Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c10.128

v1.c10.128

1. **Ekarāja.**—King of Benares. He was the Bodhisatta. A minister, whom he expelled on the ground of misconduct in the royal harem, took service under Dabbasena, king of Kosala, and incited him to make war on Ekarāja. The latter was captured while sitting on the dais in the midst of his councillors and hanged head downwards by a cord from the lintel of a door. In this position Ekarāja cultivated thoughts of loving-kindness towards his enemy and attained a stage of complete absorption in mystic meditation. His bonds burst and he sat crosslegged in mid air. Dabbasena was, meanwhile, seized with a burning pain in his body and, on the advice of his courtiers, had Ekarāja released, whereupon the pains disappeared. Realising Ekarāja’s holiness, Dabbasena restored the kingdom to him and asked his forgiveness.¹