Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta was conceived as the son of the Queen. She delivered a male child and was named as Asadisa Kumara, Prince Peerless. About the time he was able to walk, the Queen conceived one who was also to be a wise being. She delivered another son and named him as Brahmadatta Kumara, or Prince Heaven sent.

When Asadisa Kumara was sixteen, he went to Takkasila for his education. There at the feet of a world famed teacher he learnt the Three Vedas and the Eighteen Accomplishments; in archery he was peerless; then he returned to Benares.

When the king was on his death-bed he commanded that Asadisa Kumara should be king, and Prince Brahmadatta heir apparent. Then he died; after which the kingship was offered to Asadisa Kumara, who refused. So they consecrated Brahmadatta to be king by sprinkling him. Asadisa Kumara cared nothing for glory, and wanted nothing.

While the younger brother ruled, Asadisa Kumara lived in all royal state. The slaves came and slandered him to his brother; “Asadisa Kumara wants to be king!” said they. Brahmadatta believed them, and allowed himself to be deceived; he sent some men to take Asadisa Kumara prisoner.

One of Asadisa Kumara’ attendants told him what was going on. He got angry with his brother, and went away to another country. When he was arrived there, he sent in word to the king that an archer was come, and awaited him. “What wages does he ask?” the king enquired. “A hundred thousand a year.” “Good,” said the king; “let him enter.”

Asadisa Kumara came into the presence, and stood waiting. “Are you the archer?” asked the king. “Yes, Sir!” “Very well, I take you into my service.” After that Asadisa Kumara remained in the service of this king. But the old archers were annoyed at the wage which was given him; “Too much,” they grumbled.

One day it so happened that the king went out into his park. There, at foot of a mango tree, he sat on a magnificent couch. When he happened to look up, he saw a cluster of mango fruit. “It is too high to climb for,” thought the king; so summoning his archers, he asked them whether they could cut off the cluster of mangos with an arrow, and bring it down for him. They said, “Oh! that is a simple task. But your majesty has seen our skill often enough. Let us see whether the newcomer can do this. He is so much better paid than us. You may make him bring down the fruit.”

Then the king sent for Asadisa Kumara, and asked him if he could do it. “Oh yes, your Majesty, if I may choose my position.”

“What position do you want?”

“The place where your couch stands.” The king removed the couch, and gave place.

Asadisa Kumara usually carry the bow underneath his body cloth; so he wanted a screen to be spread for him and it was done so. Asadisa Kumara went in. He changed the clothes. From a bag he took out a sword in pieces, which he put together and girt on his left side. Next he took out his great ramshorn bow, made in several pieces, which he fitted together, fixed the bowstring. He came out, looking like a serpent prince just emerging from the riven ground. He went to the place of shooting, arrow set to bow, and then put this question to the king. “Your Majesty,” said he, “am I to bring this fruit down with an upward shot, or by dropping the arrow upon it?”

The king said, “My son! I have often seen a mark brought down by the upward shot, but never one taken in the fall. You had better make the shaft fall on it.”

The archer said, “Your Majesty! this arrow will fly high up to the heaven, and then return. You must please be patient till it returns.” The king promised. Then the archer said again, “Your Majesty, this arrow in its upshot will pierce the stalk exactly in the middle; and when it comes down, it will hit the same spot, and bring down the cluster with it.” Then he shot the arrow. As the arrow went up it pierced the exact centre of the mango stalk. By the time the archer knew his arrow had reached the place of the Four Great Kings, he shot another arrow with greater speed than the first. This struck the feather of the first arrow, and turned it back; then it went up as far as the heaven of the Thirty three Archangels.

Down came the arrow and it neatly cut through the stalk of the mango cluster. The archer caught the arrow in one hand and the fruit in the other, so that they should not fall upon the ground. The onlookers shouted, “We never saw such a thing before!” They praised the great archer! Apart from the presents to Asadisa Kumara amounting to ten millions of money courtiers gave, the king showered gifts and honours upon him like rain.

While the Bodhisatta was receiving such glory and honour at the hands of this king, seven kings, who knew that there was no Asadisa Kumara in Benares, drew a leaguer around the city, and summoned its king to fight or yield. The king was frightened and asked, “Where is my brother?”

“He is in the service of a neighbouring king,” was the reply.

“If my brother does not come, I am a dead man. Go, fall at his feet in my name, appease him, bring him here!” His messengers came and did their errand. Asadisa Kumara took leave of his master, and returned to Benares. He comforted his brother; then scratched a message upon an arrow to this effect “I, Asadisa Kumara, am returned. I mean to kill you all with one arrow which I will shoot at you. Let those who care for life make their escape.” This arrow fell upon a golden dish, from which the seven kings were eating together. When they read the writing they all fled, half dead with fright.

Thus Asadisa Kumara made the seven kings run for life without shedding a single drop of blood.

Then Asadisa Kumara renounced his lusts, and forsook the world, cultivated the Faculties and the Attainments, and at his life’s end came to Brahma’s heaven.