3.
The Discourse on Maghadeva
308. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Mithilā in the Maghadeva mango grove. Then the Blessed One manifested a smile at a certain spot. Then this occurred to the Venerable Ānanda: "What is the cause, what is the condition, for the Blessed One's manifestation of a smile? Truth-finders do not manifest a smile without reason." Then the Venerable Ānanda, having arranged his robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Blessed One, said this to the Blessed One: "What, venerable sir, is the cause, what is the condition, for the Blessed One's manifestation of a smile? Truth-finders do not manifest a smile without reason." "Once upon a time, Ānanda, in this very Mithilā there was a king named Maghadeva, a righteous king of righteousness, established in righteousness, a great king; he practised righteousness among the brahmins and householders, among the townspeople and country folk; and he observed the Observance on the fourteenth, the fifteenth, and the eighth of the fortnight. Then, Ānanda, after the elapse of many years, many hundreds of years, many thousands of years, King Maghadeva addressed his barber: 'When you, my dear barber, should see grey hairs arisen on my head, then you should inform me.' 'Yes, Sire,' Ānanda, the barber assented to King Maghadeva. Then, Ānanda, after the elapse of many years, many hundreds of years, many thousands of years, the barber saw grey hairs arisen on King Maghadeva's head. Having seen them, he said this to King Maghadeva: 'Divine messengers have appeared to Your Majesty; grey hairs arisen are seen on your head.' 'If so, my dear barber, having carefully pulled out those grey hairs with tweezers, place them in my joined palms.' 'Yes, Sire,' Ānanda, the barber, having assented to King Maghadeva, having carefully pulled out those grey hairs with tweezers, placed them in King Maghadeva's joined palms.
309. "Then, Ānanda, King Maghadeva, having given the barber an excellent village, having had his eldest son, the prince, summoned, said this - 'Divine messengers have appeared to me, dear prince; grey hairs arisen are seen on my head; I have enjoyed human sensual pleasures; now is the time to seek divine pleasures. Come, dear prince, take charge of this kingdom. But I, having shaved off my hair and beard, having put on ochre robes, shall go forth from home into homelessness. Therefore, dear prince, when you too should see grey hairs arisen on your head, then having given the barber an excellent village, having thoroughly instructed your eldest son, the prince, in the kingdom, having shaved off your hair and beard, having put on ochre robes, you should go forth from home into homelessness. You should continue this good practice that has been established by me; do not be the last man for me. In whatever generation of men, dear prince, when such a good practice is cut off, he becomes the last man for them. Therefore I say this to you, dear prince - you should continue this good practice that has been established by me; do not be the last man for me.' Then, Ānanda, King Maghadeva, having given the barber an excellent village, having thoroughly instructed his eldest son, the prince, in the kingdom, in this very Maghadeva mango grove, having shaved off his hair and beard, having put on ochre robes, went forth from home into homelessness. He dwelt having pervaded one direction with a mind accompanied by friendliness, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; thus above, below, across, everywhere, and in every respect, he dwelt having pervaded the entire world with a mind accompanied by friendliness, extensive, exalted, limitless, without enmity, without ill-will. With a mind accompanied by compassion... with a mind accompanied by altruistic joy... he dwelt having pervaded one direction with a mind accompanied by equanimity, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; thus above, below, across, everywhere, and in every respect, he dwelt having pervaded the entire world with a mind accompanied by equanimity, extensive, exalted, limitless, without enmity, without ill-will.
"Now, Ānanda, King Maghadeva played the amusements of a boy for eighty-four thousand years, exercised viceroyalty for eighty-four thousand years, exercised kingship for eighty-four thousand years, and for eighty-four thousand years, having gone forth from home into homelessness in this very Maghadeva mango grove, he lived the holy life. He, having developed the four divine abidings, upon the body's collapse at death, was reborn in the Brahma world.
310. "Then, Ānanda, after the elapse of many years, many hundreds of years, many thousands of years, King Maghadeva's son addressed his barber - 'When you, my dear barber, should see grey hairs arisen on my head, then you should inform me.' 'Yes, Sire,' Ānanda, the barber assented to King Maghadeva's son. Then, Ānanda, after the elapse of many years, many hundreds of years, many thousands of years, the barber saw grey hairs arisen on King Maghadeva's son's head. Having seen them, he said this to King Maghadeva's son - 'Divine messengers have appeared to Your Majesty; grey hairs arisen are seen on your head.' 'If so, my dear barber, having carefully pulled out those grey hairs with tweezers, place them in my joined palms.' 'Yes, Sire,' Ānanda, the barber, having assented to King Maghadeva's son, having carefully pulled out those grey hairs with tweezers, placed them in King Maghadeva's son's joined palms.
