Once upon a time when Mahapatapa was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta came to life as the son of his queen Canda and they named him Dhammapala. When he was seven months old, his mother had him bathed in scented water and richly dressed and sat with him. The king came to the queen’s place. And as she was playing with the boy, being filled with a mother’s love for her child, she omitted to rise up on seeing the king. He thought, “Even now this woman is not paying respect to me and if the boy grows up, she will take no notice of me. I will have him put to death at once.” So he returned home, and sitting on his throne summoned the executioner. He came and asked the king, “What is you pleasure, Sire?”

The King said, “Go to the royal closet of the queen, and bring here Dhammapala.” But the queen knew that the king went away with anger, and she laid the Bodhisatta on her bosom and sat weeping. The executioner came and snatched the boy out of her arms and took him to the king and said, “What is your pleasure, Sire?” The king had a board brought and put down before him, and said, “Lay him down on it.” The man did so. But queen Canda came and stood just behind her son, weeping. Again the executioner said, “What is your pleasure, Sir?” “Cut off Dhammapala’s hands,” said the king. Queen Canda said, “The fault is not his. If there be any fault, it is mine. There fore cut my hands.”

The king looked at the executioner. “What is your pleasure, Sir?”

The king said, “Without further delay, cut his hands.” The executioner took a sharp axe, and cut the hands of the boy. The boy, when his hands were cut off, neither wept nor lamented, but moved by patience and charity bore it with resignation. But the queen Canda put the hands in her lap and stained with blood went about lamenting. Again the executioner asked, “What is you pleasure, Sir?” The king said, “Cut his feet.”.

But the king gave a sign to the executioner, and he cut off both his feet. Queen Canda put his feet also in her lap, and stained with blood, lamented and said, “My lord Mahapatapa, his feet and hands are cut off. A mother is bound to support her children. I will work for wages and support my son. Give him to me.” The executioner said, “Sir! Is the king’s pleasure fulfilled? Is my service finished?” “Not yet,” said the king. “What then is your pleasure, Sir?” “Cut his head,” said the king. Then Canda said: “I am the unlucky lady; cut my head.”

And with these words she offered her own head. Again the executioner asked, “What is your pleasure, Sir?” The king said, “Cut his head.” So he cut off his head and asked, “Is the king’s pleasure fulfilled?” The king said, “Not yet. Catching him with the edge of the sword, encircle him with sword cuts as it were with a garland.” Then he did so and scattered the bits of flesh on the dais. Canda placed the flesh of the Bodhisatta in her lap, and as she sat on the dais lamenting, she said:–

No friendly councillors advise the king,

‘Slay not the heir that from thy loins did spring’

No loving kinsmen urge the tender plea,

‘Slay not the boy that owes his life to thee.’

Moreover queen Canda, pressing both her hands upon her heart, said:–

Thou, Dhammapala, wert by right of birth

The lord of earth:

Thy arms, once bathed in oil of sandal wood,

Lie steeped in blood.

My fitful breathe alas! is choked with sighs

And broken cries.

While she was thus lamenting, her heart broke, and she fell dead on the spot. The king too being unable to remain on his throne fell down on the dais. The earth split and flames arose from it. The king fell into it and died. His ministers performed the funeral rites of Canda and the Bodhisatta.