大方便佛報恩經 4.37

4.37

"At that time, the prince at once wrote a letter in his own hand, recounting in full the above events to his parents. He again tied the letter to the goose's neck, and the goose, full of joy, returned to Vārāṇasī. When his parents received the prince's letter, they leaped for joy and praised it boundlessly, learning in full that the prince had been harmed by his younger brother Pāpamitra, who had seized the precious jewel, causing him boundless suffering and distress. His parents immediately put handcuffs and fetters on Pāpamitra's hands and feet, a cangue and chain around his neck, and shut him up in prison. They sent an envoy to inform King Ṛṣivadana: 'Why do you now detain the prince and cause me sorrow and suffering?' When King Ṛṣivadana heard these words, terror arose in his heart; he at once dressed the prince in fine robes and escorted him to the border. The prince sent an envoy to tell King Ṛṣivadana: 'Kalyāṇamitra has returned from the ocean.' Then King Ṛṣivadana arranged music and entertainment, with attendants leading ahead and following behind, sweeping, sprinkling, and burning incense, hanging silk banners and canopies, beating bells and striking drums, to welcome the prince from afar, bringing him back into the palace, marrying his daughter to him, and escorting him back to the kingdom of Vārāṇasī. When his parents heard that the prince had returned, they rejoiced boundlessly; riding great famous elephants, arranging music and entertainment, sweeping, sprinkling, and burning incense, hanging silk banners and canopies, they welcomed the prince from afar. The men and women of the kingdom, hearing that the prince had entered the great ocean and returned safe and sound, rejoiced boundlessly, and all went out to welcome him. Prince Kalyāṇamitra stepped forward and bowed his head at his parents' feet. The king and the queen, being blind, could not see the prince's appearance; they touched and stroked him with their hands: 'Are you my son Kalyāṇamitra or not? Your parents yearned for you, suffering sorrow like this.' After the prince finished inquiring after his parents' well-being, he raised his hand and spoke aloud in thanks to the petty kings, ministers, and all the assembly of the kingdom's people, saying: 'I have troubled the great assembly; from here you may return.' Prince Kalyāṇamitra said to his father the king: 'Where is my younger brother Pāpamitra now?' The king said: 'You need not inquire after him. Such an evil person is now in prison and must not be released.' Prince Kalyāṇamitra said: 'I wish that Pāpamitra be released so that I may meet with him.' When he had spoken thus three times, the king could not bear to refuse, and opened the prison gate.