The Buddha interprets:

King Pasenadi's 16 dreams

by Premasara Epasinghe

A dream can be defined as a sequence of scenes and feelings occurring in the mind during your sleep. It is your sub-conscious mind that is reacting. There are ideas and practices based on the belief that certain events cannot be explained by human reason or physical laws, irrational fear of what is unknown or mysterious is known as superstition.

The people who believe in superstitions sometimes come to the conclusion that dreams they see come true.

What is a bad dream? It is a situation that is unpleasant.

In Buddhist literature, King Pasenadi Kosala's 16 dreams are well known. He is the titular head of a kingdom once in East India. He was a just ruler, respected by his subjects. He was an ardent beneficiary and supporter of the Buddha.

In fact, he was so close to the Buddha that he sometimes sought advice on various issues, both personal as well as matters relating to politics.

One night, Pasenadi Kosala had a series of dreams.

He woke up in fright, shaken up, as what the dreams might portend. Some people sometimes do not remember the dreams they see. But in the case of King Pasenadi Kosala, he remembered the 16 dreams clearly.

As the king was very upset, he immediately summoned his ministers and asked for advice.

Opportunity

A crafty minister, realising that its a good opportunity to be in his good books advised that the dreams would bring three calamities to the kingdom, and the king himself.

The minister said that the only way to save the kingdom and the king's life was to sacrifice one thousand animals to god.

On the following day thousands of animals, birds and other creatures were brought to the courtyard.

When Queen Mallika saw the unusual sight she asked the king to consult the Buddha and seek his advice.

Meeting the Buddha, the king explained the dreams one by one.

“Ven Sir, in my first dream, I saw four black bulls entering the royal courtyard with the intention of fighting. The bulls only made a show, bellowed, went away and the onlookers were badly disappointed.

Then I saw tiny trees and shrubs. There were flowers and fruits. Then, in the next dream, I saw cows sucking milk from calves herd of oxen was trying to pull carts, I was carrying a golden bowl filled with “Kahavanu” and a jackal urinated into the bowl. Sir, can you believe in the next one, a man was weaving a rope and a she-jackal was eating it. Very strange, in my next dream, I saw a big water tank filled to the brim and people pouring water. Then, there was a pond overgrown with five kind of lotuses.

Frogs

“In my next dream, I saw a pot with rice boiling and in the other an empty pumpkin sinking in water. Further, I saw large palaces and houses floating and frogs chasing black snakes.

“In my 15th dream, I saw a crow with a golden sheer in the company of many black crows. In my final dream, I saw goats chasing a panther.

Sir, will there be any bad effects for my life and my kingdom?

The Buddha said, “In the future after many years of your reign, there will be weak rulers.

“Even the religious leaders will leave the kingdom. Great king, by animal sacrifices or killing animals and birds, problems cannot be solved. The kings and ministers should be the ones who should light up their lives, by systematic planning and with kindness and compassion ushering in peace and prosperity. People should be united, always putting country before self. There are absolutely no bad effects on your life or your kingdom" stated the Buddha. Then the Buddha recited:

Devo Vassatu Kalena,
Sassa Sampatthi Hotucha,
Phito Bhavatu Lococa,
Raja Bhavatu Dhammiko.
(May the rain fall in due season,

May there be rich harvest,
May the world prosper,
May the ruler/king be righteous)