經律異相 26.10

26.10

In a kalpa of the past, there was a great king named Sarvadā (in the Liang language, “All-Giving”). He gave to all śramaṇas and all people, never refusing their wishes. In another kingdom, a brāhmaṇa youth lost his father when young, living with his mother, elder sister, and younger brother in great poverty. His mother said, “Now we are impoverished with no means of support. You may go to King Sarvadā and beg.” The son told his mother, “I do not yet possess any knowledge. I should first study, and only then proceed.” The mother would not permit it. The son first borrowed one ounce of gold, which could provide for a year's food, and then left home to study; after one year, he returned. Seeing him, the mother welcomed him and asked, “Did you go to King Sarvadā?” The son told his mother again, “My learning is not yet mastered; I must study further.” The mother said, “The previous gold is already exhausted.” He then went back to the creditor from whom he had borrowed before and borrowed another ounce of gold. The creditor said to the boy, “You have not yet repaid me the gold you took before. If you want more, only when you bring your mother and sister as pledges on the contract will you get it; if by the due date you have not settled it, they will become my male and female slaves.” He made the contract, took the gold, returned to hand it over to his mother, and once more left home to study. After another year had passed, his knowledge was roughly complete, and he wished to return and visit King Sarvadā. On the road, he was seized by the creditor, who brought him along with his mother, sister, and younger brother and put them in chains. The brāhmaṇa youth said to the creditor, “Holding me bound now will be of no benefit all year round. It would be better to release me so that I may go to King Sarvadā. When I beg and receive goods, I will repay you.” The creditor let him go. At that time, a foreign country raised an army to capture King Sarvadā. Hearing of this, the king thought to himself: “Human life is short and fragile, bound to end in impermanence. From youth I have loved giving; being compassionate and patient, I harm none, and I do not wish to resist that country. Why so? Simply do not make preparations, and do not be afraid. Just set out properly, welcome them, pay homage, and serve them respectfully; accept their commands, placing them above me.” The ministers said to the king, “The other country has entered our borders; why do we make no preparations?” The king remained silent and did not reply. This happened up to three times. The king said, “There is no need to resist; follow my previous words.” The ministers obeyed his decree. The king said, “Very well. Let each keep his household secure, and take care not to cause disturbance.” In the middle of the night, the king removed his seal and ribbon, silently fled, and departed. That king entered the country, assumed the throne, and immediately posted a reward seeking Sarvadā, with a very heavy bounty. Having left his kingdom and traveled more than five hundred li, the king saw a brāhmaṇa youth from afar, and the two met. The king asked, “Where do you wish to go now?” He replied, “I wish to go to Sarvadā. I lost my father in youth, and my family is extremely destitute. I used my mother, elder sister, and younger brother as security for a debt; I wish to beg of him to ransom them and support myself.” The king said, “I am Sarvadā. Another king desired my kingdom, and not wishing to harm anyone, I fled from him.” The brāhmaṇa youth threw himself upon the ground and wept bitterly, unable to contain himself. The king consoled and exhorted him to rise, telling him he need not weep any more: “What you seek, I will give you now.” The brāhmaṇa youth said, “The king has now lost his country. What do you have with which to aid my begging?” The king replied, “The king of that country has offered a very heavy reward for me. You may now cut off my head and take it to him; whatever you seek will be obtained.” Thereupon the brāhmaṇa youth spoke a verse: