In olden times at Benares, Brahmadatta king of Kasi was rich, possessed of great wealth, ample means of enjoyment, a mighty army, many vehicles, an extensive kingdom, and well filled treasuries and storehouses. Dighiti king of Kosala was poor, possessed of meager wealth, scanty means of enjoyment, a small army, few vehicles, a little kingdom, and unfilled treasuries and storehouses.

Now Brahmadatta king of Kasi drew up his fourfold army and went up against Dighiti king of Kosala. And Dighiti king of Kosala heard: "Brahmadatta king of Kasi, they say, has drawn up his fourfold army, and is come up against me." Then to Dighiti king of Kosala occurred the following thought: "Brahmadatta king of Kasi is rich, possessed of great wealth, ample means of enjoyment, a mighty army, many vehicles, an extensive kingdom, and well filled treasuries and storehouses. But I am poor, possessed of meager wealth, scanty means of enjoyment, a small army, few vehicles, a little kingdom, and unfilled treasuries and storehouses. I am not strong enough to withstand even a single clash with Brahmadatta king of Kasi. Suppose I were merely to countermarch and slip out of the city!"

Accordingly Dighiti king of Kosala took his consort, merely countermarched, and slipped out of the city. Thereupon Brahmadatta king of Kasi conquered the army and vehicles and territory and treasuries and storehouses of Dighiti king of Kosala, and took possession. And Dighiti king of Kosala with his consort set out for Benares, and in due course arrived at Benares. And there, in a certain place on the outskirts of Benares, Dighiti king of Kosala resided with his consort, in a potter's dwelling, in disguise, in the guise of a wandering ascetic.

Now in no very long time the consort of Dighiti king of Kosala became pregnant. And this was her craving: She desired at sunrise to see a fourfold army drawn up, clad in armor, standing in a pleasant place, and to drink the rinsings of swords. Accordingly the consort of Dighiti king of Kosala said this to Dighiti king of Kosala: "I am pregnant, O king. And this craving has arisen within me: I desire at sunrise to see a fourfold army drawn up, clad in armor, standing in a pleasant place, and to drink the rinsings of swords." "Whence are we, wretched folk, to obtain a fourfold army drawn up, clad in armor, standing in a pleasant place, and the rinsings of swords?" "If, king, I do not obtain my desire, I shall die."

Now at that time the Brahman who was the house-priest of Brahmadatta king of Kasi was a friend of Dighiti king of Kosala. Accordingly Dighiti king of Kosala approached the Brahman who was the house-priest of Brahmadatta king of Kasi. And having approached, he said this to the Brahman who was the house-priest of Brahmadatta king of Kasi: "Sir, your female friend is pregnant. And this craving has arisen within her: She desires at sunrise to see a fourfold army drawn up, clad in armor, standing in a pleasant place, and to drink the rinsings of swords." "Very well, O king, we also will see the queen."

Now the consort of Dighiti king of Kosala approached the Brahman who was the house-priest of Brahmadatta king of Kasi. The Brahman who was the house-priest of Brahmadatta king of Kasi saw the consort of Dighiti king of Kosala approaching even from afar. And seeing her, he rose from his seat, adjusted his upper robe so as to cover one shoulder only, and bending his joined hands in reverent salutation before the consort of Dighiti king of Kosala, thrice breathed forth the utterance: "All hail! Kosala dwells in thy womb! All hail! A king of Kosala dwells in thy womb!" Then he said: "Be not distressed, O queen. You shall obtain your desire to see at sunrise a fourfold army drawn up, clad in armor, standing in a pleasant place, and to drink the rinsings of swords."

Thereupon the Brahman who was the house-priest of Brahmadatta king of Kasi approached Brahmadatta king of Kasi. And having approached, he said this to Brahmadatta king of Kasi: "Thus, O king, the signs appear: To-morrow at sunrise let the fourfold army be drawn up, clad in armor, standing in a pleasant place, and let the swords be washed."

