50(10)Nārada
On one occasion the Venerable Nārada was dwelling atPataliputta at the Cock's Park.
Now on that occasion King Munda's[wife]Queen Bhaddā,who had been dear and beloved to him,had died.
Since her death,he did not bathe,anoint himself,eat his meals,or undertake his work.Day and night,he remained brooding over Queen Bhadda's body.
Then King Munda addressed his treasurer,Piyaka:
"Well then,friend Piyaka,[58]immerse Queen Bhaddā's body in an iron vat filled with oil and enclose it in another iron vat so that we can see Queen Bhadda's body still longer."
"Yes,sire,"the treasurer Piyaka replied.Then he immersed Queen Bhadda's body in an iron vat filled with oil and enclosed it in another iron vat.
Then it occurred to the treasurer Piyaka:
"King Munda's[wife]Queen Bhadda has died,and she was dear and beloved to him.
Since her death,he does not bathe,anoint himself,eathis meals,or undertake his work.Day and night,he remains brooding over the queen's body.
What ascetic or brahmin can King Munda visit,so that,having heard his Dhamma,he might abandon the dart of sorrow?"
Then it occurred to Piyaka:
"The Venerable Narada is dwelling at Pataliputta,in the Cock's Park.
Now a good report about this Venerable Nārada has circulated thus:
'He is wise,competent,intelligent,learned,an artful speaker,eloquent,mature,and an arahant.'
Suppose King Munda would visit the Venerable Narada:perhaps if he hears the Venerable Narada's Dhamma,he would abandon the dart of sorrow."
Then the treasurer Piyaka approached King Munda
and said to him:
"Sire,the Venerable Nārada is dwelling at Pataliputta,in the Cock's Park.
Now a good report about this Venerable Narada has circulated thus:
'He is wise...and an arahant.'
Your majesty should visit the Venerable Nārada.Perhaps,when you hear the Venerable Narada's Dhamma,you would abandon the dart of sorrow."
[The king said:]"Well then,friend Piyaka,[59]inform the Venerable Narada.
For how can one like me think of approaching an ascetic or brahmin living in his realm without first informing him?"
"Yes,sire,"Piyaka replied.Then he went to the Venerable Narada,
paid homage to him,sat down to one side,
and said:
"Bhante,King Munda's [wife]Queen Bhaddā,who was dear and beloved to him,has died.
Since the queen's death,he does not bathe,anoint himself,eat his meals,or undertake his work:Day and night,he remains brooding over the queen's body.
It would be good,Bhante,if the Venerable Narada would teach the Dhamma to King Munda in such a way that he can abandon the dart of sorrow."
"Then let King Munda come at his own convenience."
Then the treasurer Piyaka rose from his seat,paid homage to the Venerable Narada,circumambulated him keeping the right side toward him,and went to King Munda.
He told the king:
"Sire,the Venerable Narada has given his consent.
You may goat your own convenience."
"Well then,friend Piyaka,get the finest carriages harnessed!"
"Yes,sire,"Piyaka replied,and after he had gotten the finest carriages harnessed he told King Munda:
"Sire,the finest carriages have been harnessed.
You may go at your own convenience."
Then King Munda mounted a fine carriage,and along with the other carriages he set out in full royal splendor for the Cock's Park to see the Venerable Narada.
He went by carriage as far as the ground was suitable for a carriage,and then he dismounted from his carriage and entered the park on foot.
He approachedthe Venerable Narada,
paid homage to him,and sat down toone side.
[60]The Venerable Narada then said to him:
"Great king,there are these five situations that are unobtainable by an ascetic or a brahmin,by a deva,Mara,or Brahma,orby anyone in the world.
What five?
(1)'May what is subject to old age not grow old!':this is a situation that is unobtainable by an ascetic or a brahmin,by a deva,Māra,or Brahmā,or by anyone in the world.
(2)'May what is subject to illness not fall ill!':this is a situation that is unobtainable by an ascetic...or by anyone in the world.(3)'May what is subject to death notdie!':this is a situation that is unobtainable by an ascetic...or by anyone in the world.(4)'May what is subject to destruction not be destroyed!':this is a situation that is unobtainable by an ascetic...or by anyone in the world.(5)'May what is subject to loss not be lost!':this is a situation that is unobtainable by an ascetic or a brahmin,by a deva,Māra,or Brahmā,or by anyone in the world....
[The sequel is identicaI to 5:48,including the verses.][61-62]
When this was said,King Munda asked the Venerable Narada:
"Bhante,what is the name of this exposition of the Dhamma?"
"Great king,this exposition of the Dhamma is named the extraction of the dart of sorrow."
Sokasallaharaṇo nāma ayaṃ,mahārāja,dhammapariyāyo.
"Surely,Bhante,it is the extraction of the dart of sorrow!Surely,it is the extraction of the dart of sorrow!
For having heard this exposition of the Dhamma,I have abandoned the dart of sorrow."
Then King Munda said to the treasurer Piyaka:
"Well then,friend Piyaka,have Queen Bhadda's body cremated
and build a memorial mound for her.
From today on,I will bathe and anoint myself and eat my meals and undertake my work."[63]