5. Dutiya Sangama Sutta Discourse on the Second Battle Dutiya Vagga, Kosala Samyutta, Sagatha Vagga Samyutta, Samyutta Nikaya, Suttanta Pitaka SOURCE: "FIVE SAMYUTTAS FROM SAGATHAVAGGA SAMYUTTA" Translated by U Tin U (Myaung), Yangon Edited by the Editorial Committee, Burma (Myanmar) Tipitaka Association, 1998

      126. At that time, King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi, having organised an army consisting of four elements, marched towards a village of Kasi Province to wage war against King Pasenadi of Kosala. King Pasenadi of Kosala learned that King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi having organised an army consisting of four elements, was marching towards a village of Kasi Province to wage war against him. He (also) organised an army consisting of four elements and marched towards the village of Kasi to defend it against King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi. Then there took place a battle between King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi, and King Pasenadi of Kosala.¹

      In the battle King Pasenadi of Kosala defeated King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi, and captured him alive. It then occurred to King Pasenadi of Kosala thus: "This King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi, has actually wronged me whom he should not wrong. Yet, after all, he is my own nephew. What if I were to seize all the war elephants, all the cavalry, all the war chariots, and all the infantry of King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi, but let him go free alive".

      Then, King Pasenadi of Kosala seized all the war elephants, all the cavalry, all the war chariots, and all the infantry of King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi, and let him go free alive.

      Then in the morning, many bhikkhus, suitably rearranged the robes they were wearing, and carrying alms-bowl and great robe entered Savatthi for alms-food. After going round Savatthi for alms-food and having had their meal, they left the place of alms-gathering and went to the Bhagava. They made obeisance to the bhagav and sat down at a suitable place. Then, they said to the Bhagava thus:

      "Venerable Sir, King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi, having organised an army consisting of four elements, marched towards a village of Kasi Province to wage war against King Pasenadi of Kosala. Venerable Sir, King Pasenadi of Kosala learned that King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi, having organised an army consisting of four elements, was marching towards a village of Kasi Province to wage war against him. Venerable Sir, he (also) organised an army consisting of four elements and marched towards the village of Kasi to defend it against King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi. Then Venerable Sir, there took place a battle between King ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi and King Pasenadi of Kosala. Venerable Sir, in the battle King Pasenadi of Kosala defeated King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi, who was captured alive. Venerable Sir, it then occurred to King Pasenadi of Kosala thus: "This King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi, has actually wronged me whom he should not wrong. Yet, after all, he is my own nephew. What if I were to seize his whole army of elephants, chariots, cavalry and infantry, but let him go free alive"

      "Then, Venerable Sir, King Pasenadi of Kosala seized all the war elephants, all the cavalry, all the war chariots, and all the infantry of King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi, and let him go free alive."

      Then the Bhagava knowing this matter, uttered these verses at that time:

"A man oppresses another to the extent he can do so. When others oppress him, that oppressor becomes the oppressed.

So long as his wickedness has not brought forth the evil fruit, the fool believes his acts are well justified. But when the evil deed bears fruit he falls into grief.

One who destroys another will meet with one who destroys him.

One who defeats another will meet with one who defeats him.

One who abuses another will meet with one who abuses him.

One who insults another will meet with one who insults him.

And when the cycle of action produces its affect that oppressor becomes the oppressed."

End of the Dutiya Sangama Sutta,

The fifth in this vagga.

      1. In a footnote in the official Pali text of the Sixth Synod it is noted that this paragraph should begin with the words 'Then, King Pasenadi of Kosala, organising an army consisting of four elements, took the offensive against King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi' instead of the present beginning.