Buddha in Ayodhya-II

Marriage of Visakha

During the time of Buddha, King Pasenadi was the ruler of Kosal mahajanpada. He had a treasurer named Migara. When Migara’s son Punnavaddhana attained the age of marriage, many marriage proposals were received. However, Punnavaddhana said no to all of them. At last Migara asked his son if he had a girl in his mind? Punnavaddhan replied that he would agree for marriage only if the girl possessed the Five Beauties.

Migara deputed eight Brahmins to search for a girl with the Five Beauties. After searching for a long time, the Brahmins met Vishakha, daughter of Dhananjaya the richest merchant of Saketa. Visakha was a blessed child who became sotapanna at the age of seven. She possessed the Five Beauties. When Brahmins approached Dhananjaya, he consented to the marriage of Visakha. After all, Migara was the treasurer of Kosala. Subsequently, Brahmins informed Migara about Visakha. Being a follower of Nigantha, Migara hesitated for a while. He feared disapproval from Jain monks for a Buddhist girl. However, he finally agreed for marriage for the happiness of his son.

The marriage of Punnavaddhan with Visakha was celebrated on a grand scale at Saketa. The celebration was attended by King Pasenadi with his retinue. After the ceremony, Dhananjaya asked Visakha for the observance of the following Ten Injunctions: The indoor fire is not to be carried outside; the outdoor fire is not to be carried inside; give only to him that gives; give not to him that gives not; give both to him that gives, and to him that gives not; sit happily; eat happily; sleep happily; tend the fire; honor the household divinities. When Dhananjaya was instructing Visakha on the Ten Injunctions, Migara overheard it couldn’t comprehend. Migara became skeptical but kept quiet for the occasion. Dhananjaya then appointed eight sponsors for Visakha and directed them to try her in case any charges were brought against her. King Pasenadi, treasurer Migara, and retinue left Saketa with lasting memories of the celebration.

When Visakha reached Savatthi, her mare gave birth to a foal the same night. She went to the stable and gave a bath to her mare. However, her compassion for animals didn’t go well with Migara. It aggravated when the Naked Ascetics of the Jain Order learned that Visakha is the follower of Buddha. The rivalry between Buddhist and Jain Orders was at peak on those days. The fear of Migara proved right; Jain monks expressed their disapproval for Visakha. Migara somehow pacified the Jain monks and invited them for a meal. It was the first encounter of Visakha with Jain monks. She innocuously remarked that they are eating “stale fare”. Migara overheard the remark and lost his temper. He asked Visakha to vacate the house immediately. Visakha protested and claimed the right of being tried before her eight sponsors.

The next day, the sponsors were summoned. Migara brought three charges against Visakha: first, she has accused Jain monks of eating what is unclean; second, she left the house at night; and third, she had performed the work of menials. Visakha proved her innocence on the first charge by explaining her remarks on Jain monks. What she meant was that Jain monks were living on stale merit instead of acquiring fresh merit. Next, she informed them that she left the house at night out of her compassion for the animal. All the charges were thus dropped.

Migara then asked Visakha to explain the meaning of the Ten Injunctions. Visakha explains to them as follows: " The indoor fire is not to be carried outside," means that a wife must say nothing about the faults of her father-in-law or her husband. " The outdoor fire is not to be carried inside," means that a wife must not tell her father-in-law or her husband anything ill she hears of them." Give only to him that gives," means that one should give only to those that return borrowed articles." Give not to him that gives not," means that one should not give to those that do not return borrowed articles." Give both to him that gives, and to him that gives not," means that when poor folk seeks assistance, one should give to them, whether or not they can repay. "Sit happily," means that a wife must not remain sitting when she sees her husband or his parents. "Eat happily," means that a wife must not eat until she has served her husband and his parents. "Sleep happily," means that a wife must not go to bed in advance of her husband and his parents. "Tend the fire," means that a wife must reverence her husband and his parents as a flame of fire. “Honor the household divinities," means that a wife must look upon her husband and his parents as her divinities. Thereupon Migara, finding no fault in Visakha, apologized to her.

Once cleared of all the charges, Visakha told Migara that now she intended to leave his house. Remorseful Migara pleaded Visakha to change her decision. Visakha consented to his request on a condition that she would be allowed to entertain the Buddha. Consequently, Migara invited Buddha for a meal. After the meal, Buddha taught the Dhamma and Migara and his wife became a sotapanna.