The Pilgrim Kamanita · Chapter
In the Grove of Krishna explained
Vasitthi recounts how she continued to visit the Krishna grove to learn the Buddha's doctrine.
What happens
Vasitthi recounts how she continued to visit the Krishna grove to learn the Buddha's doctrine. The city of Kosambi is in turmoil due to the robber Angulimala, who threatens to attack the grove. Satagira returns home and is confronted by King Udena about his earlier deception regarding Angulimala's death. Desperate, Satagira follows Vasitthi's counsel to bring the king to the Buddha. There, the king discovers that Angulimala has been converted by the Master. Vasitthi reveals her own past involvement in a plot against Satagira, which was thwarted by Angulimala's conversion. She then requests and receives permission to join the Buddha's order.
Themes in this chapter
Compassion and Mercy
The Buddha's conversion of Angulimala demonstrates mercy overcoming violence, and Vasitthi's forgiveness of Satagira echoes this theme.
Renunciation and Worldliness
Vasitthi's choice to leave her married life and enter the monastic order highlights the tension between worldly attachments and spiritual renunciation.
Illusion and Reality
Satagira's false belief in Angulimala's death and the king's fear of the robber are dispelled by the reality of Angulimala's transformation.
Characters to notice
- Vasitthi
Narrator and central figure; she counsels Satagira, reveals her past plot, and requests to enter the Sacred Order.
- Satagira
Vasitthi's husband; returns home to face the king's wrath over Angulimala, then is terrified when he sees the converted robber.
- Angulimala
The reformed robber; present in the grove as a disciple of the Buddha, causing fear in Satagira and wonder in the king.
- King Udena
King of Kosambi; visits the Buddha to seek advice about Angulimala and is astonished by the robber's conversion.
- The Lord Buddha
The Master; receives the king and reveals that Angulimala has been tamed and transformed into a virtuous monk.
Key passages
“Be comforted, my husband. Follow my counsel, and not in three days, but before this day is over, thou shalt again be in possession of the royal favour; yes, and not only so, but it shall shine upon thee even more brightly than before.”
Vasitthi reassures Satagira that if he follows her advice, he will regain the king's favor by the end of the day, and even more so.
Vasitthi's confident promise sets the stage for the resolution of Satagira's crisis.
“Return to the king and persuade him to betake himself to the Sinsapa wood beyond the city gates. There let him seek the Lord Buddha at the ancient temple, and ask counsel from him. The rest will follow of itself.”
She advises Satagira to bring the king to the Buddha in the Sinsapa wood for guidance, assuring that the outcome will be favorable.
This counsel leads to the pivotal encounter between King Udena and the Buddha.
“I have now kept my promise. Keep thou therefore thine also, and fulfil my request, which is, that I may be permitted to enter the Sacred Order of the Buddha.”
After securing Satagira's pardon, Vasitthi reminds him of his promise and asks to join the Buddhist monastic order.
Vasitthi's request marks her final renunciation of worldly life.