Accordingly Brahmadatta king of Kasi ordered his men: "Do as the Brahman who is my house-priest has said." Thus the consort of Dighiti king of Kosala obtained her desire to see at sunrise a fourfold army drawn up, clad in armor, standing in a pleasant place, and to drink the rinsings of swords. And when that unborn child had reached maturity, the consort of Dighiti king of Kosala brought forth a son, and they called his name Dighavu. And in no very long time Prince Dighavu reached the age of reason. Now to Dighiti king of Kosala occurred the following thought: "This Brahmadatta king of Kasi has done us much injury. He has robbed us of army and vehicles and territory and treasuries and storehouses. If he recognizes us, he will cause all three of us to be put to death. Suppose I were to cause Prince Dighavu to dwell outside of the city!" Accordingly Dighiti king of Kosala caused Prince Dighavu to dwell outside of the city. And Prince Dighavu, residing outside of the city, in no very long time acquired all the arts and crafts.

Now at that time the barber of Dighiti king of Kosala resided at the court of Brahmadatta king of Kasi. The barber of Dighiti king of Kosala saw Dighiti king of Kosala residing with his consort in a certain place on the outskirts of Benares, in a potter's dwelling, in disguise, in the guise of a wandering ascetic. When he saw him, he approached Brahmadatta king of Kasi. And having approached, he said this to Brahmadatta king of Kasi: "O king, Dighiti king of Kosala is residing with his consort in a certain place on the outskirts of Benares, in a potter's dwelling, in disguise, in the guise of a wandering ascetic."

Thereupon Brahmadatta king of Kasi ordered his men: "Now then, bring Dighlti king of Kosala with his consort before me." "Yes, your majesty," said those men to Brahmadatta king of Kasi; and in obedience to his command brought Dighiti king of Kosala with his consort before him. Then Brahmadatta king of Kasi ordered his men: "Now then, take Dighlti king of Kosala with his consort, bind their arms tight behind their backs with a stout rope, shave their heads, and to the loud beating of a drum lead them about from street to street, from crossing to crossing, conduct them out of the South gate, hack their bodies into four pieces south of the city, and throw the pieces in the four directions."

"Yes, your majesty," said those men to Brahmadatta king of Kasi; and in obedience to his command took Dighiti king of Kosala with his consort, bound their arms tight behind their backs with a stout rope, shaved their heads, and to the loud beating of a drum led them about from street to street, from crossing to crossing.

Now to Prince Dighavu occurred the following thought: "It is a long time since I have seen my mother and father. Suppose I were to see my mother and father!" Accordingly Prince Dighavu entered Benares, and saw his mother and father, their arms bound tight behind their backs, their heads shaven, being led about, to the loud beating of a drum, from street to street, from crossing to crossing. When he saw this, he approached his mother and father.

Dighiti king of Kosala saw Prince Dighavu approaching even from afar. When he saw him, he said this to Prince Dighavu: "Dear Dighavu, do not look long! Do not look short! For, dear Dighavu, hatreds are not quenched by hatred. Nay rather, dear Dighavu, hatreds are quenched by love."

At these words those men said this to Dighiti king of Kosala: "This Dighiti king of Kosala is stark mad, and talks gibberish. Who is Dighavu to him? To whom did he speak thus: 'Dear Dighavu, do not look long! Do not look short! For, dear Dighavu, hatreds are not quenched by hatred. Nay rather, dear Dighavu, hatreds are quenched by love'?" "I am not stark mad, I assure you, nor do I talk gibberish. However, he that is intelligent will understand clearly." For the second and the third time Dighiti king of Kosala spoke thus to Prince Dighavu, and those men spoke thus to Dighiti king of Kosala.

Then those men led Dighiti king of Kosala with his consort about from street to street, from crossing to crossing, conducted them out of the South gate, hacked their bodies into four pieces south of the city, threw the pieces in the four directions, posted a guard of soldiers, and departed.

Thereupon Prince Dighavu entered Benares, procured liquor, and gave it to the soldiers to drink. When they were drunk and had fallen, he gathered sticks of wood, built a pyre, placed the bodies of his mother and father on the pyre, lighted it, and with joined hands upraised in reverent salutation thrice made sunwise circuit of the pyre.

