5.
The Second Battle Discourse
126.
Then King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha, having arrayed the fourfold army, marched against King Pasenadi of Kosala towards Kāsi.
King Pasenadi of Kosala heard -
"King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha, it seems, having arrayed the fourfold army, has marched against me towards Kāsi."
Then King Pasenadi of Kosala, having arrayed the fourfold army, marched out to meet King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha towards Kāsi.
Then King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha and King Pasenadi of Kosala fought a battle.
In that battle, King Pasenadi of Kosala defeated King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha, and captured him alive.
Then this occurred to King Pasenadi of Kosala -
"Although this King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha is treacherous to one who is not treacherous, and yet he is my nephew.
What if I were to confiscate the entire elephant corps, confiscate the entire cavalry, confiscate the entire chariot corps, confiscate the entire infantry of King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha, and release him alive."
Then King Pasenadi of Kosala, having confiscated the entire elephant corps, having confiscated the entire cavalry, having confiscated the entire chariot corps, having confiscated the entire infantry of King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha, released him alive.
Then several monks, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, taking their bowls and robes, entered Sāvatthī for almsfood. Having walked for almsfood in Sāvatthī, after the meal, having returned from their alms round, they approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, those monks said this to the Blessed One -
"Here, venerable sir, King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha, having arrayed the fourfold army, marched against King Pasenadi of Kosala towards Kāsi. King Pasenadi of Kosala heard, venerable sir - 'King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha, it seems, having arrayed the fourfold army, has marched against me towards Kāsi.' Then, venerable sir, King Pasenadi of Kosala, having arrayed the fourfold army, marched out to meet King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha towards Kāsi. Then, venerable sir, King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha and King Pasenadi of Kosala fought a battle. In that battle, venerable sir, King Pasenadi of Kosala defeated King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha, and captured him alive. Then, venerable sir, this occurred to King Pasenadi of Kosala - 'Although this King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha is treacherous to one who is not treacherous, and yet he is my nephew. What if I were to confiscate the entire elephant corps, the entire cavalry, the entire chariot corps, the entire infantry of King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha, and release him alive.'"
"Then, venerable sir, King Pasenadi of Kosala, having confiscated the entire elephant corps, having confiscated the entire cavalry, having confiscated the entire chariot corps, having confiscated the entire infantry of King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha, released him alive." Then the Blessed One, having understood this matter, at that time spoke these verses -
When others plunder him, the plundered one is plundered.
But when evil ripens, then he undergoes suffering.
The reviler obtains reviling, and the one who irritates, an irritator;
Then by the turning of action, the plunderer is plundered."