Chapter 43
Foster mother: ‚Maybe it was another fish that swallowed your child. It is however
true that I got this child from inside a fish.‛
Thus the two mothers each claimed the child as her own. This matter was brought before
the King for decision.
The King of BÈrÈÓasÊ gave his decision as follows: ‚The wife of the merchant of
KosambÊ is the natural mother whose claim to the child is unshakable. On the other hand,
the wife of the merchant of BÈrÈÓasÊ is not groundless in her claim to the child. For, when
one buys fish, it is customary that the entrails of the fish are not taken out by the seller so
that the buyer gets the whole fish. The child she got from inside the fish is legally her
property. The former has her right to the child as a natural mother. The latter has right to
the child as a son by way of a gift. Each is entitled to claim the child, and he is entitled to
inherit from both the families.‛ From that day onwards, both the families enjoyed
unprecedented fortune and fame. And the child was brought up in luxury by both families.
His name was BÈkula KumÈra, BÈkula the son of a merchant.
BÈkula's Luxurious Life
When BÈkula came of age, his two pairs of parents built three mansions each; each for
his seasonal residence at KosambÊ and BÈrÈÓasÊ. He spent only four months at each of the
two cities, attended by a big retinue of entertaining girls. When he moved from one city to
the other at the end of a four-month stay, he travelled in pomp in a grand barge with
dancing girls. The entertaining girls at each city divided the transit period equally between
them, i.e. the sending-off team served on the barge for two months after which they were
relieved (about half-way) by the welcoming team. The merchant's son then spent four
months in great ease and comfort at the each place. He completed eighty years of age
living in that manner.
BÈkula's Bhikkhuhood and Arahatship
When BÈkula was eighty years old, Buddha Gotama had attained Perfect Enlightenment.
After teaching His first discourse, the Dhammacakka, the Buddha toured the country and,
travelling by stages, reached KosambÊ. (According to the reciters of the Majjhima NikÈya,
He reached BÈrÈÓasÊ.) On learning the arrival of the Buddha, the unrivalled type of his
previous meritorious deed prompted BÈkula to go and see the Buddha. Making offerings of
flowers and perfumes to the Buddha, he listened to the His discourse which heightened his
devotion so much that he took up bhikkhuhood. As a
bhikkhu
, he remained a worldling for
seven days only because, at the dawn of the eighth day, he attained arahatship with the
fourfold Analytical Knowledge.
At that time, the former ladies who awaited on him had returned to their parents' homes
in BÈrÈÓasÊ and KosambÊ. They were devoted to the Venerable BÈkula and made robes for
him. He wore their robes in turns; half month using those offered from KosambÊ, another
half month on those from BÈrÈÓasÊ. Besides, the citizens of both the cities made special
offerings to him of whatever fine food or articles which they had.
(c) Etadagga Title achieved
During the eighty years of household life, BÈkula never experienced any ailment, even
for a fleeting moment such as holding a piece of solid unguent and savouring its smell. On
the completion of his eightieth year, he became a
bhikkhu
with great satisfaction and as a
bhikkhu
, he also enjoyed perfect health. Moreover, he was never in want of any of the four
bhikkhu
requisites. Thus, on one occasion, when the Buddha was residing at the Jetavana
monastery in SÈvatthi, in a
bhikkhu
congregation, He declared:
‚EtadaggaÑ bhikkhave mama sÈvakÈnaÑ bhikkh|naÑ appÈbÈdhÈnaÑ
yadidaÑ Bèkulo.‛
‚
Bhikkhus
, among My
bhikkhu
-disciples who enjoy good health, who are free
from disease, Bhikkhu BÈkula is the foremost (
etadagga
).‛