"Then, Ānanda, King Maghadeva's son, having given the barber an excellent village, having had his eldest son, the prince, summoned, said this - 'Divine messengers have appeared to me, dear prince; grey hairs arisen are seen on my head; I have enjoyed human sensual pleasures; now is the time to seek divine pleasures. Come, dear prince, take charge of this kingdom. But I, having shaved off my hair and beard, having put on ochre robes, shall go forth from home into homelessness. Therefore, dear prince, when you too should see grey hairs arisen on your head, then having given the barber an excellent village, having thoroughly instructed your eldest son, the prince, in the kingdom, having shaved off your hair and beard, having put on ochre robes, you should go forth from home into homelessness. You should continue this good practice that has been established by me; do not be the last man for me. In whatever generation of men, dear prince, when such a good practice is cut off, he becomes the last man for them. Therefore I say this to you, dear prince - you should continue this good practice that has been established by me; do not be the last man for me.' Then, Ānanda, King Maghadeva's son, having given the barber an excellent village, having thoroughly instructed his eldest son, the prince, in the kingdom, in this very Maghadeva mango grove, having shaved off his hair and beard, having put on ochre robes, went forth from home into homelessness. He dwelt having pervaded one direction with a mind accompanied by friendliness, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; thus above, below, across, everywhere, and in every respect, he dwelt having pervaded the entire world with a mind accompanied by friendliness, extensive, exalted, limitless, without enmity, without ill-will. With a mind accompanied by compassion... with a mind accompanied by altruistic joy... he dwelt having pervaded one direction with a mind accompanied by equanimity, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; thus above, below, across, everywhere, and in every respect, he dwelt having pervaded the entire world with a mind accompanied by equanimity, extensive, exalted, limitless, without enmity, without ill-will. Now, Ānanda, King Maghadeva's son played the amusements of a boy for eighty-four thousand years, exercised viceroyalty for eighty-four thousand years, exercised kingship for eighty-four thousand years, and for eighty-four thousand years, having gone forth from home into homelessness in this very Maghadeva mango grove, he lived the holy life. He, having developed the four divine abidings, upon the body's collapse at death, was reborn in the Brahma world.
311. "Now, Ānanda, King Maghadeva's sons and grandsons, his lineage in succession, eighty-four thousand kings, in this very Maghadeva mango grove, having shaved off their hair and beards, having put on ochre robes, went forth from home into homelessness. They dwelt having pervaded one direction with a mind accompanied by friendliness, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; thus above, below, across, everywhere, and in every respect, they dwelt having pervaded the entire world with a mind accompanied by friendliness, extensive, exalted, limitless, without enmity, without ill-will. With a mind accompanied by compassion... with a mind accompanied by altruistic joy... they dwelt having pervaded one direction with a mind accompanied by equanimity, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; thus above, below, across, everywhere, and in every respect, they dwelt having pervaded the entire world with a mind accompanied by equanimity, extensive, exalted, limitless, without enmity, without ill-will. For eighty-four thousand years they played the amusements of a boy, for eighty-four thousand years they exercised viceroyalty, for eighty-four thousand years they exercised kingship, for eighty-four thousand years, having gone forth from home into homelessness in this very Maghadeva mango grove, they lived the holy life. They, having developed the four divine abidings, upon the body's collapse at death, were reborn in the Brahma world. Nimi was the last king among them, a righteous king of righteousness, established in righteousness, a great king; he practised righteousness among the brahmins and householders, among the townspeople and country folk; and he observed the Observance on the fourteenth, the fifteenth, and the eighth of the fortnight.
