1: King Ajatasattu

Thus I heard:
At one time the Gracious One was living near Ràjagaha on the Vultures' Peak Mountain. ⁰¹

Now at that time the Magadhan King Ajàtasattu, ⁰² the son of Lady Wisdom, had a desire to attack the Vajjians. ⁰³ He said this: ßI will annihilate these Vajjians, who are so successful, so powerful, I will destroy the Vajjians, I will bring about the downfall and destruction of the Vajjiansû.

Then the Magadhan King Ajàtasattu, the son of Lady Wisdom, ⁰⁴ addressed the Magadhan chief minister the brahmin Vassakàra, (saying): ⁰⁵

ßGo, brahmin, and approach the Gracious One, and after approaching worship the Gracious One's feet in my name, and ask whether he is free from sickness, free from illness, in good health, and living comfortably, (and say): `The Magadhan King Ajàtasattu, the son of Lady Wisdom, reverend Sir, worships with his head at the Gracious One's feet, and asks whether you are free from sickness, free from illness, in good health, and living comfortably.'

And say this: `The Magadhan King Ajàtasattu, the son of Lady Wisdom, reverend Sir, desires to attack the Vajjians. He says this: ßI will annihilate these Vajjians, who are so successful, so powerful, I will destroy the Vajjians, I will bring about the downfall and destruction of the Vajjians.û And just what the Gracious One says to you, after learning it well, you must inform me, for the Realised Ones do not speak falsely.û

ßVery well, dear Sir,û and the Magadhan chief minister the brahmin Vassakàra, after replying to the Magadhan King Ajàtasattu, the son of Lady Wisdom, and having (many) great and august vehicles prepared, and mounting (those) great and august vehicles, departed with those great and august vehicles from Ràjagaha, and after approaching by vehicle to the Vultures' Peak Mountain as far as the ground for vehicles (would allow), and descending from the vehicles, he approached the Gracious One by foot, and after approaching, he exchanged greetings with the Gracious One, and after exchanging courteous talk and greetings, he sat down on one side. While sitting on one side, the Magadhan chief minister the brahmin Vassakàra said this to the Gracious One:

ßThe Magadhan King Ajàtasattu, the son of Lady Wisdom, dear Gotama, worships with his head at dear Gotama's feet, and asks whether you are free from sickness, free from illness, in good health, and living comfortably. ⁰⁶

The Magadhan King Ajàtasattu, the son of Lady Wisdom, dear Gotama, desires to attack the Vajjians. He says this: `I will annihilate these Vajjians, who are so successful, so powerful, I will destroy the Vajjians, I will bring about the downfall and destruction of the Vajjians'û.