Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was one of his courtiers.

A fat and badly dressed country woman, who works for hire, was passing near the courtyard of the palace. In order to relieve the nature’s call, she, bending down with her raiment decently gathered round her, accomplished her purpose, and was erect again in a trice.

The King by chance looked down the window and saw this. He thought, “A woman who could manage this with so much decency must have good health. She would be clean lady in her house; and a son born into a cleanly house would be sure to grow up cleanly and virtuous. I will make her my queen consort.” And accordingly the King, married her after assuring himself that she was not married. And she became very near and dear to him. Not long afterwards a son was born, and this son became an Universal Monarch.

Observing her fortunes, the Bodhisatta took occasion to say to the King, “Sir! why should not care be taken duly to fulfil all proper observances, when this excellent woman by her modesty and decency in relieving nature won your majesty’s favour and rose to such fortune?”

Thus did the Great Being commend the virtues of those who devoted themselves to the study of proper observances.