312. "Once upon a time, Ānanda, when the gods of the Thirty-three were seated together assembled in the Sudhammā assembly hall, this discussion arose - 'It is a gain indeed, friend, for the Videhas, it is well-gained indeed, friend, for the Videhas, whose King Nimi is a righteous king of righteousness, established in righteousness, a great king; he practised righteousness among the brahmins and householders, among the townspeople and country folk; and he observes the Observance on the fourteenth, the fifteenth, and the eighth of the fortnight.' Then, Ānanda, Sakka, the lord of the gods, addressed the gods of the Thirty-three - 'Would you wish, sirs, to see King Nimi?' 'We wish, sir, to see King Nimi.' Now at that time, Ānanda, King Nimi, on the Observance day, the fifteenth, having bathed his head, observing the Observance, had gone up to the upper terrace of the excellent palace and was seated. Then, Ānanda, Sakka, the lord of the gods - just as a strong man might extend his bent arm or bend his extended arm, even so - having vanished from the gods of the Thirty-three, appeared before King Nimi. Then, Ānanda, Sakka, the lord of the gods, said this to King Nimi - 'It is a gain for you, great king, it is well-gained for you, great king. The gods of the Thirty-three, great king, are seated in the Sudhammā assembly hall praising you thus - "It is a gain indeed, friend, for the Videhas, it is well-gained indeed, friend, for the Videhas, whose King Nimi is a righteous king of righteousness, established in righteousness, a great king; he practised righteousness among the brahmins and householders, among the townspeople and country folk; and he observes the Observance on the fourteenth, the fifteenth, and the eighth of the fortnight." The gods of the Thirty-three, great king, wish to see you. I will send to you, great king, a chariot yoked with a thousand thoroughbreds; may you ascend, great king, the divine vehicle without fear.' King Nimi, Ānanda, consented by silence.
313. Then, Ānanda, Sakka, the lord of the gods, having learned of King Nimi's acceptance - just as a strong man might extend his bent arm or bend his extended arm, even so - having vanished before King Nimi, appeared among the gods of the Thirty-three. Then, Ānanda, Sakka, the lord of the gods, addressed Mātali the charioteer - 'Come, my dear Mātali, having yoked the chariot harnessed to a thousand thoroughbreds, approach King Nimi and say thus - this, great king, is a chariot yoked with a thousand thoroughbreds, sent by Sakka, the lord of the gods; may you ascend, great king, the divine vehicle without fear.' 'Yes, venerable sir,' Ānanda, Mātali the charioteer, having assented to Sakka, the lord of the gods, having yoked the chariot harnessed to a thousand thoroughbreds, approached King Nimi and said this - 'This, great king, is a chariot yoked with a thousand thoroughbreds, sent by Sakka, the lord of the gods; ascend, great king, the divine vehicle without fear. But, great king, by which way shall I take you - by which way those of evil deeds experience the result of evil deeds, or by which way those of good deeds experience the result of good deeds?' 'Take me by both ways, Mātali.' Then, Ānanda, Mātali the charioteer brought King Nimi into the Sudhammā assembly hall. Then, Ānanda, Sakka, the lord of the gods, saw King Nimi coming from afar. Having seen King Nimi, he said this - 'Come indeed, great king. Welcome, great king. The gods of the Thirty-three, great king, wish to see you, seated in the Sudhammā assembly hall praising you thus - "It is a gain indeed, friend, for the Videhas, it is well-gained indeed, friend, for the Videhas, whose King Nimi is a righteous king of righteousness, established in righteousness, a great king; he practised righteousness among the brahmins and householders, among the townspeople and country folk; and he observes the Observance on the fourteenth, the fifteenth, and the eighth of the fortnight." The gods of the Thirty-three, great king, wish to see you. Enjoy yourself, great king, among the gods with divine power.' 'Enough, sir, take me back to Mithilā right there. Thus I shall practise righteousness among the brahmins and householders, among the townspeople and country folk; and I observe the Observance on the fourteenth, the fifteenth, and the eighth of the fortnight.'
314. Then, Ānanda, Sakka, the lord of the gods, addressed Mātali the charioteer - 'Come, my dear Mātali, having yoked the chariot harnessed to a thousand thoroughbreds, take King Nimi back to Mithilā right there.' 'Yes, venerable sir,' Ānanda, Mātali the charioteer, having assented to Sakka, the lord of the gods, having yoked the chariot harnessed to a thousand thoroughbreds, took King Nimi back to Mithilā right there. There, Ānanda, King Nimi practised righteousness among the brahmins and householders, among the townspeople and country folk, and he observed the Observance on the fourteenth, the fifteenth, and the eighth of the fortnight. Then, Ānanda, after the elapse of many years, many hundreds of years, many thousands of years, King Nimi addressed his barber - 'When you, my dear barber, should see grey hairs arisen on my head, then you should inform me.' 'Yes, Sire,' Ānanda, the barber assented to King Nimi. Then, Ānanda, after the elapse of many years, many hundreds of years, many thousands of years, the barber saw grey hairs arisen on King Nimi's head. Having seen King Nimi, he said this - 'Divine messengers have appeared to Your Majesty; grey hairs arisen are seen on your head.' 'If so, my dear barber, having carefully pulled out those grey hairs with tweezers, place them in my joined palms.' 'Yes, Sire,' Ānanda, the barber, having assented to King Nimi, having carefully pulled out those grey hairs with tweezers, placed them in King Nimi's joined palms. Then, Ānanda, King Nimi, having given the barber an excellent village, having had his eldest son, the prince, summoned, said this - 'Divine messengers have appeared to me, dear prince; grey hairs arisen are seen on my head; I have enjoyed human sensual pleasures; now is the time to seek divine pleasures. Come, dear prince, take charge of this kingdom. But I, having shaved off my hair and beard, having put on ochre robes, shall go forth from home into homelessness. Therefore, dear prince, when you too should see grey hairs arisen on your head, then having given the barber an excellent village, having thoroughly instructed your eldest son, the prince, in the kingdom, having shaved off your hair and beard, having put on ochre robes, you should go forth from home into homelessness. You should continue this good practice that has been established by me; do not be the last man for me. In whatever generation of men, dear prince, when such a good practice is cut off, he becomes the last man for them. Therefore I say this to you, dear prince - 'You should continue this good practice that has been established by me; do not be the last man for me.'
315. "Then, Ānanda, King Nimi, having given the barber an excellent village, having thoroughly instructed his eldest son, the prince, in the kingdom, in this very Maghadeva mango grove, having shaved off his hair and beard, having put on ochre robes, went forth from home into homelessness. He dwelt having pervaded one direction with a mind accompanied by friendliness, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; thus above, below, across, everywhere, and in every respect, he dwelt having pervaded the entire world with a mind accompanied by friendliness, extensive, exalted, limitless, without enmity, without ill-will. With a mind accompanied by compassion... with a mind accompanied by altruistic joy... he dwelt having pervaded one direction with a mind accompanied by equanimity, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; thus above, below, across, everywhere, and in every respect, he dwelt having pervaded the entire world with a mind accompanied by equanimity, extensive, exalted, limitless, without enmity, without ill-will. Now, Ānanda, King Nimi played the amusements of a boy for eighty-four thousand years, exercised viceroyalty for eighty-four thousand years, exercised kingship for eighty-four thousand years, and for eighty-four thousand years, having gone forth from home into homelessness in this very Maghadeva mango grove, he lived the holy life. He, having developed the four divine abidings, upon the body's collapse at death, was reborn in the Brahma world. Now, Ānanda, King Nimi had a son named Kaḷārajanaka. He did not go forth from home into homelessness. He cut off that good practice. He was the last man for them.
316. "Now, Ānanda, you might think thus - 'Surely another was King Maghadeva at that time, by whom that good practice was established.' But this, Ānanda, should not be seen thus. I at that time was King Maghadeva. By me that good practice was established; the later populace continued it. But that good practice, Ānanda, did not lead to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to peace, to direct knowledge, to enlightenment, to Nibbāna, but only to rebirth in the Brahma world. But this good practice, Ānanda, now established by me leads exclusively to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to peace, to direct knowledge, to enlightenment, to Nibbāna. And what, Ānanda, is this good practice now established by me that leads exclusively to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to peace, to direct knowledge, to enlightenment, to Nibbāna? It is just this noble eightfold path, as follows - right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. This, Ānanda, is the good practice now established by me that leads exclusively to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to peace, to direct knowledge, to enlightenment, to Nibbāna. This I say to you, Ānanda, thus - 'You should continue this good practice that has been established by me; do not be the last men for me.' In whatever generation of men, Ānanda, when such a good practice is cut off, he becomes the last man for them. This I say to you, Ānanda, thus - 'You should continue this good practice that has been established by me; do not be the last men for me.'"
This is what the Blessed One said. Delighted, the Venerable Ānanda rejoiced in what the Blessed One had said.
The Discourse on Maghadeva is concluded as third.