Now at that time Brahmadatta king of Kasi was on an upper floor of his splendid palace. And Brahmadatta king of Kasi saw Prince Dighavu, with joined hands upraised in reverent salutation, thrice making sunwise circuit of the pyre. When he saw this, the following thought occurred to him: "Without doubt that man is a kinsman or blood-relative of Dighiti king of Kosala. Alas, my wretched misfortune, for no one will tell me the facts!"

Now Prince Dighavu went to the forest, wailed and wept his fill, and wiped his tears away. Then he entered Benares, went to the elephant-stable adjoining the royal palace, and said this to the elephant-trainer: "Trainer, I wish to learn your art." "Very well, young man, learn it." Accordingly Prince Dighavu rose at night, at time of dawn, and sang and played the lute with charming voice in the elephant-stable.

Brahmadatta king of Kasi heard him as he rose at night, at time of dawn, and sang and played the lute with charming voice in the elephant-stable. Hearing him, he asked his men: "Who was it, pray, that rose at night, at time of dawn, and sang and played the lute with charming voice in the elephant-stable?" "Your majesty, it was a young man, the pupil of such-and-such an elephant-trainer, who rose at night, at time of dawn, and sang and played the lute with charming voice in the elephant-stable." "Very well, bring that young man to me." "Yes, your majesty," said those men to Brahmadatta king of Kasi; and in obedience to his command brought Prince Dighavu to him.

"Was it you, young man, who rose at night, at time of dawn, and sang and played the lute with charming voice in the elephant-stable?" "Yes, your majesty." "Very well, young man, sing and play the lute for me." "Yes, your majesty," said Prince Dighavu to Brahmadatta king of Kasi; and in obedience to his command, desiring to win his favor, sang and played the lute with charming voice.

Thereupon Brahmadatta king of Kasi said this to Prince Dighavu: "You, young man, may wait upon me." "Yes, your majesty," said Prince Dighavu to Brahmadatta king of Kasi, and obeyed his command. And Prince Dighavu rose in advance of Brahmadatta king of Kasi, retired after him, obeyed his every command, conducted himself in a pleasing manner, spoke in a friendly manner. And in no very long time Brahmadatta king of Kasi appointed Prince Dighavu to a highly confidential position.

Now Brahmadatta king of Kasi said this to Prince Dighavu: "Now then, young man, harness the chariot; I wish to go a-hunting." "Yes, your majesty," said Prince Dighavu to Brahmadatta king of Kasi. And having, in obedience to the king's command, harnessed the chariot, he said this to Brahmadatta king of Kasi: "Your majesty, the chariot is harnessed for you; do as you think fit." Thereupon Brahmadatta king of Kasi mounted the chariot; Prince Dighavu drove the chariot. In such wise did he drive the chariot that the army went one way, the chariot the other.

Now when he had gone a long way, Brahmadatta king of Kasi said this to Prince Dighavu: "Now then, young man, unharness the chariot. I am tired: I wish to lie down." "Yes, your majesty," said Prince Dighavu to Brahmadatta king of Kasi; and in obedience to his command unharnessed the chariot and sat down on the ground cross-legged. And Brahmadatta king of Kasi lay down, placing his head in Prince Dighavu's lap. So tired was he that in the mere fraction of a moment he fell asleep.

Thereupon to Prince Dighavu occurred the following thought: "This Brahmadatta king of Kasi has done us much injury. He has robbed us of army and vehicles and territory and treasuries and storehouses. And he has killed my mother and father. This would be the very time for me to satisfy my hatred!" And he drew sword from sheath. Then to Prince Dighavu occurred the following thought: "My father said to me in the hour of death: Dighavu, do not look long! Do not look short! For, dear Dighavu, hatreds are not quenched by hatred. Nay rather, dear Dighavu, hatreds are quenched by love.' It is not fitting that I should transgress the command of my father." And he returned sword to sheath. And this happened a second time, and a third time.

Suddenly Brahmadatta king of Kasi rose, frightened, agitated, alarmed, terrified. Thereupon Prince Dighavu said this to Brahmadatta king of Kasi: "Why, your majesty, did you rise so suddenly, frightened, agitated, alarmed, terrified?" "Right here, young man, Prince Dighavu, son of Dighiti king of Kosala, fell upon me with his sword in a dream. Therefore I rose suddenly, frightened, agitated, alarmed, terrified."

