佛本行集經

Chapter 13: THE CONTEST FOR MARRIAGE

(Part 2)

At that time, the Crown Prince said to the great mathematician Aśvina:

“Listen carefully. The number of dust motes within a yojana is not fixed. The number of dust motes gradually accumulates until it fills one asobha; likewise, there is also one nayuta, and furthermore, twenty hundred thousand kotis of nayutas, sixty thousand kotis, thirty-two kotis, five hundred thousand, and one hundred thousand. The sum total of such numbers of dust motes fully comprises one yojana. Thus, when calculated successively in order, yojanas are not fixed in size.

“This continent of Jambudvipa measures seven thousand yojanas equally in height and breadth; the western continent of Godaniya is eight thousand yojanas wide; the eastern continent of Purvavideha is nine thousand yojanas wide; and the northern continent of Uttarakuru is ten thousand yojanas wide. Such are the yojana measurements of the height and breadth of the trichiliocosm. Based upon this successive order of yojanas differing in size, I can calculate whether there are so many hundreds of yojanas, so many thousands of yojanas, or so many hundreds of thousands of yojanas.

Furthermore, according to the number of dust motes contained in each kind of yojana, the sum total can be known through calculation. Why, then, do people not know the number of dust motes within the trichiliocosm? Because this number surpasses all numbers known in the world, they consider it impossible to count or calculate.”

The great mathematician Aśvina and all the honored elders of the Śākya clan were so filled with joy and delight throughout their bodies that they could not contain themselves. They removed innumerable, boundless jeweled necklaces and all their garments, retaining only one set upon their bodies and presenting all the rest to the Crown Prince. At the same time, they praised him, saying:

“Excellent! Excellent! The Crown Prince’s knowledge is exceedingly profound and far-reaching. In all such successive methods of numerical calculation, the Crown Prince is again supreme. That is to say, his knowledge of every treatise on mathematics and numbers is truly profound and unequaled.”

The members of the Śākya clan continued:

“Today we have learned that the Crown Prince is foremost and unequaled in all treatises on mathematics and numbers. Next, we request that he compete in martial skills by using various weapons, so that we may see who ranks first and who is supreme.”

At that time, the honored members of the royal clan selected a minister of their lineage named Sahadeva to serve as the chief examiner of the martial contest, and said to him:

“Venerable and honored sir, carefully observe which among the youths ranks foremost in martial arts. The events shall include the use of weapons, discerning sounds, shooting over long distances, striking the target, and the strength required to draw a bow...”

At that time, at the contest grounds, the youth Ānanda placed an iron drum two krośas away as his target. The youth Devadatta placed an iron drum four krośas away as his target. Then the youth Nanda placed an iron drum six krośas away as his target. The minister Mahānāma of the Vāsiṣṭha clan placed an iron drum eight krośas away as his target. Successively, in due order, each youth placed an iron drum either farther away or nearer as his target. Crown Prince Siddhārtha, however, placed an exceedingly thick iron drum ten krośas away as his target.

The youth Ānanda then drew his bow and shot at the drum two krośas away. The arrow struck the face of the drum, but far from the center of the target, and failed to pierce it. The youth Devadatta shot at the iron drum four krośas away. His arrow lodged in the face of the drum but did not pierce it. The minister Mahānāma shot at the iron drum eight krośas away. His arrow also lodged in the face of the drum, not far from the center, but it likewise failed to pierce it. Each of the Śākya youths placed an iron drum either farther away or nearer as his target. Their arrows all struck the faces of the drums but failed to pierce them.

Then came Crown Prince Siddhārtha’s turn. As he was about to shoot, an official presented him with a bow. The Crown Prince received it, gently pressed the bow with his hand, and drew the string to test its strength. At that very moment, the bow broke and the string snapped. The Crown Prince therefore asked the entire assembly:

“Does anyone know whether there is a fine bow within this city, one strong enough for me to use without restraint?”

King Śuddhodana was exceedingly delighted and immediately replied:

“Our royal family has one.”

The Crown Prince said:

“Great King, you say there is one. Where is that bow now?”

The King replied:

“The Crown Prince’s grandfather, whose honored name was Siṃhahanu, possessed a bow that is now kept in the celestial shrine, where offerings of incense and flowers are constantly made to it day and night. Yet among all the Śākya kinsmen within the city, not one can draw its bowstring, much less draw it fully and shoot.”

The Crown Prince said:

“Great King, please quickly send someone to bring it here.”

