The saga of pious Visakha

Tha Dhammapada is an immortal classic of Asia. It consists of the Buddha's utterances. There are 26 vaggas or chapters and there are 423 stanzas or verses. Each verse is woven with a story, which will teach us a moral lesson to improve our character. It is full of similes.

Today, we will select a verse from Danad Vagga (Punishment) the chapter 10 from Dhammapada, relating to the story of some women observing the moral precepts.

The Buddha while residing at Pubbarama monastery, recited the verse given below, with reference to 500 women.

Yatha Dandena Gopalo
Gavo Paieti Gocaram
Evam Jara Ca Maccu Ca
Ayum Pacenti Paninam (10:7)

(Just as a herdsman, with his staff drives his cattle to pasture, so do old age and death drive men towards their end.)

When 500 women of different age groups arrived at Pubbarama, Visakha questioned them why they had come. They gave different answers. The old women said they wanted to perform meritorious deeds to gain riches after death. The middle-aged women said they came to the temple, because they did not want to stay in their homes, with other mistresses of their husbands. The young women wanted their first born child to be a son. The maidens wanted to get married to decent men. Visakha took them to the Buddha and explained what they wanted.

The Buddha said, “Visakha, ageing and death are part of life. They do not realise the truth. They wish to linger on in the awful Samsara. They do not wish for liberate themselves or attain the bliss of Nibbana.”

Visakha was the daughter of Dhananjaya and Sumana Devi. She was born at Bhaddhiya in Anga kingdom. Her grandfather Mendaka, took her to meet the Buddha, when he visited the city. After listening to the Buddha's sermon, she attained the first stage of Sainthood (Sotapatti). After marriage Visakha bore many children. Her husband was Punnavaddhana, the son of Migara.

Their marriage festival was conducted on a grand scale. She was given rich ornaments. Her father Dhananjaya gave her the following admonition. Do not carry outside the indoor fire. Do not take inside the outdoor fire. Give only to those that give. Do not give to those who do not give. Sit happily. Eat happily. Sleep happily.

Tend the fire. Honour the house hold.

She gave birth to 10 sons and ten daughters and died at the ripe age of 120.

-PE