Then Prince Dighavu, stroking the head of Brahmadatta king of Kasi with his left hand, and drawing his sword with his right hand, said this to Brahmadatta king of Kasi: "I, your majesty, am Prince Dighavu, son of Dighiti king of Kosala. You have done us much injury. You have robbed us of army and vehicles and territory and treasuries and storehouses. And you have killed my mother and father. This would be the very time for me to satisfy my hatred!"

Thereupon Brahmadatta king of Kasi prostrated himself on his face at the feet of Prince Dighavu, and said this to Prince Dighavu: "Grant me my life, dear Dighavu! Grant me my life, dear Dighavu!" "How have I the power to grant your majesty your life? Your majesty, however, might grant me my life." "Very well, dear Dighavu. You grant me my life, and I will grant you your life." Then Brahmadatta king of Kasi and Prince Dighavu granted each other their lives and shook hands and swore an oath not to injure each other.

Then Brahmadatta king of Kasi said this to Prince Dighavu: "Now then, dear Dighavu, harness the chariot; let us be going." "Yes, your majesty," said Prince Dighavu to Brahmadatta king of Kasi. And having, in obedience to the king's command, harnessed the chariot, he said this to Brahmadatta king of Kasi: "Your majesty, the chariot is harnessed for you; do as you think fit." Thereupon Brahmadatta king of Kasi mounted the chariot; Prince Dighavu drove the chariot. In such wise did he drive the chariot that in no very long time he came up with the army.

Then Brahmadatta king of Kasi entered Benares, caused the ministers of his council to be assembled, and said this: "If, sirs, you were to see Prince Dighavu, son of Dighiti king of Kosala, what would you do to him?" Some spoke thus: "We, your majesty, would cut off his hands." Others spoke thus: "We, your majesty, would cut off his feet." "We would cut off his hands and feet." "We would cut off his ears." "We would cut off his nose." "We would cut off his ears and nose." "We, your majesty, would cut off his head." "Sirs, this is Prince Dighavu, son of Dighiti king of Kosala; it is not permissible to do anything to him. He has granted me my life, and I have granted him his life."

Then Brahmadatta king of Kasi said this to Prince Dighavu: "When, dear Dighavu, your father said to you in the hour of death: 'Dear Dighavu, do not look long! Do not look short! For, dear Dighavu, hatreds are not quenched by hatred. Nay rather, dear Dighavu, hatreds are quenched by love,' what did your father mean by that?" "When, your majesty, my father said to me in the hour of death: 'Not long,' what he meant was: 'Do not cherish hatred long.' This, your majesty, is what my father meant when he said to me in the hour of death: 'Not long.' When, your majesty, my father said to me in the hour of death: 'Not short,' what he meant was: 'Do not break with your friends quickly.' This, your majesty, is what my father meant when he said to me in the hour of death: 'Not short.'

"When, your majesty, my father said to me in the hour of death: 'For, dear Dighavu, hatreds are not quenched by hatred. Nay rather, dear Dighavu, hatreds are quenched by love,' what he meant to have me understand was this: Your majesty has killed my mother and father. Were I to deprive your majesty of life, your majesty's well-wishers would deprive me of life, and my well-wishers would deprive yours of life. Thus that hatred would not be quenched by hatred. But as matters stand, your majesty has granted me my life, and I have granted your majesty his life. Thus hatred has been quenched by love. This, your majesty, is what my father meant when he said to me in the hour of death: 'For, dear Dighavu, hatreds are not quenched by hatred. Nay rather, dear Dighavu, hatreds are quenched by love.'"

Thereupon Brahmadatta king of Kasi exclaimed: "O how wonderful, how marvelous, that this Prince Dighavu should understand in its fulness a matter which his father expressed so briefly!" And he restored to him the army and vehicles and territory and treasuries and storehouses of his fathers, and gave him his daughter in marriage.

"For, monks, of these kings who took the rod, who took the sword, such is said to have been the patience and gentleness. How much more, monks, should you, who have retired from the world under a Doctrine and Discipline so well taught, let your light so shine in this world as to be known of men as patient and gentle." And for the third time the Exalted One said this to those monks: "Enough, monks! No quarreling! No brawling! No contending! No wrangling!"