Soon afterward, a messenger brought the bow. He first handed it to the royal youths. They took it, but not one of them could pull the string taut, much less draw the bow and shoot. Next, the minister Mahānāma exerted all his strength, yet he too could not pull the string taut, much less draw the bow and shoot. Finally, the messenger presented it to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince took the bow and sat firmly upon the ground, his body unmoving. Using only a little strength, he held the bow in his left hand and grasped the string with his right. As soon as his fingers gently drew the bowstring, it produced a sound that resounded throughout the entire city of Kapilavastu. All the inhabitants of the city were terrified and asked one another, “What was that sound?” Some heard others reply, “Crown Prince Siddhārtha is using the bow of his grandfather Siṃhahanu. He has just drawn its string, causing such a sound to arise.”

When King Śuddhodana saw this, he bestowed innumerable and boundless treasures upon the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince raised the bow, held an arrow in his right hand, and, with godlike strength, drew the bowstring until the arrow reached the center of his chest. Only then did he release it. The arrow passed beyond the drums of Ānanda, Devadatta, and the minister Mahānāma, and flew directly toward the iron drum ten krośas away. It pierced both faces of the drum, and then vanished into empty space.

At that time, the devas in the sky spoke verses of praise:

The Supremely Excellent One within this realm,

Seated upon the seat of Buddhas of the past—

All the people of Magadha

Now behold his wondrous skill in archery.

His wisdom and the six pāramitās perfected,

All hostile foes shall be subdued;

The skandhas, Māra, and afflictions shall be dispelled,

And he shall attain the qualities of permanence, bliss, self, and purity.

On the true path to bodhi, he shall never regress;

The very roots of suffering in birth and death shall be severed;

The sufferings of aging, illness, grief, and sorrow shall be swept away;

Through wondrous wisdom, he shall realize nirvana.

After speaking these verses, the devas scattered various kinds of sublime celestial flowers upon the Crown Prince. Having scattered them, they suddenly vanished into empty space. At that time, Lord Śakra, from within the sky, caught the Crown Prince’s arrow and carried it back to the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven. There he established a festival in honor of the arrow. On festival days, the devas would regularly assemble and make offerings of incense and flowers. Even to this day, the devas still observe this Festival of the Arrow.

At that time, the members of the Śākya clan again said:

“Prince Siddhartha is skilled at shooting arrows over great distances and has surpassed everyone. We ask the Prince to try shooting at the tree trunks and see how many his arrow can pierce.” Not far from the contest ground, a row of tala trees suddenly appeared. Among the five hundred youths, some shot an arrow through one tala tree, some through two tala trees, some through three tala trees, some through four tala trees, and some through five tala trees. At that time, the Prince took up an arrow and shot it through seven tala trees. After piercing the seventh tree, the arrow struck the ground and broke into a hundred pieces.

The members of the Sakya clan then made iron figures of boars. Among the youths, some shot through one iron boar, while others shot an arrow through two, three, four, or five. The Prince, however, took up an arrow and shot it through seven iron boars. After piercing the seventh, the arrow embedded itself deep in the earth. Where the arrow entered, the ground opened into a well, and to this day the people still call that place the “Arrow Well.”

The royal kinsmen set out seven iron jars and filled them with water. Among the youths, some shot arrows with red-hot tips, yet their arrows pierced only one jar; others pierced two jars, three jars, four jars, or as many as five jars. The Prince’s red-hot, flaming arrow, however, pierced all seven iron jars filled with water in a single shot. After passing through the seventh jar, it flew into a forest of great pala trees not far away, and as soon as the arrow passed through it, the forest was consumed by fire in an instant.

The kinsmen of the Sakya clan then said:

“In the art of archery, the Prince excels everyone. We now ask that the contest continue with the cutting of trees, with only a single stroke permitted.” Among the youths, some held a sword and severed one tree into two with a single stroke; some felled two trees with one stroke, some three, some four, and some five. When the Prince’s turn came, he held the sword and struck once, severing seven tala trees at the same time. Although all seven tala trees had been cut through at their bases, their trunks did not fall. The royal youths shouted:

“The Prince could not cut down even one tree!” At that very moment, devas of the Pure Abodes in the form realm conjured a powerful wind that blew down all seven tala trees.

Next, the youth Nanda brought forward a bundle of bamboo, into the hollow interiors of which iron rods had already been inserted, and presented it before the Prince. Seeing the bundle of bamboo, the Prince did not know that it contained iron, so he saw no need to exert great strength. Grasping his sword in his left hand, he struck the bundle once, and it was immediately severed in two, just as a strong man might wield a blade to cut through a bamboo stalk or an arrow shaft. So it was! So it was! The Prince cut through the bundle of iron rods concealed within the bamboo. Taking it to be merely a bundle of bamboo, he lightly wielded the sword in his left hand, and the blade swept straight through the bundle of iron rods.

The members of the Sakya clan then said:

“In the tree-cutting contest, the Prince has surpassed everyone. Let us now continue with a contest in elephant riding, testing the techniques of leaping up and tumbling down, to see who possesses the greatest skill.” Among the youths, some leapt onto an elephant’s back from in front of its trunk; some leapt onto its back from beneath its feet; and some leapt onto its back from beneath its tail. While leaping up, some held a great iron club, some an iron discus, some an iron shield, and others a spear, lance, or long sword.

They held a weapon in the left hand as they leapt up, and once mounted, caught it with the right hand and cast it to the ground. When the Prince leapt onto the elephant’s back, whether standing or running, he would sometimes stand with both feet upon its two tusks and sometimes tread upon its head. In his left hand he grasped various weapons—an iron club, iron discus, iron shield, spear, lance, or even a long sword.

If he caught one in his left hand, he hurled it to the ground with his right; if he caught one in his right hand, he hurled it to the ground with his left.

None of the royal youths could equal him. They then said:

“Let us now compete with one another in horsemanship.”

Among the youths, some, holding a lance or bow and arrows, leapt from one horse to mount a second horse. While riding, they thrust their lances, brandished their swords, or shot arrows at targets no larger than rings. Some struck the target, while others missed.

Some youths vaulted over two horses to mount the third and then shot, either striking or missing the target. Some vaulted over three horses to mount the fourth and shot, either striking or missing the target. Others vaulted over four horses to mount the fifth and shot, either striking or missing the target.

At that time, the Prince, holding a lance as well as a bow and arrows, vaulted over six horses and mounted the seventh. While riding, he shot arrows at targets as fine as the tip of a strand of fur or a single hair, and every shot struck its mark. Thus, whether standing upon a chariot and demonstrating all the arts in succession, or somersaulting through the air, he performed with consummate skill and ease.

There were contests in music, singing and dancing, satire, humorous entertainments, dyeing garments, and the goldsmith’s craft of fashioning objects from precious jewels; contests in painting scenes of trees and leaves, blending fragrances, games of chance, and games such as chaupar, weiqi, and backgammon; contests in hurling spears, throwing objects over great distances, and leaping across pits. All such arts were fully demonstrated.

In every contest, the Prince ranked first.

The members of the Sakya clan said:

“Today we all know that the Prince has achieved complete and overwhelming victory in every art. Now we should test our strength against one another and see who will prevail.”

The Prince then withdrew and sat to one side, while the youths arranged themselves in two parallel rows and tested their strength against one another. In this manner, there were thirty-two groups in all. After each youth had finished his contest, he withdrew and stood resting to one side.

Next, the youth Ananda suddenly came and stood before the Prince, intending to wrestle with him. Yet, through the Prince’s majestic virtue and spiritual power, as soon as the Prince extended his hand and seized Nanda, Nanda was utterly unable to resist and immediately fell headlong to the ground. Then the youth Devadatta came before the Prince with an air of great arrogance and conceit, for he had never before tested his strength against the Prince.

Now, wishing to prove himself the Prince’s equal in a contest of strength, he drew himself up boldly and ran around the contest ground. He then charged swiftly toward the Prince, intending to hurl himself upon him and strike.

At that time, the Prince was neither hasty nor slow. Calmly and deliberately, he seized the youth Devadatta’s body with his right hand, lifted him high above the ground, and walked three times around the contest ground. He then whirled Devadatta’s body through the air. The Prince aroused compassion in order to subdue Devadatta’s arrogant and conceited mind and had no wish to kill him. He therefore slowly and gently lowered Devadatta onto the ground so that his body would suffer no injury. The Prince then said:

“Alas! All of you, I have no need to compete in strength with you one at a time. Gather together and all contend with me at once.”

At that time, all the youths grew arrogant and rushed forward together, intending to strike the Prince with fists at the ready. But none could strike him because of the Prince’s majestic virtue and strength. Unable to withstand him, they all fell headlong to the ground.

