The Aggressor

While Brahmadutt ruled Banaras, Bodhisattva was born as his son. Brahmadutt namedhis son Shilava.

When the time came, Shilava became theKing of Banaras. He ruled the people justly and made them happy. When anyone committed crimes because of poverty, dire need orignorance, the king did not punish them. Hecalled them to him, gave them the money theyneeded, and advised them how to lead a correct life.

Due to this, crime did not flourish and thepeople began to love their king.

The kingdom of Kosala was across theborder. The minister of Kosala thought thatShilava was a weak king. He told his king, "Yourmajesty, the King of Banaras is afraid ofpunishing even bandits. It should be easy for usto conquer him.

"The King of Kosala wanted to test the strengthof Shilava. He ordered some of his soldiers tocross the border and loot some of the villages of Banaras.

The villagers promptly caught them and tookthem to King Shilava.

"Friends," said Shilava, "you look likestrangers. What made you attack our villagers?"

"O King," the soldiers replied, "we wereprompted by hunger.""You could have come to me and got enoughfood," said Shilava. He got money from histreasury, distributed it among the soldiers of Kosala, and sent them away.

When the King of Kosala learnt what hadhappened, he was convinced that Shilava was aweakling.

Still he wanted some more confirmation. So,he sent a bigger contingent of soldiers to destroya few towns in the kingdom.

But the people of Banaras were very alert.They caught the soldiers again and presentedthem before the king. Shilava once again gavethem money and sent them away.

The King of Kosala was now quite convincedthat he could easily conquer Banaras. Hemarched his armies on Banaras.