法苑珠林 91.8

91.8

Furthermore, King Prasenajit wished to reward Lady Mallikā with a fragrant necklace, and called her out of the palace to inspect it. The lady came out wearing plain clothing on a fast day. Among the sixty thousand ladies, she was as radiant as the sun and the moon, twice as fair as usual. The king was filled with awe and asked her with heightened respect: 'What virtue do you possess that makes you so brilliantly extraordinary?' The lady addressed the king: 'I reflect that having little merit, I received this female body, whose disposition is defiled. Day and night my lifespan shortens, and I fear falling into the three bad destinies. Therefore, month after month I uphold the Buddha's Dharma fast, cutting off craving to follow the Path, and receiving blessings life after life. I wish to offer this fragrant necklace to the World-Honoured One.'