Dhammapada Verse 171
Abhayarajakumara Vatthu
Etha passathimam lokam
cittam rajarathupamam
yattha bala visidanti
nattbi sango vijanatam.
Verse 171: Come, look at this world (i.e., the five khandhas), which is like
an ornamented royal carriage. Fools flounder in this world of the khandhas, but
the wise are not attached to it.
The Story of Prince Abhaya
While residing at the Veluvana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (71) of
this book, with reference to Prince Abhaya (Abhayarajakumara).
On one occasion, Prince Abhaya triumphantly returned after suppressing a
rebellion at the frontier. King Bimbisara was so pleased with him that for seven
days, Abhaya was given the glory and honour of a ruler, together with a dancing
girl to entertain him. On the last day, while the dancer was entertaining the
prince and his company in the garden, she had a severe stroke; she collapsed and
died on the spot. The prince was shocked and very much distressed. Sorrowfully,
he went to the Buddha to find solace. To him the Buddha said, "O prince,
the tears you have shed all through the round of rebirths cannot be measured.
This world of aggregates (i.e., khandhas) is the place where fools
flounder."
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
| Verse 171: Come, look at this world (i.e., the five
khandhas), which is like an ornamented royal carriage. Fools flounder
in this world of the khandhas, but the wise are not attached to it.
|