經律異相 25.30

25.30

昔閻浮提有大國王。名衢樓婆。領八萬四千小國。覆育人物。心自念言。我但以財貨資給一切。終無道教此實我咎。宣令國內誰能有法為我說者資其所須。毘沙門王化為夜叉來詣宮門。誰欲聞法我當為說。王躬出迎作禮。初集群僚請聞正法。夜叉告言。學法事難。須王所愛妻子。與我食之。王即命夫人太子與夜叉食。群臣皆哭。王意不迴。夜叉食盡。即說偈言。

Formerly in Jambudvīpa there was a great king named Kaurava, who ruled over eighty-four thousand small kingdoms and nourished the people. He thought to himself: “I merely supply everyone with wealth and goods, but never with the teaching of the Way; this is truly my fault.” He proclaimed throughout the kingdom: “Whoever possesses Dharma and can expound it for me, I shall supply whatever they require.” King Vaiśravaṇa transformed himself into a yakṣa and came to the palace gate: “Who wishes to hear the Dharma? I will explain it for him.” The king went out in person to welcome him and pay homage; he assembled the officials and requested to hear the true Dharma. The yakṣa said to him, “Studying the Dharma is a difficult matter; I require the king’s beloved wife and child to feed upon.” The king immediately commanded his consort and crown prince to be fed to the yakṣa. The ministers all wept, but the king's resolve did not turn back. When the yakṣa had finished eating them, he then spoke a gāthā: