Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was king in Benares, the Bodhisatta was chaplain, and a wise, learned man was he. One day, he went into his park to disport him, and seeing a beautiful lady, fell in love with her, and took up his abode with her. He got her with child, and when she perceived it she said to him: “Sir, I am with child; when he is born, and I am to name him, I will give him his grandfather’s name.” but he thought, “It can never be that the name of a noble family should be given to a slave-girl’s bastard.” Then he said to her. “My dear, this tree here is called Uddala, and you may name the child Uddalaka because he was conceived here.” Then he gave her a seal-ring, and said, “If it be a girl use this to help bring her up; but if a boy, bring him to me when he grows up.”

In due time she brought forth a son, and named him Uddalaka. When he grew up, he asked his mother, “Mother, who is my father?” –“The chaplain, my boy.”

“If that is so, I will learn the holy books.” So receiving the ring from his mother, and a teacher’s fee, he went to Takkasila and learnt there of a world-renowned teacher. In the course of his studies he saw a company of ascetics. He thought, “These must surely have the perfect knowledge and I will learn from them.” Accordingly he renounced the world, so eager he was for knowledge, he did menial service for them, begging them in return to teach him their own wisdom. so they taught him all they knew; but among the whole five hundred of them not one there was outdid him in knowledge; he was the wisest of them all. Then they gathered together and appointed him to be their teacher. He said to them, “Venerable sirs, you always live in the woodland eating of fruits and roots; why did you not go in the paths of men?” They said, “Sir! men are willing to give us gifts, but they make us show gratitude by declaring the law, they ask us questions; for fear of this we never go among them.” He answered, “Sirs, if you have me, let a universal monarch ask questions, leave me to settle them, and fear nothing.” So he went on pilgrimage with them, seeking alms, and at last came to Benares, and stayed in the king’s park. Next day, in company with them all, he sought alms in a village before the city gate. The folk gave them alms in plenty. On the day following the ascetics traversed the city, the folk gave them alms in plenty. The ascetic Uddalaka gave thanks, and blessed them, and answered questions. The people were edified, and gave all they had need of in great abundance. The whole city buzzed with the news. Hearing this, the King asked, “Where do they live?” They told him, “In the park.” King said, “Good! today I will go and see them.” A man went and told it to Uddalaka. He called the company together, and said, “Sirs, the king is coming; win favour in the eyes of the great for one day, it is enough for a lifetime.”

“What must we do, teacher?” they asked. Then he said, “Some of you must be at the swinging penance, some squat on the ground, some lie upon beds of spikes, some practice the penance of the five fires, others go down into the water, others again recite holy verses in this place or that.” They did so. Himself with wise man eight or ten sat upon a prepared seat with a head-rest disputing, a fair volume beside him laid upon a beautiful Standish, and listeners all around. At that moment the king with his chaplain and a great company came into the park, and when he saw them all deep in their sham austerities, he was pleased and thought, “They are free from all fear of evil states hereafter.” Approaching Uddalaka, he greeted him graciously and sat down on one side; then in the delight of his heart began speaking to the chaplain, and said:

“With uncleansed teeth, and goatskin garb and hair

All matted, muttering holy words in peace:

Surely no human means to good they spare,

Surely they know the Truth, have won Release.”

Hearing this, the chaplain replied, “The king is pleased where he should not be pleased, and I must not be silent.” Then he replied:

“A learned sage may do ill deeds, O king:

A learned sage may fail to follow right.

A thousand Vedas will not bring safety,

Failing just works, or save from evil plight.”

Uddalaka, when he heard these words thought to himself, “The king was pleased with the ascetics, be they what you will; but this man comes a clap over the snout of the ox when he goes too fast, drops dirt in the dish all ready to eat. I must talk to him.” So he addressed him:

“The Vedas then, must be a useless thing.

True doctrine is – control yourself, do right.”

At this the chaplain said:

“Not so: the Vedas are no useless thing.

Though world with self-control, true doctrine is.

To study well the Vedas fame will bring,

But by right conduct we attain to bliss.”

Now thought Uddalaka, “It will never do to be on ill terms with this man. If I tell him I am his son, he must love; I will tell him I am his son.” Then he said:

“Parents and kinsmen claim one’s care;

A second self our parents are.

I’m Uddalaka, a shoot,

Noble brahmin, from thy root.”

“Are you indeed Uddalaka?” he asked. “Yes,” said the other. Then he said, “I gave your mother a token, where is it?” He said, “Here it is, brahmin,” and handed him the ring. The brahmin knew the ring again, and said “Without doubt you are a brahmin; but do you know the duties of a brahmin?” He enquired concerning these duties:

“What makes the brahmin? how can he be perfect? Tell me this.

What is a righteous man, and how wins he Nirvana’s bliss?”

Uddalaka explained it:

“The world renounced, with fire, he worship pays,

Pours water, lifts the sacrificial pole.

As one who does his duty men him praise,

And such a brahmin wins him peace of soul.”

The chaplain listened and found fault with it, said:

“No sprinkling makes the brahmin pure, perfection is not this,

Nor peace nor kindness thus he wins nor yet Nirvana’s bliss.”

Hereupon Uddalaka asked, “If this does not make the brahmin, then what does?”

The chaplain answered:

“He has no field, no goods, no wish, no kin,

Careless of life, no lusts, no evil ways:

Even such a brahmin peace of soul shall win,

So as one true to duty men him praise.”

After this Uddalaka said:

“Khatiya, Brahmin, Vessa, Sudda, and Candala, Pukkusa,

All these can be compassionate, can win Nirvana’s bliss:

Who among all the saints is there who worse or better is?”

Then the brahmin said, to show that there is no higher or lower from the moment sainthood is won:

“Khatiya, Brahmin, Vessa, Sudda, and Candala, Pukkusa,

All these can be compassionate, can win Nirvana’s bliss.

None among all the saints is found who worse or better is?”

But Uddalaka found fault with this, said:

“Khatiya, Brahmin, Vessa, Sudda, and Candala, Pukkusa,

All these can virtuous be and all attain Nirvana’s bliss:

None among all the saints is found who worse or better is?”

You are a brahmnin, then, for not. vain is your rank, I wish.”

Here the chaplain said with a similitude:

“With canvas dyed in many a tin pavilions may be made:

The roof, a many-coloured dome. one colour is the shade.

Even so, when men are purified, so is it here on earth:

The good perceive that they are saints, and never ask their birth.”

Now Uddalaka could not say no to this, and so he sat silent. Then the brahmin said to the king, “All these are knaves, o king, all India will come to ruin through knavery. Persuade Uddalaka to renounce his asceticism, and to be chaplain under me; let the rest leave their asceticism, give them shield and spear and make them your men.” The king consented, and did so, and they all entered the service of the king.