Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born a brahmin. When he came to years of discretion he renounced the world for a hermit’s life; he won the higher Knowledges and the Attainments, and lived in the Himalayas in the bliss that comes from insight.

In those days, Brahmadatta dreamed sixteen dreams at Benares, and enquired of the Brahmins concerning them. Then, the Brahmins said that the King has to give sacrifices to God.

Amongst them was a young brahmin of learning and wisdom, a pupil of the king’s chaplain, who addressed his master thus:- “Master, you have taught me the Three Vedas. All of them teach,’The slaying of one creature will not give life to another?”

“My son! this means lot of money to us. You only seem anxious to spare the king’s treasury!”

“Master! Do as you like.” said the young brahmin and went away to royal garden.

That very same day the Bodhisatta, knowing all this, thought to himself:- “To day, if I visit the people, I shall deliver a multitude from their bondage.” So, passing through the air, he alighted in the royal garden and seated himself upon the Ceremonial Stone. The young Brahmin came near him and with due obeisance seated himself by the Bodhisatta in all friendliness.

The Bodhisatta asked whether the king ruled righteously. The young man answered, “the king is righteous himself but the brahmins make him take side with evil. Being consulted by the king as to sixteen dreams which he had dreamed, the Brahmins clutched at the opportunity for sacrifices and set to work thereon. Oh! Sir! would it not be a good thing that you should clarify the king of the real import of his dreams and so deliver great numbers of creatures from their dread?” The Bodhisatta told,”If the king comes and ask me, I will tell him. But I do not know the king, and he doesn’t know me.

The young brahmin told him,”I will tell the king and I will bring him here. Please wait until I come back.” And having gained the Bodhisatta’s consent, he went before the king, and said, ”There is an air traveling ascetic in the garden, who said he would expound the king’s dreams. O! King! Please come with me.”

When the king heard this, he went at once to the garden with a large retinue. Saluting the ascetic, he sat down by the holy man’s side, and asked whether it was true that he knew what would come of his dreams.

“Certainly, sir,” said the Bodhisatta; “but first let me hear the dreams as you dreamed them.”

“Readily, sir,” answered the king; and he began as follows:-

Bulls first, and trees, and cows, and calves,

Horse, dish, she jackal, waterpot,

A pond, raw rice, and sandal wood,

And gourds that sank, and stones that swam,

And so forth, ending up with

And wolves in panic fear of goats.

And his majesty went on to tell his dreams. The Bodhisatta said, “Enough. You have nothing to fear or dread from all this.” Having thus reassured the king, and having freed a great multitude from bondage, the Bodhisatta again took up his position in midair, when he exhorted the king and established him in the Five Commandments, ending with these words:- “O! King! Do not join with the Brahmins in slaughtering animals for sacrifice.”

His teaching ended, the Bodhisatta passed straight through the air to his own abode. And the king, remaining steadfast in the teaching he had heard, passed away after a life of alms giving and other good works to fare according to his deserts.