Everyone in the Sakya clan was astonished and said to one another:

“How rare! How rare! From the time of his birth until this day, the Prince has never undergone any training, yet now he displays mastery of every kind of skill.”

At that time, all the spectators in the arena, seeing such an unprecedented event, cried out in unison:

“Bravo! Bravo!” Others raised many resounding cheers, while all joyfully tossing their jeweled necklaces and garments into the air.

At that time, immeasurable numbers of devas in the sky spoke verses in unison in praise:

Throughout the worlds of the ten directions,

However many heroic warriors there may be,

Though each one’s strength equaled Devadatta’s,

They could not compare with one hair of the Prince.

The Great Being’s majestic power is boundless;

With a swing of his arm, all whom he touches fall.

The holy one’s awe-inspiring might is beyond measure.

How could any of you compare with him?

Suppose lofty Mount Sumeru,

Together with the great and lesser Iron Encircling Mountains,

And all the mountains of the ten directions—

Were he to strike them, they would turn to dust.

Hard iron and vajra,

And however many precious gems there may be,

Upon encountering his strength would all be shattered;

How much more so if he struck you youths!

After speaking these verses, the devas scattered all kinds of flowers over the Prince and immediately concealed themselves, vanishing into the sky.

Thus, in all the skills in which they competed in succession, the Prince prevailed and surpassed everyone.

At that time, King Suddhodana personally saw and realized that the Prince’s many abilities surpassed those of everyone else. Joy and delight filled his entire body, and his satisfaction was so great that he could not contain it. Out of reverence, he immediately ordered someone to return to the inner palace and adorn a white elephant magnificently with jeweled necklaces, taking care that everything was properly prepared. The Great King said:

“This white elephant shall convey the Prince, my beloved son, back to the royal palace.”

The great white elephant was sent to escort the Prince back into the inner city. As it passed through the city gate, it encountered the youth Devadatta returning from outside the city. Seeing the magnificently adorned white elephant, he asked its keeper:

“To whom will this elephant be given, and where is it going?”

The elephant keeper replied:

“This white elephant is leaving the city to welcome the Prince and escort him back to the inner palace.”

At that time, Devadatta, considering himself a member of a noble and honored clan, was exceedingly arrogant. Relying also upon his own strength, he behaved overbearingly and feared no one. Moreover, because he was jealous of the Prince, the youth, while still a short distance in front of the elephant, ran toward it, seized its trunk with his left hand, struck its forehead with his right, and hurled it violently. The elephant fell headlong, rolled three times upon the ground, and died. The enormous elephant lay across and blocked the entire city gate, preventing people from entering or leaving, and the road gradually became packed with people.

After Devadatta had gone on, the youth Nanda came next and wished to enter the city. Seeing the dead white elephant lying across the gateway and its immense body blocking the entire passage so that the people could not come and go, he asked those nearby:

“Who caused this?”

The crowd replied:

“Young sir, this great white elephant was killed by the youth Devadatta. He grasped its trunk with his left hand, struck its forehead with his right, and hurled it violently. The elephant fell headlong, rolled three times upon the ground, and died.”

Nanda thought, “The youth Devadatta displayed his strength and caused the white elephant to die. But its carcass is enormous, and its fluids are befouling the city gate and obstructing those who come and go.” The youth therefore grasped the elephant’s tail with his right hand and dragged it about seven paces away from the city gate.

Following Nanda came Prince Siddhartha. As he approached the city gate, the Prince saw the dead white elephant lying before it and asked a passerby:

“Who killed this white elephant?”

The passerby replied:

“The youth Devadatta struck it on the forehead... and the elephant died.”

The Prince then asked:

“And who dragged the elephant away from the city gate?”

They all replied:

“The youth Nanda grasped its tail with his right hand and dragged it about seven paces away from the city gate.”

The Prince said:

“Well done, Nanda! You have performed a meritorious deed.”

The Prince then thought, “Although these two youths have displayed their strength, the elephant’s body is immense. When it decomposes, its foul odor will drift into and pollute this city.” Having reflected thus, he lifted the elephant’s body with his left hand, supported it from below with his right, raised it high into the air, and hurled it outside the city. It passed beyond seven tiers of ramparts, and the elephant’s carcass fell about one krosa from the city. Where its body landed, it struck the earth and formed a great pit. Even to this day, the local people traditionally call this depression “the Pit Where the Elephant Fell,” a name originating from this event.

