125. The Bhagava was staying at Savatthi. At that time King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi, having organised an army consisting of four elements (i.e., war elephants, war chariots, cavalry and infantry), marched towards a village of Kasi Province to wage war against King Pasenadi of Kosala1. 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. In the battle King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi, defeated King Pasenadi of Kosala. The vanquished King Pasenadi of Kosala retreated to his capital, Savatthi.
Then in the morning, many bhikkhus suitably rearranged their robes, 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 Bhagava 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. 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. 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 Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi, defeated King Pasenadi of Kosala. Venerable Sir, the vanquished King Pasenadi of Kosala retreated to his capital, Savatthi."
"Bhikkhus, King Ajatasattu of Magadha, son of Queen Vedehi, has wicked friends, wicked companions, and a preference for the wicked. And, bhikkhus, King Pasenadi of Kosala has good friends, good companions and a preference for the virtuous. Today, King Pasenadi of Kosala, being the vanquished, will have a miserable night."
The Bhagava said this . . p... (this further utterance):
"The victor begets enmity;
the vanquished has a miserable time.
He who forsakes conquest and defeat alike has peace of mind and lives happily."
End of the Pathama Sangama Sutta
the fourth in this vagga.
1. This village had been given as dowry to Queen Vedehi on her marriage to King Bimbisara of Magadha. After her death, King Pasenadi of Kosala, Vedehi's brother, laid claim to it. King Ajatasattu also claimed it as his mother's property. So it was a dispute between uncle and nephew.
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