Tribes in Ancient India c51.78

c51.78

Sādhina, a righteous king in Mithilā, kept the five śīlas and observed the fast-day vows. His virtue was praised by the princes of heaven who sat in the ‘Justice Hall’ of Śakra, and all the gods desired to see him. Accordingly, Śakra ordered Mātali to bring Sādhina to heaven in his own chariot. Mātali went to the kingdom of Videha on the day of the full-moon, driving his celestial chariot side by side with the moon’s disc. All the people shouted, ‘See, two moons are in the sky’. Then, when the chariot came nearer, they saw what it was, and concluded that it had come for their virtuous king. Mātali went to the king’s door and made a sign that he should ascend the chariot. After arranging for the distribution of alms, the king went with Mātali. One-half of the city of gods and twenty-five millions of nymphs, and a half of the palace of Vaijayanta were given to Sādhina by Śakra; and the king lived there in happiness for seven hundred years. But when his merits were exhausted, dissatisfaction arose in him, and he did not wish to remain in heaven any longer. The king was carried back to Mithilā, where he distributed alms for seven days. On the seventh day he died, and was reborn in the heaven of the thirty-three (gods).²