ལས་བརྒྱ་ཐམ་པ་པ 18.2

18.2

Time passed, and one day while they were camped there King Brahmadatta’s queen conceived. After nine or ten months had passed, she gave birth to a child who was well proportioned, pleasing to the eye, and beautiful, and as soon as she was born, celebratory music resounded from the palace.

King Prasenajit heard that a daughter had been born to King Brahmadatta who was well proportioned, pleasing to the eye, and beautiful. As soon as he heard this, his spirits lifted, and he thought, “I’ve found a way to become King Brahmadatta’s kin. Because of this little child there will be no more resentment between us.”

King Prasenajit sent an envoy to King Brahmadatta with the following message: “Let there be no more resentment, my friend. Because of your daughter there will be no more resentment. Hand your daughter to me in marriage.”

As soon as King Brahmadatta heard this, his spirits lifted too and he thought, “Over time he and I have both slaughtered many people. But because of my daughter there will be no more resentment between us.”¹²⁷ He sent an envoy with his response: “As you wish.”

The two kings met, embraced, and King Brahmadatta pledged his daughter and returned to his own country. Upon returning to his country, he held an elaborate feast celebrating her birth, and asked, “What name should we give this child?” And they named her, saying, “Since her birth brought happiness to the two kingdoms, her name will be Kṣemaṅkarā (She Who Brings Happiness).” They raised young Kṣemaṅkarā on milk, yogurt, butter, ghee, and milk solids.

Now desires are like salt water—the more you use to slake your thirst, the more you need. So one day, King Brahmadatta’s queen conceived again, and when nine or ten months had passed,