諸經要集 17.9

17.9

At that time, King Prasenajit addressed the Buddha, saying: 'World-Honoured One, as the Buddha has said, when the mind is joyful and does not give rise to evil karma, it is called tainted wholesome [karma]; this is not so. Why? When a person drinks alcohol, the mind is joyful. Because of a joyful mind, defilements do not arise. Because there are no defilements, one does not cause harm. Because one does not harm living beings, the three karmas are pure. The path of purity is untainted karma. World-Honoured One, I recall that in the past, I went out on a hunting trip and forgot to bring along the royal cook. In the deep mountains, I felt hungry and wanted food and drink. Those around me replied, saying: 'When the King departed in the morning, no order was given to bring along the cook; currently there is no food.' When I heard these words, I galloped back to the palace and ordered food to be demanded. The royal supervisor of the kitchen was named Śukla. Śukla said: 'There is no ready-made food right now; it must be prepared now.' At that time, pressed by hunger, I did not reflect in my anger and ordered the ministers to behead the kitchen supervisor. Having received the King's order, the ministers discussed among themselves, saying: 'Searching throughout the state, this is the only person who is loyal, upright, and serves directly. If we kill him now, there will be no one else capable of supervising the kitchen for the King to the King's satisfaction.' At that time, Queen Mallikā heard the King's command to kill Śukla and felt great pity and affection for him. Knowing that the King was hungry and fatigued, she immediately ordered fine meat and delicious wine to be prepared, bathed with renowned scents, adorned her body, and took singing girls to my presence. When I saw the Queen adorned and beautiful, bringing along singing girls and fine wine and meat, my angry mind subsided. Why? Because Queen Mallikā upheld the Buddha's five precepts and abstained from drinking alcohol. I had always resented this in my heart; today, suddenly, she brought wine and meat to celebrate together and express feelings. I immediately drank wine and ate meat with the Queen, enjoyed various musical performances, and made merry; my resentful mind was extinguished. The Queen knew that I had forgotten my anger, so she sent a eunuch to convey my command without authorization, telling the ministers outside not to kill the kitchen supervisor, who immediately complied with the order. The next morning, I deeply blamed and regretted myself, grieved without eating, and my complexion withered. The Queen asked me: 'Why are you grieved? What troubles you?' I said: 'Yesterday, pressed by the fire of hunger, out of an angry mind I killed Śukla. Considering the entire state, there is no one else capable of supervising my kitchen like Śukla. For this reason, I am sorrowful and filled with regret.' The Queen smiled and said: 'That person is still alive; may the King not grieve.' I asked again, saying: 'Is this true, or is it a joke?' She answered, saying: 'He is truly alive; it is no joke.' I ordered those around me to summon the kitchen supervisor. The messenger went to summon him, and shortly brought him forth. I was overjoyed, and my sorrow was immediately dispelled.'