Valiant and Skilled in Every Art, to Subdue the Kṣatriyas
The hymn continues: entering deeply into every meditative absorption, every samādhi and liberation, he manifests every kind of playful display, causing beings to attain all-wisdom. He manifests delight in fine clothing, adorning the body in every way, valiant and skilled in the arts of war, in order to subdue the kṣatriyas. He manifests knowledge of governing by the true Dharma, of every timely benefit, gathering in the multitude with gentle words, in order to subdue the great ministers. He goes to the four heavenly kings, to the dwelling of the eight classes of ghosts and spirits, teaching the Dharma there through skillful means, causing them all to rejoice greatly. He manifests as Śakra himself, abiding in the Hall of Good Dharma, surrounded by the assembly of gods, proclaiming the Dharma for their sake.
A Warrior's Skill for Kings, Gentle Words for Ministers
「深入諸禪定， 三昧及解脫，
種種現嬉戲， 令得薩婆若。
示現樂衣服， 種種莊嚴身，
勇健善兵法， 降伏剎利故。
現知治正法， 時節諸義利，
軟語攝眾生， 降伏大臣故。
或詣四天王， 八部鬼神所，
方便為說法， 皆令大歡喜。
或現為帝釋， 安住善法堂，
諸天眾圍遶， 為彼演說法。」
"Entering deeply into every meditative absorption, every samādhi and liberation,
He manifests every kind of playful display, causing beings to attain all-wisdom.
He manifests delight in fine clothing, adorning the body in every way,
Valiant and skilled in the arts of war, in order to subdue the kṣatriyas.
He manifests knowledge of governing by the true Dharma, of every timely benefit,
Gathering in the multitude with gentle words, in order to subdue the great ministers.
He goes to the four heavenly kings, to the dwelling of the eight classes of ghosts and spirits,
Teaching the Dharma there through skillful means, causing them all to rejoice greatly.
He manifests as Śakra himself, abiding in the Hall of Good Dharma,
Surrounded by the assembly of gods, proclaiming the Dharma for their sake."
This stretch systematically works through every social station a buddha's own compassionate skillful means must be capable of engaging — kṣatriya rulers won through valor and martial skill, ministers won through eloquent, gentle counsel, and non-human classes of beings won through Dharma teaching suited to their own kind. Fazang reads the specificity of "the arts of war" applied to subduing kṣatriyas as a deliberate acknowledgment that different social classes respond to different registers of authority: a warrior caste is not won over by gentle words alone, any more than ministers accustomed to careful counsel would be won by displays of martial prowess — each requires its own appropriate approach, extending the "one voice, many understandings" principle into the domain of social and political engagement.
Part 450 Complete
This stretch of manifestation across social stations is now given in full. Part 451 turns to the buddha's own teaching throughout the remaining heavens — Yāma, Tuṣita, Nirmāṇarati, and Paranirmitavaśavartin, up through Brahmā's own Pure Abodes — closing this extended catalogue of dignified deportment.
Continue to Part 451 →