經律異相 26.12

26.12

King Sarvadā spoke again to the brāhmaṇa youth: “If you do not wish to take my head, you may cut off my nose and ears and deliver them, for I will no longer be fit to be king.” The brāhmaṇa youth said, “I cannot bear that either.” The king said, “To bind and deliver me will also do.” The brāhmaṇa youth said, “How do I know that that king will do you no harm?” Thereupon the king and the brāhmaṇa youth returned together. When they approached within twenty-odd li of the kingdom, the king said, “You may bind me.” The brāhmaṇa youth then bound the king. The men, women, young, and old of the entire kingdom all wept and collapsed in grief, worse than if they had lost their own parents, and went before the palace gate. The ministers entered and said to the king, “The one sought in the previous bounty, Sarvadā, has been bound and brought by a brāhmaṇa youth; he is now at the palace gate.” That king immediately said, “Bring him in at once.” When all the ministers and people saw King Sarvadā, there were none who did not prostrate themselves on the ground and weep. The king who had seized the throne also shed tears and asked the ministers, “Why are you all weeping?” The ministers said, “We see that King Sarvadā abandoned his kingdom to you, O King, and furthermore has offered his own body to the brāhmaṇa youth without regret for what he has done; that is why we weep.” Hearing each of the ministers and people speak thus, that king who had seized the throne fell to the ground and wept bitterly, unable to control himself. He then asked the brāhmaṇa youth, “Where did you originally capture this king?” The brāhmaṇa youth answered the king, saying: “I was truly destitute, and pawned my mother, sister, and brother as security for a debt. Hearing that King Sarvadā loved giving exceedingly, I came from afar wishing to beg of him to redeem my mother, sister, and brother so that we could sustain ourselves. Meeting him on the road, we inquired after each other's welfare. King Sarvadā told me: ‘I have now abandoned my kingdom to another king and have nothing with which to give you alms.’ At that time, I was distressed, grieved, and desperate. Then King Sarvadā instructed me to cut off his head and bring it to you, O King. At that time I did not dare. He then told me to cut off his nose and ears and bring them, but again I refused. Finally, we returned together and he had me bind and bring him. What you ask of the beginning and end is truly like this.” Upon hearing what the brāhmaṇa youth said, that king who had seized the throne threw himself upon the ground, shedding tears. As he spoke, he ordered the ministers: “Quickly untie the king's bonds, bathe him, clothe him, invest him with his seal and ribbon, and reinstate him as king!” King Sarvadā then took the high seat and governed the country as before. Thereupon that king knelt upright with palms joined, praising him and speaking a verse: