Reading guide
A third chapter, five more themes
After ten stories on giving and ten on ethics, this final chapter covers five different perfections across its fifteen stories: renunciation (five stories), resolve (one), truth (six), love (two), and equanimity (one) — opening here with renunciation.
A single dewdrop as the trigger
Nothing dramatic precipitates Yudhañjaya's decision: seeing a dewdrop fall and vanish in the sun's heat is enough to stir him with saṃvega, the same sudden sense of urgency named directly in Kp 5 of the Khuddakapatha and Cp 7's Prince Candana — here triggered by nothing more than ordinary weather.
A kingdom offered back, and refused
As Yudhañjaya prepares to leave, the citizens themselves beg him to stay and rule — the kingdom is not lost or threatened, it is actively being offered, making his refusal a clean renunciation rather than an escape from difficulty.
The same denial-then-reason closing
As in many stories across this collection, the ending states plainly what the renunciation was not about: ‘I had no dislike of my parents, nor did I dislike the great fame. But because omniscience is precious to me, that is why I forsook kingship.’
Key terms
The text
§1“When I was Prince Yudhañjaya of infinite fame, I was stirred with urgency on seeing a fallen dewdrop in the heat of the sun.
§2Taking that to be of prime importance, I fostered that urgency. I bowed to my mother and father, and begged permission to go forth.
§3With cupped palms, along with the citizens of town and country, they asked, ‘This very day, rule this great land, so successful and prosperous.’
§4The King and the Queens, with the citizens of town and country, cried pitifully, as I forsook unconcerned.
§5Kingship over the entire earth, family, retinue, and fame—I gave them up without a second thought, because it was solely for awakening.
§6I had no dislike of my parents, nor did I dislike the great fame. But because omniscience is precious to me, that is why I forsook kingship.”
Self-check quiz
Ten questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.