[92] Now at that time Jīvaka Komārabhacca was sitting in silence not far from King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the Videhan queen. Then King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the Videhan queen, said to Jīvaka Komārabhacca: "But you, friend Jīvaka, why are you silent?"
"Sire, this Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One, is dwelling in my mango grove together with a great Saṅgha of bhikkhus, twelve hundred and fifty bhikkhus. And concerning that Blessed One this fair report of fame has spread abroad: 'Thus indeed is that Blessed One: an Arahant, a Perfectly Enlightened One, accomplished in true knowledge (vijjā) and conduct, a Fortunate One, a knower of the world, the unsurpassed charioteer of persons to be tamed, teacher of gods and humans, an Awakened One, a Blessed One.' Let Your Majesty attend upon that Blessed One. Perhaps, when Your Majesty attends upon the Blessed One, your mind (citta) may find serenity."
"Then, friend Jīvaka, have the elephant-vehicles made ready."
"Yes, sire," Jīvaka Komārabhacca replied to King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the Videhan queen; and having had some five hundred she-elephants made ready, together with the king's riding elephant, he announced to King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the Videhan queen: "Sire, the elephant-vehicles have been made ready for you. Now is the time for whatever you think fit."
Then King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the Videhan queen, having had women mounted, one on each of the five hundred she-elephants, and having himself mounted the riding elephant, set out from Rājagaha with torches borne aloft, in great royal state, and proceeded toward the mango grove of Jīvaka Komārabhacca. Then, when King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the Videhan queen, was not far from the mango grove, there arose in him fear, there arose trembling, there arose horripilation. Then King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the Videhan queen, frightened, agitated, with hair standing on end, said to Jīvaka Komārabhacca: "You are not deceiving me, friend Jīvaka? You are not tricking me, friend Jīvaka? You are not delivering me up to my enemies, friend Jīvaka? For how indeed could there be, from so great a Saṅgha of bhikkhus, twelve hundred and fifty bhikkhus, no sound of sneezing, no sound of coughing, no murmur at all?"
"Do not fear, great king; do not fear, great king. I am not deceiving you, sire; I am not tricking you, sire; I am not delivering you up to your enemies, sire. Go forward, great king; go forward, great king. Those are the lamps burning in the pavilion hall."
Then King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the Videhan queen, went by elephant as far as the ground was passable for the elephant; then, dismounting from the elephant, he approached the door of the pavilion hall on foot, and having approached, he said to Jīvaka Komārabhacca: "But where, friend Jīvaka, is the Blessed One?"
"That, great king, is the Blessed One. The Blessed One is sitting leaning against the middle pillar, facing east, seated before the Saṅgha of bhikkhus."
Then King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the Videhan queen, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he stood to one side. Standing to one side, King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the Videhan queen, surveying the Saṅgha of bhikkhus sitting in utter silence, serene like a limpid lake, breathed out this inspired utterance (udāna): "May my Prince Udayabhadda be endowed with such calm as that with which the Saṅgha of bhikkhus is now endowed!"
"You have gone, great king, where your affection lies."
"Venerable sir, Prince Udayabhadda is dear to me. May my Prince Udayabhadda, venerable sir, be endowed with such calm as that with which the Saṅgha of bhikkhus is now endowed!"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.