At that time, immeasurable and boundless hundreds of thousands of people exclaimed in unison:

“How rare! How rare! Such a deed is truly extraordinary.”

Each of them said:

“Excellent! Excellent! This great and powerful man is truly extraordinary and rare in the world. Never before has such a thing been seen or heard.”

They then spoke verses in praise:

Devadatta struck and killed the white elephant;

Nanda dragged it seven paces from the city;

The Prince lifted it aloft with his hands,

And tossed it beyond the city like a clod of earth.

The minister Mahanama saw that the Prince was fully endowed with ability and wisdom and that, in every field of letters, martial arts, craftsmanship, and other skills, he had prevailed and surpassed everyone under heaven. He then said to the Prince:

“May the Prince accept my repentance. Previously, I considered the Prince to be without talent or skill and ignorant of every craft. This caused doubts to arise in my mind, and I refused to give you my daughter in marriage. Now I understand clearly. I pray that you and my daughter may be joined in marriage for a hundred years.”

The Prince then selected an auspicious day and month and had his own wealth used to make all the preparations properly. Exercising the authority and power of a great king, he went to welcome Yasodhara. Adorned with jeweled necklaces and accompanied by five hundred female attendants, the Prince escorted her back to the inner palace. There they amused themselves together and enjoyed the pleasures of the five senses.

Thus, there is a verse that says:

Yasodhara was the minister’s daughter,

Her fame spread throughout the land, known near and far.

The Prince chose an auspicious day and took her as his wife,

Welcoming her into the palace at the royal court.

The Prince and she enjoyed sensual pleasures together,

Indulging in them without ever knowing satiety,

Their joy like that of the great lady Sachi.

One day, after the Blessed One had attained enlightenment, the Venerable Udayin addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored Tathagata, why, in the past, when the Prince was still at the royal court and wished to marry Yasodhara, did he not obtain her through the power of a king, through the influence of a noble clan, through the power of wealth and riches, or through his handsome features, refined appearance, and magnificent complexion, but instead obtained her as his wife only by displaying his mastery of the various skills?”

The Blessed One said to Udayin:

“Venerable Udayin, you should listen attentively. It was not only in this present life that I married Yasodhara without relying upon the power of an exalted and mighty royal lineage, nor even upon a handsome and imposing appearance. Rather, I married her solely through my skill in the various crafts. It was likewise in the past.”

Venerable Udayin said:

“World-Honored One, how did this come to pass? Please tell me.”

The Buddha said to Venerable Udayin:

“Venerable one, I recall that immeasurable kalpas ago, in the kingdom of Varanasi, there lived a highly skilled blacksmith. He had a daughter whose countenance was lovely, whose figure was graceful and upright, and whose face was full and beautiful. In all the world, scarcely could her equal be found, and she was beloved by many. At that same time, in the city of Varanasi, a wealthy elder had a son whose appearance was as handsome and pleasing as that of the aforementioned maiden.

“One day, the elder’s son happened to see the blacksmith’s daughter looking out from a window in a lofty pavilion to admire the scenery. When the young man saw her, love arose in his heart. Her image remained constantly in his thoughts, and so he hurried home and said to his parents:

“‘Respected parents, that skilled blacksmith has a daughter whom I love and wish to marry.’

“The elder and his wife replied:

“‘You should not marry the blacksmith’s daughter, for doing so would bring disgrace upon our family. We shall find the daughter of another elder, a great minister, or a householder and take her as your wife.’

“The young man replied:

“‘I am determined not to marry the daughter of any such family. I desire only to marry the blacksmith’s daughter. If I cannot take her as my wife, I shall surely kill myself and end my life, for I will have no wish to live.’

“At that time, the elder and his wife became deeply distressed. Fearing that their beloved son would take his own life, they sent a messenger to invite the blacksmith to their home and said:

“‘We have heard that you have a daughter. Would you now be willing to give her in marriage to our son?’

“The blacksmith replied:

“‘Honored elder and lady, I am unwilling to give my daughter in marriage to one whose hands possess no craft.’

“The elder and his wife replied:

“‘What kind of skilled artisan would you choose as a husband for your daughter? Are you not concerned that she might suffer poverty and lack food and clothing?’

“The blacksmith replied:

“‘Although I understand this, I wish only to find someone who shares my craft. If a young man is highly skilled in a trade, I shall give my daughter to him. Even if he is not wealthy, I value only his mastery of his craft. Whatever preparations he can make according to his means, I shall then give my daughter to him.’

“When the elder and his wife heard this, they related the entire matter to their son. By then, however, the elder’s son and the maiden were already of one heart. Moreover, the young man was skilled in craftsmanship. Applying himself with complete concentration, he mastered the making of needles. One day, he fashioned many needles, polished them with oil until they were exceedingly smooth and lustrous, gathered them into a large bundle, placed them inside a bamboo tube, and carried them to the home of the skilled blacksmith. When he reached the village gate, he stood at the roadside and proclaimed these verses to sell his needles:

Neither rough nor coarse, the iron is smooth,

Polished until its radiance is pure.

These are the work of a skilled craftsman—

Who would purchase these needles?

“At that time, the blacksmith’s daughter was inside a window of the lofty pavilion. Hearing the elder’s son proclaim verses to sell his needles, she immediately replied in verse:

How strange! This madman,

Truly devoid of sense,

Has suddenly come to a blacksmith’s home

And loudly offers needles for sale.

“The elder’s son replied in verse:

Lovely and charming maiden,

I am certainly not mad.

I am truly a man of skill and wisdom,

Able to fashion excellent needles.

When your father comes to meet me

And fully understands this matter,

You will surely become my wife,

And he will also bestow immeasurable wealth.

“When the skilled blacksmith’s daughter heard him speak in this way, she hurried before her parents and said:

“‘Father and Mother, I have just heard someone outside loudly proclaiming verses to sell needles, as I have related. He wishes to come and demonstrate to you his exquisite art of making needles.’

“The skilled blacksmith and his wife immediately sent someone to summon the needle seller. When the young man entered, the blacksmith asked:

“‘Excellent, young man! Are you truly well versed in the craft of making needles?’

“The young man replied:

“‘Honored uncle and aunt, I am able to make them.’

“The blacksmith then asked:

“‘Let me see what your needles are like.’

“The young man poured a needle out of the bamboo tube, handed it to the blacksmith, and said:

“‘Please examine it.’

“When the blacksmith saw the needle, he praised him, saying:

“‘Excellent, young man! You are skilled in making needles and in boring their eyes.’

“The young man said to the blacksmith:

“‘Honored sir, there is another needle unlike the one taken from the bamboo tube. It is far better than that one.’

“The young man then produced another needle and showed it to the blacksmith. After examining it, the blacksmith again praised him:

“‘You are highly skilled in boring the eye of a needle.’

“The young man said again:

“‘Honored sir, this one is still not excellent. There is another that is better.’

“For the third time, the young man produced another needle and handed it to the blacksmith.

“As before, the blacksmith praised him with gracious words:

“‘You are highly skilled in boring the eye of a needle.’

“The young man said again:

“‘Honored sir, that needle is not yet exquisitely wrought. There is another that is better.’

“For the fourth time, the young man produced another needle and showed it to the blacksmith. After examining it, the blacksmith praised him:

“‘It is fashioned with great skill! The eye has been bored exceedingly well.’

“The young man said again:

“‘Honored sir, that needle is still not an excellent needle.’

“He then produced another needle and showed it to the blacksmith. After examining it, the blacksmith again praised him:

“‘It is fashioned with great skill, and its eye is exceedingly delicate.’

“The young man said again:

“‘Honored sir, that needle is still not a supreme work.’

“He then produced the sixth needle and showed it to the blacksmith.

“After examining it, the blacksmith again praised him:

“‘This indeed is a needle of the highest excellence and the utmost subtlety. Its eye is exceedingly finely wrought.’

“The young man gathered all the needles of the various kinds in his palm and then placed them in water, where every needle floated.

“When the blacksmith witnessed this rare marvel, such as he had never before seen or heard of, he was filled with joy and delight. He then praised the young man in verse:

Never before have I seen or heard

Of needles so skillfully fashioned.

Now, with a heart filled with joy,

I give my daughter to you in marriage.

“At that time, the Buddha said to Venerable Udayin:

“Venerable one, you should know that the elder’s son of that time was I myself in the present day, while the daughter of that skilled blacksmith is now Yasodhara. At that time, when I married her, I did not rely upon the power of an eminent household or an exalted lineage, nor even upon my handsome and dignified appearance. I obtained her as my wife solely by demonstrating my skill in craftsmanship. It is likewise today: in obtaining Yasodhara, I did not rely upon an exalted lineage or a handsome and imposing appearance, but obtained her solely through a contest of skill in the various arts.”

