Chapter 2: Life in the Palace
When the Pure White King's family welcomed the birth of the holy prince, His relatives, the young nobles, and all his ministers were loyal and virtuous. Elephants, horses, jeweled carriages, the nation's wealth, and the seven treasures Increased day by day, gathering in abundance as needed. Countless hidden treasures emerged naturally from the earth. In the pure snow mountains, herds of wild white elephants Arrived unbidden, untamed yet naturally subdued. Various multicolored horses, their forms exceptionally majestic, With red manes and slender, long tails, leaped and galloped like the wind. Even those born in the wild arrived naturally at the right time. Pure-colored, gentle cattle, plump and well-formed, With smooth steps and rich, fragrant milk, gathered like clouds when needed. Those who bore grudges found peace in their hearts, The moderate grew more sincere, the faithful grew closer, And all turmoil and rebellion were eliminated. Gentle breezes and timely rains came, thunder did not crack violently. Crops were planted without waiting for seasons, and harvests were doubly abundant. The five grains were fresh, fragrant, and delicious, light and easy to digest. All who were pregnant felt at ease, their bodies harmonious and comfortable. Except for those who upheld the four holy practices, all other people in the world Had their livelihoods naturally provided, with no thought of seeking more. There was no arrogance, no stinginess or jealousy, nor any malice or harmful intent. All men and women were united, as in the earliest age of the world. Temples, monasteries, gardens, forests, wells, springs, and ponds— All things were like heavenly objects, appearing naturally when needed. Throughout the land, there was no hunger, warfare, or epidemic diseases. Among the people of the kingdom, relatives loved and respected one another. They delighted in the love of the Dharma, without giving rise to defiled desires. They sought wealth through righteous means, free from greedy intentions. They practiced generosity for the sake of the Dharma, without expecting anything in return. They cultivated the four Brahmavihāras, eliminating malice and harmful thoughts. In the past, when King Manu gave birth to Prince Sunlight, The entire kingdom was blessed with auspiciousness, and all evils ceased at once. Now, as the king gives birth to a prince, his virtue is likewise. Fully endowed with all virtues, he is named Siddhārtha. At that time, Queen Māyā, seeing the child she had borne— Upright and handsome like a heavenly youth, complete with all beauties— Was overcome with excessive joy and passed away, reborn in heaven. Mahāprajāpatī Gautamī, seeing the prince like a heavenly youth, With virtue and appearance unparalleled in the world, and his mother having passed away, Raised him as her own son, and the prince respected her as his mother. Just as the sun, moon, and firelight gradually brighten from dimness, So the prince grew day by day, his virtue and appearance likewise flourishing. Priceless sandalwood fragrance, the renowned treasure of Jambūnada gold, Divine medicines for protection, and jeweled ornaments adorned his body. Vassal states and neighboring kingdoms, hearing of the king's newborn prince, Presented rare treasures, cattle, sheep, deer, horses, carriages, Precious vessels, and adornments to please the prince's heart. Though there were many decorations and toys for the infant prince, The prince's nature was calm and dignified, young in body but mature in mind. His mind dwelled in lofty, sublime realms, untainted by glory and splendor. He studied various arts and skills, mastering them upon first hearing, surpassing his teachers. His father, seeing his intelligence and deep contemplation beyond worldly concerns, Sought widely among renowned and noble families, those of refined customs and propriety. A maiden of graceful appearance, named Yaśodharā, Was chosen as the prince's consort, to guide and retain his heart. The prince's aspirations were lofty, his virtue abundant, his appearance pure and bright, Like the eldest son of Brahmā, Śanakumāra. The virtuous consort, with her beautiful appearance and elegant, graceful form, Radiant like a heavenly queen, shared days and nights of joy with him. A pure palace was built for them, grand and exquisitely adorned, Towering in the sky, distant like autumn clouds, With warmth and coolness suited to the four seasons, a pleasant dwelling at all times. Surrounded by female musicians, playing harmonious heavenly music, They avoided impure sights and sounds, Lest they give rise to weariness with the world. Like the Gandharvas in heaven, With naturally appearing jeweled palaces and heavenly maidens playing divine music, Their sights and sounds dazzled the eyes and heart; the Bodhisattva in his lofty palace Enjoyed music in the same way. His father, for the prince's sake, Maintained a tranquil life, cultivating pure virtue, Governed with benevolence and righteous Dharma, Drawing close to the virtuous and distancing himself from evil companions, His heart untainted by attachment, viewing desires as poisonous, Restraining emotions and guarding the senses, Eliminating frivolous and restless thoughts, With a gentle countenance, he listened well to disputes, Teaching with compassion to satisfy the people's hearts. He instructed various external paths, Cutting off schemes and rebellious arts, Teaching methods to benefit the world, Bringing peace and happiness to all people. "Just as my son is at peace, So too are all the people," he thought. He tended the sacred fire, honored the gods, Joined his palms and drank the moonlight. Bathing his body in the Ganges' waters, Cleansing his heart with the Dharma's waters, Seeking blessings not for himself, But for his son and all the people. Loving words were not without meaning, Meaningful words were not without love, Loving words were not untrue, True words were not without love. Because of a sense of shame, He could not speak the full truth; In matters of love and non-love, He did not act from greed or anger. His mind inclined toward silence, Impartial, ending disputes, Not considering sacrificial ceremonies Superior to the merit of resolving matters. Seeing the many who sought, He gave generously beyond their hopes, His heart free from thoughts of conflict, Subduing enemies with virtue. Harmonizing one and protecting seven, Abandoning seven and restraining five, Attaining three and understanding three, Knowing two and relinquishing two. Seeking the truth to find fault, Showing mercy even to those deserving death, Not uttering harsh words, But instructing with gentle speech, Generously providing material goods, Guiding them to livelihoods, Learning the path of the immortals, Eliminating resentment and malice, His renowned virtue spread far and wide, While worldly evils faded away. The ruler cultivated bright virtue, And all under heaven followed his example, Just as when the mind is calm, The body and senses follow accordingly. At that time, Prince Pure White And his virtuous consort Yaśodharā Gradually grew older, And she gave birth to Rāhula. King Pure White thought to himself, "The prince has now borne a son, Continuing the lineage through generations, Upholding righteous rule without end. Since the prince has a son, His love for his child is like mine; He will no longer consider leaving home, But will strive to cultivate goodness. My heart is now greatly at ease, No different from the joy of being born in heaven, Like the path dwelled upon By the immortal kings at the beginning of the age." He practiced loving deeds of purity, Performed sacrifices without harming life, Burning with the cultivation of sublime deeds, The king's excellence, the excellence of Brahmacarya. His lineage and treasures were excellent, His courage and skills were excellent, Radiantly illuminating the world, Like the sun with its thousand lights. The reason for being a king Was to bring glory to his son; Glory for the son meant glory for the lineage, A renowned lineage brought fame, High fame led to birth in heaven, Birth in heaven meant joy attained, Attained joy increased wisdom, Awakening to the path and expanding the true Dharma, First excelling in fame and renown, Then practicing all wondrous paths. He only wished that the prince, Loving his son, would not abandon home. All kings whose sons were still young Did not let them rule the kingdom, Fearing their hearts would grow lax, Indulging in worldly pleasures, Unable to continue the royal line. Now the king, having a prince, Allowed him to indulge in the five desires, Hoping only for worldly glory, Not wishing him to pursue the path. Past Bodhisattva kings, Though their paths were deep and firm, First experienced worldly glory and pleasure, Bore sons to continue the lineage, And only then entered the forests, To practice the path of silence.