Reading guide
A charlatan recognized for what he is
Before any accusation is made, Somanassa already sees through the ascetic his father favors: ‘like a pile of chaff without grain, like a hollow tree’, someone who has ‘left the bright qualities of conscience for the sake of making a living’.
A polite visit, met with a death threat
Sent by his father to attend to the ascetic's needs, Somanassa's simple, courteous offer of help is met with fury and a threat: ‘I'll have you killed right now! Or banished from the realm!’
A father's order, carried out on a lie
The charlatan lies to the returning king, and the king — without verifying anything — orders his own son's execution in the most brutal terms, his body to be quartered and displayed ‘from street to street’ as a warning.
An unexpected reversal, then a deliberate departure
Somanassa manages to be brought before the king in time to plead his own case, and succeeds not only in surviving but in winning the king's confidence entirely — the king asks his forgiveness and offers him the kingdom outright. Somanassa's renunciation, when it comes, is chosen freely, after both survival and reconciliation, not forced by continued danger.
Key terms
The text
A charlatan recognized
§1“Then again when I was in Indapatta, the capital city, I was a loved and cherished child renowned as Somanassa.
§2I was ethical, full of good qualities, of fine and eloquent speech, honoring elders, conscientious, and expert in the methods of inclusiveness.
§3Now there was this charlatan renunciant who was favored by the king. He made a living by cultivating an orchard and flowering shrubs.
§4Seeing he was a charlatan, like a pile of chaff without grain, like a hollow tree, like a plantain tree with no core, I thought:
§5‘There is no good in him, he has strayed from asceticism. He has left the bright qualities of conscience for the sake of making a living.’
A death sentence on a lie
§6Then the borders were in turmoil by wild frontier savages. Before going to put an end to it, my father instructed me:
§7‘My dear, do not neglect the matted-hair ascetic of severe penance. He is the granter of our wishes, give him all he desires.’
§8I went then to serve him, and said the following. ‘I hope you are well, householder. Is there anything I can bring for you?’
§9At that he was upset with me, that prideful charlatan. ‘I’ll have you killed right now! Or banished from the realm!’
§10After putting an end to the border conflict, the king said to the charlatan, ‘I hope you’re keeping well, sir, and honors were served you?’
§11That wicked one told him how the prince deserved execution. When he heard these words, the Lord of the Earth commanded:
§12‘Cut off his head right there! Saw his corpse into four pieces! And then show them from street to street: this is the fate of one who shames the ascetic.’
§13Rightaway left the punishers—fierce, violent and pitiless. They dragged me from my mother’s lap and led me away.
A reversal, then a chosen departure
§14I said to them as they bound me with tight bonds: ‘Present me to the king right now, I have an issue for the king!’
§15They presented me to the king, follower of the wicked one and his wicked ways. On seeing me, I persuaded him and brought him under my influence.
§16He asked for my forgiveness then, and offered me the kingdom. But having burst the darkness asunder, I went forth to homelessness.
§17I did not dislike great kingship, nor did I dislike sensual enjoyment. But because omniscience is precious to me, that is why I forsook kingship.”
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