Once upon a time, in the days of the Buddha Kassapa, there dwelt in Benares a merchant, whose wealth was eighty crores of money, having a son named Mittavindaka. The mother and father of this lad had entered upon the First Path, but he was wicked, an unbeliever.

When by and bye the father was dead and gone, the mother who in his stead managed their property, thus said to her son:- “My son, the state of man is one hard to attain; give alms, practise virtue, keep the holy day, give ear to the Law.” Then said he, “Mother, no almsgiving or such like for me; never name them to me; as I live so shall I fare hereafter.” On a certain full-moon holyday, as he spoke in this fashion, his mother answered, “Son, this day is set apart as a high holy day. To-day take upon you the holy day vows; visit the cloister, and all night long listen to the Law, and when you come back I will give you a thousand pieces of money.”

For desire of this money the son consented. As soon as he had broken his fast he went to the cloister, and there he spent the day; but at night to the end not one word of the Law should reach his ear he lay down in a certain place, and fell asleep. On the next day, very early in the morning, he washed his face, and went to his own house and sat down.

Now the mother thought within herself, “To-day my son after hearing the law will come back early in the morning, bringing with him the Elder who has preached the Law.” She made ready gruel, and food hard and soft, and prepared a seat, and awaited his coming. When she saw her son coming all alone, “why have you not brought the preacher with you? “No preacher for me, mother “says he.” Here then,” said the women, “you dink this gruel. “You promised me a thousand pieces, mother, “he says. “First give this to me. And afterward I will drink “Drink first, my son, and then you shall have the money.” He said, “No I will not drink till I get the money.” Then his mother laid before him a thousand pieces. And he drank the gruel, took the purse with a thousand pieces, and went to do business; and so thereafter in no long time he had gained two millions.

Then it came into his mind that he would go overseas and do business. So he said to his mother: Mother, I mean to do business in this ship.” Said she, “You are my only son and in this house there is plenty of wealth; the sea is filled with dangers. Do not go.” “But he said. “Go! I will and you cannot prevent me.” “Yes, I will prevent you.” she answered, and took hold of his hand; but he thrust her hand away, and struck her down, and in a moment he was gone and under way.

On the seventh day, because of Mittavindaka, the ship stood still in the sea. Lots were cast, and thrice was the lot found in the name of Mittavindaka. Then the others in the ship gave him a raft; and saying “Let not all perish for the sake of this one, “they cast him adrift upon the sea. Immediately the ship sprang forth with speed over the deep sea.

With the help of the raft he came to an island. There in a crystal palace he saw four female spirits of the dead. They used to be in woe seven days and seven in happiness, and in their company he experienced bliss divine. When the time to undergo their penance, they said, “Master, we are going to leave you for seven days; while we are gone, live in peace here.”

But he, full of longing, again embarked upon his raft, and passing over the ocean came to another island; there in a palace of silver he saw eight other spirits. In the same way, he saw upon another island, sixteen in a palace all of jewels, and on yet another, thirty-two that were in a golden hall. With these, as before, he dwelt in divine bliss, and when they went away to their penance, sailed away once more over the ocean; till at last he beheld a city with four gates surround by a wall. That, they say, is the Ussada Hell, the place where many beings, condemned to hell, endure their own deeds; but to Mittavindaka it appeared as though a city all beautiful. Thought he, “I will visit this city, and be its king.” So he entered, and there he saw a being in torment, supporting a wheel sharp as a razor; but to Mittavindaka it seemed as though that razor-wheel upon his head were a lotus bloom; the five-fold fetters upon his seemed as it were a splendid and rich vesture; the blood dripping from his head seemed to be the perfumed powder of red sandal wood; the sound of groaning was as the sound of sweetest song. So approaching he said, “Ho, man Long enough you have been carrying that flower of lotus; now give it to me!” He replied, “My lord, no lotus it is, but a razor-wheel. “Ah,” quoth the first: so you say because you do not wish to give it.: Thought the condemned wretch: “My past deeds must be exhausted. No doubt this fellow like me is here for smiting a mother. Well, I will give him the razor-wheel.” Then he said, “Here then, take the lotus: and with those words cast the razor- wheel upon his head; and on his head it fell, crushing it in. In an instant Mittavindaka knew that it was a razor – wheel, and says he, “Take your wheel, take back your wheel!” groaning aloud in his pain; but the other had disappeared.

At that moment the Bodhidsatta with a great following was making a round through the Ussada Hell, and arrived at that spot. Mittavindaka, seeing him, cried out, “Lord! King of the Gods! this razor-wheel is piercing and tearing me like a pestle crushing mustard seeds! What sin have I committed?”

Then the king of the Gods, to explain the matter to him told, “You have not herd the voices of your mother; you beat her; out of lust you wandered all the places.”

Hearing this, Mittavindaka thought to himself, “This son of the gods has explained exactly what I have done. No doubt he knows also the measure of my punishment.” And he asked, “How many years I have to bear this torture?”

Then the Great Being declared the matter:

The wheel shall roll and on shall roll, no savior shall appear,

Fixed on you head till you be dead Mittavinda, hear.

Thus saying the Divine returned to his own place, and the other fell into great misery.