Prince Nanda was the step-brother of the Prince Siddhartha. When he was thirty-five years old King Suddhodana wished to give him Prince Siddhartha’s place in the palace, marry him to Princess Janapada Kalyani and let him live in a separate palace. The king wished to have all these festivals on the same day and waited for the Buddha to return to Kapilavatthu and bless Nanda and Janapada Kalyani. On the third day after the Buddha’s return to Kapilavatthu he made all the arrangements for the festivals and invited the Buddha to attend the wedding. The Buddha went there, had lunch, blessed all of them and handed His begging bowl to Nanda and went away.
Nanda thought,
“The Lord Buddha will take the bowl at the door step.”
But the Buddha went straight on without taking the bowl. Then Nanda thought,
“He will take it at the palace gate.”
His bride, Janapada Kalyani, also saw Nanda following the Buddha and thought,
“My husband may be going to the temple to send the Buddha off.”
Then she said,
“Darling, don’t be late, return quickly.”
When Prince Nanda went to the temple to return the bowl the Buddha asked him,
“Nanda, do you like to be a monk?”
“Yes, Sir.”
said Nanda and the Buddha ordained him. But Nanda was afterwards very sad and unhappy. He was always thinking of his beautiful bride. Other monks saw him very sad and asked Nanda,
“Why are you so sad, Nanda?”
“Brothers, I am disappointed. I do not like this monk’s life. I want to leave it and go home.”
was Nanda’s reply.
They went and reported this matter to the Buddha. The Buddha showed him a charred she-monkey and then some fairies and asked him,
“Nanda, which is more beautiful and charming – your noble wife or these fairies?”
“Venerable Sir, Janapada Kalyani is like the charred she-monkey when compared to these fairies who are more beautiful and charming.”
“Cheer up, Nanda, I guarantee that you will possess them if you work hard as I tell you.”
“In that case I shall take the greatest pleasure in living the monk’s life.”
said Nanda and began to follow the Buddha’s teaching very carefully and in a short time he realized the Truth of life destroying all kinds of desires and became so wise and holy that he did not want to go home any more.
