Rich Men with Inexhaustible Resources – 2298
“Yes, I could.”
“If so, cry aloud all along your way this message: ‘Kāḷī, daughter of Sumana, the
chief of celestial Devas, wife of Dīghatāla, has given birth to a son!’ There are
seven pots full of gold at the root of this palmyra tree. Take them as your fee.”
The brave woman went her way crying aloud the message: “Kāḷī, daughter of
Sumana, the chief of celestial Devas, wife of Dīghatāla, has given birth to a son!”
Sumana, the chief of celestial Devas heard her cry while presiding over a
meeting of celestial Devas and said to his assistants: “There is a human being
bringing happy tidings. Bring her here.” And so she was brought before Sumana
who thanked her and said: “There are pots full of gold underneath the shade at
noon of the big tree. I give them all to you.”
She went to the criminal on the stake, who had to be fed with her hand. After
taking his meal, when his mouth was wiped clean by the woman, he felt the
feminine touch and bit her knotted hair so as not to let her go. The woman being
courageous, had presence of mind, she cut the hair-knot with her sword and
freed herself.
She reported to the king that she had fulfilled her task. “What proof can you
show that you have actually fed that man?” asked the king. “My hair-knot in the
mouth of that villain should be sufficient proof. But I have further proof too,”
replied Kāḷavaḷiya’s wife and related her meeting with Dīghatāla and Sumana.
The king ordered the pots of gold described by her to be dug up. All were found.
The Kāḷavaḷiya couple became very rich all at once. “Is there anyone as wealthy
as Kāḷavaḷiya?” inquired the king. The ministers said: “There is none, Great
King.” So the king appointed him as Treasurer of Sāvatthī and gave him the
paraphernalia, seal and title of office.
Here Ends the Great Chronicles of the Buddhas
Dated: the 13
th
waxing day of the 1
st
Wazo (
Āsāḷha
), 1331 Mahā Era (1969
CE
).
Completed at 11:00 am
U Vicittasārābhivamsa
Dhammanāda Monastery, Mingun Hill
[1499]
Epilogue
Nine Pāḷi verses and their translation: