{"collection":"Khuddaka Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_cp22/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_cp22","id":"suttacentral_cp22","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/cp22/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Khuddaka Nikaya"],"text":"\u201cThen again when I was in Indapatta, the capital city, I was a loved and cherished child renowned as Somanassa. I was ethical, full of good qualities, of fine and eloquent speech, honoring elders, conscientious, and expert in the methods of inclusiveness. Now there was this charlatan renunciant who was favored by the king. He made a living by cultivating an orchard and flowering shrubs. Seeing he was a charlatan, like a pile of chaff without grain, like a hollow tree, like a plantain tree with no core, I thought: \u2018There is no good in him, he has strayed from asceticism. He has left the bright qualities of conscience for the sake of making a living.\u2019 Then the borders were in turmoil by wild frontier savages. Before going to put an end to it, my father instructed me: \u2018My dear, do not neglect the matted-hair ascetic of severe penance. He is the granter of our wishes, give him all he desires.\u2019 I went then to serve him, and said the following. \u2018I hope you are well, householder. Is there anything I can bring for you?\u2019 At that he was upset with me, that prideful charlatan. \u2018I\u2019ll have you killed right now! Or banished from the realm!\u2019 After putting an end to the border conflict, the king said to the charlatan, \u2018I hope you\u2019re keeping well, sir, and honors were served you?\u2019 That wicked one told him how the prince deserved execution. When he heard these words, the Lord of the Earth commanded: \u2018Cut off his head right there! Saw his corpse into four pieces! And then show them from street to street: this is the fate of one who shames the ascetic.\u2019 Right away left the punishers\u2014 fierce, violent and pitiless. They dragged me from my mother\u2019s lap and led me away. I said to them as they bound me with tight bonds: \u2018Present me to the king right now, I have an issue for the king!\u2019 They presented me to the king, follower of the wicked one and his wicked ways. On seeing me, I persuaded him and brought him under my influence. He asked for my forgiveness then, and offered me the kingdom. But having burst the darkness asunder, I went forth to homelessness. I did not dislike great kingship, nor did I dislike sensual enjoyment. But because omniscience is precious to me, that is why I forsook kingship.\u201d","title":"Somanassa\u2019s Conduct","tradition":"Khuddaka Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":401}