Visakha - an epitome of womanhood

by Premasara EPASINGHE

In Buddhist literature, Mahamaya (mother), Prajapati Gothami (step-mother) and Yasodhara (wife), the relatives of the greatest son of India, Prince Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, occupy, pride of place among womanhood.

Among the female benefactresses of Buddhism, the noble Visakha plays an important role. In her Samsaric journey, she accumulated much merit and was born to rich nobility during Gautama Buddha's time.

Visakha was undoubtedly an epitome of womanhood. Her life is a perfect example and a role-model for our womenfolk. Therefore, an indepth study of Visakha's exemplary life and disciplined moral character will be a valuable guidance to the Buddhist womenfolk, even today.

Due to her past meritorious acts, she was born rich. She was pleasant, beautiful and possessed a charming personality. She became a chief benefactress of Buddha. She was extremely intelligent and attained the first of the four stages, sotapanna at the tender age of seven years.

Yathapi puppharasimha

Kayira malagune bahu

Evain jatena maccena

Kattabbain kusalain bahum

- Dhammapada Verse 53 (Puppha Vagga - Flowers)

(As from a heap of flowers many a garland is made, even so, many good deeds should be done by one born a mortal).

Past aspiration

The above stanza or verse in the Treasury of Truth Dhammapada uttered by the Blessed One was woven round Visakha, the chief benefactress of Gautama Buddha. She erected a monastery named Pubbarama or Purvarama. So great was her delight, with her 10 sons and 10 daughters and her grandchildren, Visakha went round the monastery singing paeans or song of praise of joy. When this was reported to the Buddha, He said that Visakha was doing so as she had fulfilled a past aspiration.

She was a charming, pleasant and majestic lady. On the day of her marriage, her father, a multi-millionaire presented her a Meghapalandanawa, a beautiful ornament or necklace, studded with diamonds and gold to wear on the important day of the wedding. Later, she wore it on important occasions. Before entering the Chambers of the Blessed One, with a retinue of 500 ladies, as a mark of respect to Gautama Buddha, she removed the bejewelled ornament worth about Rs. 8 billion and handed it over to her domestic, who accompanied her.

One day, the domestic forgot to take back the ornament, (Meghapalandanawa) placed at the temple premises where the Blessed One resided. Ven. Ananda Thera on seeing the valuable ornament, decided to present it to Visakha, on the following day, when she visited the Buddha. When, Ven. Ananda Thera handed back to Visakha the Meghapalandanawa. Vishaka returned it to Ven. Ananda Thera. She decided to sell it by auction and as there were no buyers she bought it.

No buyers

There were no buyers to purchase Visakha's Meghapalandanawa as it was valued at more than Rs. 8 billion. Visakha purchased her own ornament and later she constructed the Pubbarama or Purvarama and presented it to Gautama Buddha. It was so beautiful, and resembles a heavenly abode.

Visakha was a daughter of a multi-millionaire, one of the richest individuals residing at Bhaddhiya, in the City of Saketha, namely Dhananjaya. His wife was Sumanadevi and granddaughter of Mendaka, one of the five wealthy men of King Bimbisara's Kingdom.

When Visakha was seven years the Buddha visited Bhaddiya. On that occasion, Mendaka took Visakha and her five-hundred female companions with him to pay homage to the Enlightened One.

After listening to a sermon delivered by the Buddha, Visakha, her grandfather and her five-hundred companions attained Sotapanna, - "Stream enterer", the first stages toward the realisation of liberation, leading to Arahantship. Arahants are no longer subject to re-birth in Samsara, the cycle of birth and death.

Visakha was a Panchakalyani. The blue - blooded, rich damsel Visakha during her childhood used to participate in competitive swimming meets.

Once there was a gala swimming meet in Bandiya in the City of Saketha. Many tourists and a number of scholars, Brahmins and diplomats witnessed the swimming competition. There were eight emissaries of the King of Majedha as special guests. They were present to select a beautiful girl to partner one of the richest young men called Purnawardhana.

Prior to the commencement of the swimming meet, the girl competitors started running hither and thither and entered the pavilion. But, there was one pretty girl like a divine damsel,who never got excited and ran away.

Unperturbed, she walked without excitement. The Brahmins were impressed with her cool temperament, and manners. They proposed the rich "Situ" - Purnayawardhana in marriage to her.

Visakha, told the Brahmins that they should discuss the matter with her parents and if they are agreeable only that she would give her consent.

Wedding arranged

Everything went well. The Brahmins won the day. The wedding between Purnawardhana and Visakha was the most glamorous event of the year. The King, his Ministers, the royalty and VIPs of the city attended the wedding. Visakha's parents gave a big dowry, which included 1,000 chariots, 1,000 elephants and 1,000 horses, 1,000 male domestics, 1,000 female domestics and a million Kahavanu.

Visakha's father Dhananjaya advised her to look after her father-in-law, mother-in-law and domestics with a kind and compassionate heart.

One day when Visakha's father-in-law Migara was partaking his meals (lunch), a Bhikkhu on his normal round of begging for alms, arrived at their beautiful mansion. She knew that her father-in-law Migara, a believer of Jainism, did not encourage giving alms to Bhikkhus.

Visakha on seeing the Bhikkhu said "I am sorry, Venerable Sir, my father-in-law only eats leftovers.

(Puranayak Anubawa - Karanawa - Purana means leftovers).

On hearing this Migara lost his temper and flew into a rage. He asked her to leave the house. But Visakha said she was not going away and she would send for the eight elderly rich Brahmins who were sent by her father to accompany her and to advise her. It was for them to decide whether she was guilty or not.

Elders decide

The elders decided that Visakha was not guilty. Visakha said that she had absolute and unshakable faith in the teachings of the Buddha, and so would not stay where the Bhikkhus were not welcome, and that if she was not given permission to invite the Bhikkus to the house to offer dana - alms and other offerings, she would leave the house.

Migara was very upset over the incident and realised his grave mistake. He apologised to Visakha and granted permission to invite the Blessed One and the Bhikkhus to their mansion. The following day, the Buddha and His disciples were invited to Visakha's house for alms. She sent word to her father-in-law Migara to join her.

Ascetic Niganthas never allowed him to attend the almsgiving. They persuaded him to listen to the Buddha's discourse from behind a curtain.

After hearing the Buddha's discourse, Migara attained the state of Sotapatti and thanked the Buddha and his daughter-in-law profusely. Thereafter her father-in-law Migara treated her like a mother, and Visakha came to be known as Migaramatha.

Flowers into garlands

The verse Yathapi puppharasimha referred to earlier is very interesting. It means that the craftsmanship of the garland maker is compared to those who led a virtuous life. One's life activity is compared to a mass of flowers. It is the duty of every person to arrange these flowers into garlands of wholesome actions.

This verse gives all of us a very strong message. Life is not a bed of roses, but a flower bed that grows beautiful flowers. The purpose of life, therefore, is to make beautiful garlands out of these flowers that beautify the world.

The lesson that we can learn from this Dhammapada verse (Given at the beginning of the article) makes best use of our temporal and mortal life is to do good deeds that brings happiness to every one. Buddhists are not pessimists. A person who expects the worst to happen, very often laments constantly about the thorn in the roses.

From the story of Visakha, what we learned is to make the best use of what is good in the world, to make it even better.