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[Bimbisara's court at Rajagaha]

V. The Sakyas will make a hard fight, great King, and the war will cost blood. These northern settlers are taller and stronger than other races and possess the courage of the inhabitants of their former frigid homes. It would be easier to take possession of their state if I married Princess Yasodhara and gradually[63] assumed the government under your protection. Your mighty friendship would support me on the throne and you could rule through me.

Bb. That sounds acceptable, but in the meantime, I prepare for war.

V. Even in war I shall be of service to you. I can lead your army where it will not meet with resistance, and I know the names of those who are dissatisfied. Many could be induced to join your forces; and I can betray the very person of the raja into your hands.

Bb. Nodding kindly to Visakha, then turning to Nagadeva.

Is our kingdom in readiness?

N. Great King, it is. General Siha stands in the field with a strong force ready to strike. There are another fifty thousand within call to make a sudden dash upon any of our neighbors should they dare come to the aid of Sakya. Our treasury is well filled, and the people of Magadha are prosperous. We could stand even a protracted war far better than any other state in India.

Bb. The time seems favorable; the risk is small, and the spoil will be great. Convene my generals in the assembly hall.

Ap. Are they gone, my Lord, and what did you decide?[64]

Bb. I propose to go to war.

Ap. You are rightly called "the Warlike."

Bb. I want to round off my kingdom and expand my power northward until it reaches the Himalayas.

Ap. The gods will speed you and the blessings of the saints shall be upon your people.

St. There is a holy man who wants to see your Highness. His name is Devadatta.

Bb. Show him in.

Ap. Is he not one of the disciples of the Buddha?

Bb. I believe he is.

Dd. Hail, great King! Protector of religion and victor of many battles!

Bb. What brings you to my presence? I always rejoice to see holy men. Their coming is auspicious, and I am happy to be of service to them.

Dd. Great King, I implore your assistance for the brotherhood which I have founded. We need your royal support and the holiness of our lives will surround you as a halo with heavenly protection.[65]

Bb. Are you not a disciple of Gotama, who is called the Buddha?

Dd. No longer, mighty King, I was his disciple so long as I believed in him; but he is not holy. I have abandoned him. He is not austere; his disciples do not practise self-mortifications, and he speaks kindly and dines with sinners. My disciples do not dress in worldly garments; they would not accept the invitation of women; they would not touch animal food. He who calls himself the Buddha is unworthy of that high title; he is a pretender who has not reached the highest goal. My rules are much more strict than his, and my brotherhood alone is holy.

Bb. Holiness is a mighty thing.

Dd. Yea, and our vows will shield your government, your throne, your army and your people against any misfortune.

Bb. I shall send my treasurer to investigate and will do what is right.

Dd. Maharaja, be assured of my deepest gratitude.

Ap. [re-enters, excited] My royal friend, do not trust that man [pointing toward the door where Devadatta went out]. He is false. He may be holy, but he is treacherous. He may be virtuous; he may shun joy and the blessings of life, he may practise all penances, he may torture and mortify his body. But there is no true goodwill in him. His holiness is[66] egotistic, and his religion is hypocrisy. Support his brotherhood with money or gifts as you see fit, but do not believe what he says about the Buddha.

Bb. [With an inquiring look] Why?

Ap. I know what he meant when he scoffed at him. When the Buddha stayed at Vesali, I invited that noblest of all monks to take his meal with me. I am not holy; I am a worldly woman; I am not a saint; but I have a warm heart, I feel for others and I want to do what is right. When I heard that the Buddha stayed in the mango grove, I thought to myself, I will go and see him. If he is truly all-wise, he will judge my heart and he will judge me in mercy. He will know my needs and will not refuse me. I went to the mango grove and he looked upon me with compassion; he accepted my invitation in the presence of witnesses, openly, fearlessly, and in kindness. There were the proud Licchavi princes, and close to him stood the envious Devadatta. How they scowled; how they condemned the great and kindly saint! How they whispered, "Shame on him!" and I saw how they despised me—yet they did not dare to speak out or to censure him publicly. Then, my gracious King, I knew that he was truly the Lord Buddha, the Allwise.

Bb. My dear friend, I accept every word you say as true. I know the goodness of your heart, I know your worth, your loving kindness, and if you were of royal birth you would be worthy to wear a crown. The Buddha did not demean himself when he honored[67] you.

Ap. Allow me one question. Did the Buddha ever beg you to support his brotherhood?

Bb. No, he did not; but I will give him all the assistance he may need.

Ap. Did he ever offer you the support of his vows, or did he ever praise the efficacy of his holiness?

Bb. He never did.

Ap. Neither does he stand in need of self-recommendation, for his very presence is a blessing, because he spreads goodwill and kindliness, and the people who hear him are ashamed of doing anything unrighteous. Devadatta extends to you the promise, if you but support his disciples, of an unconditional protection through his holiness. The Buddha's protection is not so cheaply earned. I heard him say that every one must protect himself by his own righteousness, and no prayer, no sacrifice, no religious devotion, nor even penance or fasts could protect a man from the wrongs which he does.

Bb. The Buddha's presence would be more auspicious than ten Devadattas.

Ap. Oh, most assuredly! And what a contempt I have for the virtuous indignation of men who, overmoral themselves, judge haughtily of others; yet, if you look into their souls you discover that they are heartless and self-seeking villains.

Bb. Your judgment is well grounded.[68]

Ap. The Buddha alone possesses greatness, and the Buddha does not seek honor, but the people adore him.

Bb. Rajagaha must become the center of India. I will send for the Buddha and invite him to visit me. His sojourn here will make the kingdom of Magadha more famous than conquests and victories.