of Brahmadatta king of Kāsi.21 The barber of Dīghīti king of Kosala saw Dīghīti king of Kosala residing with his consort in a certain place on the outskirts of Benāres, in a potter’s dwelling, in disguise, in the guise of a wandering ascetic.22 When he saw him, he approached Brahmadatta king of Kāsi.23 And having approached, he said this to Brahmadatta king of Kāsi: “O king, Dīghīti king of Kosala is residing with his consort in a certain place on the outskirts of Benāres, in a potter’s dwelling, in disguise, in the guise of a wandering ascetic.”24

Thereupon Brahmadatta king of Kāsi ordered his men: “Now then, bring Dīghīti king of Kosala with his consort before me.”25 “Yes, your majesty,” said those men to Brahmadatta king of Kāsi; and in obedience to his command brought Dīghīti king of Kosala with his consort before him.26 Then Brahmadatta king of Kāsi ordered his men: “Now then, take Dīghīti king of Kosala with his consort, bind their arms tight behind their backs with a stout rope, shave their heads, and to the loud beating of a drum lead them about from street to street, from crossing to crossing, conduct them out of the South gate, hack their bodies into four pieces south of the city, and throw the pieces in the four directions.”27

“Yes, your majesty,” said those men to Brahmadatta king of Kāsi; and in obedience to his command took Dīghīti king of Kosala with his consort, bound their arms tight behind their backs with a stout rope, shaved their heads, and to the loud beating of a drum led them about from street to street, from crossing to crossing.28

Now to Prince Dīghāvu occurred the following thought: “It is a long time since I have seen my mother and father.29 Suppose I were to see my mother and father!”30 Accordingly Prince Dīghāvu entered Benāres, and saw his mother and father, their arms bound tight behind their backs, their heads shaven, being led about, to the loud beating of a drum, from street to street, from crossing to crossing.31 When he saw this, he approached his mother and father.32

Dīghīti king of Kosala saw Prince Dīghāvu approaching even from afar.33 When he saw him, he said this to Prince Dīghāvu: “Dear Dīghāvu, do not look long!34 Do not look short!35 For, dear Dīghāvu, hatreds are not quenched by hatred.36 Nay rather, dear Dīghāvu, hatreds are quenched by love.”37

At these words those men said this to Dīghīti king of Kosala: “This Dīghīti king of Kosala is stark mad, and talks gibberish.38 Who is Dīghāvu to him?39 To whom did he speak thus: ‘Dear Dīghāvu, do not look long!40 Do not look short!41 For, dear Dīghāvu, hatreds are not quenched by hatred.42 Nay rather, dear Dīghāvu, hatreds are quenched by love’?”43 “I am not stark mad, I assure you, nor do I talk gibberish.44 However, he that is intelligent will understand clearly.”45 For the second and the third time Dīghīti king of Kosala spoke thus to Prince Dīghāvu, and those men spoke thus to Dīghīti king of Kosala.46

Then those men led Dīghīti king of Kosala with his consort about from street to street, from crossing to crossing, conducted them out of the South gate, hacked their bodies into four pieces south of the city, threw the pieces in the four directions, posted a guard of soldiers, and departed.47

Thereupon Prince Dīghāvu entered Benāres, procured liquor, and gave it to the soldiers to drink.48 When they were drunk and had fallen, he gathered sticks of wood, built a pyre, placed the bodies of his mother and father on the pyre, lighted it, and with joined hands upraised in reverent salutation thrice made sunwise circuit of the pyre.49

Now at that time Brahmadatta king of Kāsi was on an upper floor of his splendid palace.50 And Brahmadatta king of Kāsi saw Prince Dīghāvu, with joined hands upraised in reverent salutation, thrice making sunwise circuit of the pyre.51 When he saw this, the following thought occurred to him: “Without doubt that man is a kinsman or blood-relative of Dīghīti king of Kosala.52 Alas, my wretched misfortune, for no one will tell me the facts!”53

Now Prince Dīghāvu went to the forest, wailed and wept his fill, and wiped his tears away.54 Then he entered Benāres, went to the elephant-stable adjoining the royal palace, and said this to the elephant-trainer: “Trainer, I wish to learn your art.”55 “Very well, young man, learn it.”56 Accordingly Prince Dīghāvu rose at night, at time of dawn, and sang and played the lute with charming voice in the elephant-stable.57

Brahmadatta king of Kāsi heard him as he rose at night, at time of dawn, and sang and played the lute with charming voice in the elephant-stable.58 Hearing him, he asked his men: “Who was it, pray, that rose at night, at time of dawn, and sang and played the lute with charming voice in the elephant-stable?”59 “Your majesty, it was a young man, the pupil of such-and-such an elephant-trainer, who rose at night, at time of dawn, and sang and played the lute with charming voice in the elephant-stable.”60 “Very well, bring that young man to me.”61 “Yes, your majesty,” said those men to Brahmadatta king of Kāsi; and in obedience to his command brought Prince Dīghāvu to him.62