The Dharani Sutra of The Buddha on Longevity, The Extinction of Offences and The Protection of Young Children: 13 of 33

At that time, The King Prasenajit was at the palace. At about midnight, he heard a lady crying aloud. She was so sorrowful that her uncontrollable cries almost disturbed the heavens. So he gave rise to the following thought, “My Inner Palace is supposed to be free from all happenings. But why is there such a sorrowful cry? What has happened?”

In the morning, King Prasenajit immediately sent people to all roads and lanes in search of the lady who was grief-stricken. The King’s messenger found the lady and brought her back to the palace. The lady was so shocked and startled that she lost her breath and fainted. King Prasenajit ordered people to sprinkle some water on her face. Gradually she recovered.

The Great King asked her, “Last night, someone was crying so sorrowfully and loudly. Could it be you?” The lady answered, “Yes, Indeed it was I who cried so sadly.” The Great King asked, “Why were you crying in such great pain and sorrows? Who has bullied you?”

The lady answered, “I cried in pain as I was grief-stricken with anger and hatred. In fact, no one has bullied me. May the Great King listen to my story. I married when I was fourteen years old. During the thirty years of marriage, I have given birth to thirty children. Everyone of my children was extremely lovely. They were born with reddish lips and jade-like white teeth. Everyone was cute and active. They were like the flowers in Spring.”

“I love them as though they are the pearls on my palm. They are indeed my heart, liver, brain and marrow. I value them more than my own life. But everyone of them left me for they all died at a young age.”

“Now, there remains the last one. He is about one year old. He is indeed my only hope in life. But he is so sick. I am afraid that he too will leave me soon. That is why I could no longer control myself last night and I cried in great pain!”