Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born as Prince. He grew up and was educated at Takkasila, and at his father’s death became king and ruled righteously. Now in those days the King of Kosala came up with a great force against Benares and killed the king and bore off his queen to be his own wife.

When the king was killed, his son made his escape through the sewer. Afterwards he collected a mighty force and came to Benares. Encamping hard by, he sent a message to the king to either surrender the kingdom or fight. And the king sent back the answer that he will fight. But the mother of the young prince, hearing of this, sent a message to her son, saying, “There is no need to do fight. Let every approach to the city on every side be encircled, till lack of firewood and water and food wears out the people. Then the city will fall into your hands without any fighting.”

Following his mother’s advice, the prince for seven days invested the city with so close a blockade that the citizens on the seventh day cut off their king’s head and brought it to the prince. Then he entered the city and made himself king, and when his life ended he passed away to fare according to his deserts.