The Bhikṣuṇī Maṇimēkhalai

167 - Sutamatī and the Kind Bhikṣu
‘My king possessed of all good qualities by nature, the object of all
good qualities without diminution, having learned by experience
various kinds of life in this world, took it upon himself to use his life
not for the attainment of his own salvation, but for the exercise of
kindness to things living, in order that the whole mass of living beings
might attain to that salvation. Thus turning the wheel of the law, he
conquered desire. Excepting his beautiful feats and their celebration,
I have given up using my tongue for anything else. May you prosper,
oh excellent Prince. This in brief is my history!’
Having understood her history, the prince took leave of her, giving
her his mind that he would still gain the heart of Maṇimēkhalai
through her grandmother Chitrāpatī, and went away from the garden.
Maṇimēkhalai came out from the crystal chamber fixing her eyes
upon the Prince, and told Sutamatī:–
‘My heart runs after the Prince, stranger though he is to me, and
notwithstanding the fact that he described me as possessed of no
virtue, as having no right knowledge for the performance of penance,
not having the protection of caste, and liable to be purchased for a
price. Instead of feeling angry that he should have thus described me
contemptuously, how is it that my heart yearns for him? Is this the
nature of what is called Love? If that is so, may it be destroyed.’
Thus saying the two stood for a while where they were. [124]
Just then there appeared in the guise of a lady of the city, the goddess
Maṇimēkhalā, with a view to witnessing the celebration of the great
festival just then taking place in the city. She went round the pavilion
containing the seat of the Buddha, reciting the following laudation:–