Chapter 14: WINNING A WIFE WHILE WEARING ORDINARY CLOTHES

(Part 1)

At that time, all the youths of the Sakya clan were handsome and dignified in appearance, extraordinarily beautiful and exceedingly lovable, with few in the world able to equal them; people never tired of looking at them. They were all unsurpassed in the arts and skills. These included literary studies, painting, calculation, engraving, discerning sounds, the various arts of expert archery, and so forth. They were thoroughly versed in all of them, possessing ingenious wisdom, intelligence, and discernment. Among these youths, Prince Siddhartha ranked first. The youth Nanda ranked second, and Devadatta third. Apart from these three, no one surpassed the others.

At that time, in the city of Kapilavastu, there was a great minister of the Dandapani family named Pani. This great minister was exceedingly wealthy, possessing an abundance of the seven treasures, grain, money, silk, and other goods. His property was plentiful and piled as high as mountains, all acquired in accordance with the Dharma and not through unrighteous means.

He had many people, male and female servants, envoys who managed external affairs, and household stewards who supervised his estate. Oxen, horses, elephants, goats, and every other kind of possession were all present in abundance. He also had immeasurable and boundless quantities of gold, silver, vaidurya, mani jewels, pearls, mother-of-pearl, agate, coral, and amber.

All such things were available according to his wishes, with not a single kind lacking. The adornments within his residence were no different from the palace of Vaisravana. At that time, the great minister had a daughter named Gopika.

Her features were upright and lovely; her figure was neither tall nor short, neither stout nor thin; her complexion was neither dark nor pale; and she was neither coarse nor frail. She was in the prime of youth and was regarded as a national treasure.

King Suddhodana learned that the great minister Dandapani, a member of the Sakya clan within his realm, had a daughter of such peerless beauty. Having learned this, the king chose an auspicious day and month and ordered the Brahmin royal preceptors to go as envoys to Minister Pani’s residence and say: “We have heard that the great minister has a daughter named Gopika. She may now enter into the bond of husband and wife with Our Crown Prince.”

At that time, Nanda’s father also heard that the great minister Dandapani had a very beautiful daughter and that the Great King wished to ask for her hand in marriage on behalf of Prince Siddhartha. Although he had heard this, he nevertheless sent someone to say to the great minister Dandapani: “Your daughter Gopika may enter into a lifelong union with my son Nanda. If you do not consent, I shall certainly cause you harm.”

The youth Devadatta likewise heard that the great minister Dandapani had a daughter who was about to become Prince Siddhartha’s wife. Although he knew this, he still sent an envoy to the great minister Dandapani’s residence to say: “Your daughter Gopika may now marry me. If you do not give her to me in marriage, I shall bring great calamity upon you.”

At that time, the great minister Dandapani thought: “These three Sakya youths are all strikingly handsome, beautiful, lovable, and without equal. They excel in both the literary and martial arts and are highly accomplished in every skill. Prince Siddhartha ranks first, Nanda second, and Devadatta third. I have only one daughter. If I now give her in marriage to the Prince, the other two youths will bear a grudge against me. If I give her to Nanda, I shall incur the displeasure of the Prince and Devadatta. If I give her to Devadatta, then the Prince and Nanda will bring grievous trouble upon me!” The great minister became deeply worried and distressed. His countenance was joyless as he sat silently pondering to himself, “How am I to resolve this matter?”

When Gopika saw her father sitting silently with a sorrowful appearance, she approached the great minister and said:

“Ah! Why does Father seem unhappy today, sitting there looking so troubled?”

The great minister replied:

“Gopika, my beloved daughter, you should not ask about this, for it is not something you need to know.”

She asked him a second time.

The great minister again replied:

“It is not something you need to know.”

She asked a third time and repeated her question even a fourth time. Then she continued:

“Father! Please tell me. You should not conceal it from me.”

At that time, because his daughter had earnestly entreated him and asked for the fourth time, the great minister Dandapani said:

“Gopika, you have asked me three times, and now a fourth. You must listen carefully, and I shall tell you:

“Today, King Suddhodana sent an envoy to say: ‘We have heard that the great minister has a daughter who may enter into the bond of husband and wife with Our Crown Prince.’

“Afterward, the youth Nanda also sent an envoy to say: ‘Your daughter Gopika may enter into a lifelong union with me. If the great minister does not consent, I shall cause you harm.’

