經律異相 24.25

24.25

In the past there was a king named Mandhātṛ. He was born from his mother's head and later became a cakravartin king. East, west, south, and north all belonged to him, and he was complete with the seven treasures. The king had a thousand sons. He ruled over the four continents for several thousand years. In his mind he thought to himself: 'I possess the four continents; the populace is thriving and grain is plentiful and cheap; my thousand sons are upright, exceedingly talented, and valiant. Would it not be delightful if heaven were made to rain gold and silver for seven days and seven nights?' Heaven thereupon rained coins, gold, and silver for the king for seven days and seven nights. The king was filled with joy. Hearing that the populations of the lands in all directions were flourishing, the king mustered the seven treasures and the fourfold army, and together the host flew through the air, proceeding to the various countries in turn. All surrendered to him, and he governed the world with the correct Dharma. In this manner several thousand years passed in each [realm]. The king again gave rise to a thought: 'I possess the land of Jambudvīpa, [measuring] two hundred and eighty thousand li; I possess the land of Godānīya, [measuring] three hundred and twenty thousand li; I possess the land of Pūrvavideha, [measuring] three hundred and sixty thousand li. The king has only heard that in the north there is Uttarakuru, where under heaven there is great joy and the population is flourishing. The king desires to go there. There, there are neither poor nor rich, weak nor strong; there are neither slaves nor maidservants, noble nor base—all are of one and the same status. Let my multitude of people join together in eating the naturally occurring non-glutinous rice and wearing the naturally occurring garments, ornaments, and various precious jewels.' Thereupon they flew together and entered Uttarakuru. The ground was blue-green like kingfisher feathers. Advancing further, they saw naturally growing rice as white as snow. 'You people should eat it.' Advancing further, they saw various jewel trees: trees bearing a hundred kinds of clothing, with gold, silver, and necklaces all hanging from the trees. The king asked his attending ministers, 'Do you see these things or not?' The attending ministers said, 'Indeed, we see them.' Entering the country, the people all surrendered to him. The king ruled the land of Uttarakuru, [measuring] four hundred thousand li, for several thousand years. He again thought: 'I possess the four continents; the king desires to ascend the precious Mount Sumeru and go to the dwelling place of the heavenly king Śakra in Trāyastriṃśa.' Thereupon he mustered the seven treasures and the hundred officials, and together they flew to Mount Sumeru and entered the palace of the heavenly king Śakra. King Śakra saw him from afar and welcomed him, saying, 'I have often heard of the Great King's virtues, and have long wished to see you. It is wonderful that the benevolent one has come!' He then took him by the hand and sat down with him, ceding half of his seat to King Mandhātṛ. Just as he sat down, looking left and right, he saw that in heaven there were jade maidens. In his mind he then thought: 'I possess the four continents and everything that rain can bestow in treasures. If only the heavenly king Śakra would die! I wish to take his place and govern heaven just as I govern the world below.' As soon as this thought occurred, he was separated [from heaven] and immediately returned to the world below. He then fell ill, became bedridden and enfeebled. A minister asked the king, 'Did you not harbor a thought of wanting to obtain the station of the heavenly king Śakra?' He replied, 'As soon as that thought arose, I dropped down to the earth and was straightaway afflicted with this severe illness.' In his heart he repented to himself, saying: 'Man is never insatiable; few are those who know contentment. King Mandhātṛ was none other than myself.' (Extracted from the Mandhātṛ Sūtra)