6.
The Discourse on Mallikā
127.
At Sāvatthī.
Then King Pasenadi of Kosala approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Then a certain man approached King Pasenadi of Kosala;
having approached, he whispered to King Pasenadi of Kosala:
"Mallikā, Sire, the queen has given birth to a daughter."
When this was said, King Pasenadi of Kosala was displeased.
Then the Blessed One, having understood that King Pasenadi of Kosala was displeased, at that time spoke these verses:
"Indeed, a woman, O lord of people, may be better than a man;
Wise, virtuous, revering her mother-in-law as a god, devoted to her husband.
"The son born to her becomes a hero, a lord of the land;
The son of such a fortunate woman may even rule a kingdom."