“Finally, the youth Devadatta also sent an envoy to say: ‘Your daughter Gopika may now marry me. If the great minister does not give her to me in marriage, I shall bring great calamity upon you.’

“All three envoys asked that you become the wife of their respective masters. Upon hearing them, I became exceedingly sorrowful and thought: ‘If I give you in marriage to the Prince, the other two youths will bear a grudge against me...’ That is why I sit here silently, sorrowfully pondering.”

Gopika said to her father:

“Enough, Father. There is no reason for you to grieve. I shall use wisdom to settle this matter and shall certainly choose one man to be my husband. However, Father must be accommodating and allow me the freedom to choose my lifelong companion.”

When the great minister Dandapani heard his daughter speak in this way, he first reported the matter to the king. Then, at a crossroads in the city of Kapilavastu, the great minister rang a bell with his hand and proclaimed aloud:

“From this day until the seventh day, a maiden of the Sakya clan named Gopika wishes to find a husband. Let it therefore be announced to all the young men throughout the inner city: whoever wishes to marry her, when the sixth day has ended and the seventh day arrives, should assemble before the palace gate.”

Upon receiving this news, on the seventh day five hundred Sakya youths, headed by Prince Siddhartha, all assembled at the palace gate. At that time, King Suddhodana, together with the senior ministers of the royal house and countless citizens—men and women, old and young—all gathered before the king’s palace. The Prince’s attendants and the attendants of the other youths gazed upon Gopika’s beauty and discussed among themselves, wondering which youth she would choose as her husband.

When the sixth day had passed and dawn broke on the seventh, the maiden Gopika bathed in pure water at first light. She then anointed her body with various exquisite fragrances, donned splendid garments of many colors, and adorned herself with jeweled necklaces and garlands of fragrant flowers. Accompanied on both sides by many maidservants, as well as by her nurse and the palace attendants responsible for guiding her, she slowly entered the palace gate in orderly procession, some before and others behind.

As for the youths Nanda and Devadatta, both ranked foremost among the five hundred royal youths. Early on the seventh morning, they bathed in hot, scented water and anointed themselves with various fragrant oils, adorning themselves just as Gopika had been adorned above. Prince Siddhartha alone wore no elaborate ornaments. He was dressed simply, wearing only earrings and three golden garlands upon his head.

At that time, the nurse asked Gopika:

“Which youth do you wish to choose as your husband?”

Gopika looked over each of the five hundred youths in turn and then replied:

“Mother, you should know that these young men wear a great many jeweled necklaces as adornments upon their bodies, like women. In my womanly judgment, for a young man to adorn himself in this manner is a sign of timidity, not the mark of a great man. Such splendid attire is worn by women to captivate men. A man need not adorn his body in this way; a great man has adornments of his own. The body of Prince Siddhartha possesses its own majestic radiance and needs no jeweled necklaces for embellishment. He has no need of external ornaments to beautify his countenance, for his person is naturally endowed with all the marks of a great man. It is my wish to choose Prince Siddhartha as my husband.”

At that time, with her right hand, the maiden Gopā held a garland of sumanā flowers and walked once around before the assembly. Finally, she approached Prince Siddhartha. When she reached him, she stood upright and, reverently raising the flower garland with both hands, slowly placed it around the Prince’s neck. Then she put her arms around his neck and said, “Prince Siddhartha, today I ask you to be my lifelong companion.”

The Prince replied:

“So it is! So it is! It shall be as you have said!” Then the Prince took a garland of sumanā flowers, placed it around Gopā’s neck, and said, “I now accept you as my wife; henceforth, you shall be my wife.”

When King Śuddhodana witnessed this extraordinary event, his heart overflowed with such exultant joy that he could not contain himself. At that time, among the assembly, countless people who loved the Prince leapt high into the air, stood on one leg and spun around, or tossed up their jeweled necklaces, robes, and headdresses. Singing and dancing joyfully, they all cried out in loud voices, “Bravo! Bravo!”

As for the five hundred young men and their attending retinues, they gathered together with sorrowful and dejected expressions. Not one of them bore a joyful countenance. Lowering their heads in shame and harboring disheartened thoughts, they dispersed and returned home.

At that time, Prince Siddhartha was entirely satisfied. All manner of riches, precious jewels, and other beautiful articles were fully prepared as betrothal gifts. Gopā was further adorned with many exquisite jeweled necklaces, and five hundred maidservants were assigned to attend her on every side. She was then escorted into the inner palace, where together they freely enjoyed its pleasures.