The One King’s ConductEkarājacariya

“Then again when I was“Punāparaṁ yadā homi, the renowned One King,ekarājāti vissuto; resolved on highest ethics,Paramaṁ sīlaṁ adhiṭṭhāya, I ruled the great earth.pasāsāmi mahāmahiṁ.

Without exception I followedDasa kusalakammapathe, the ten ways of skillful deeds.vattāmi anavasesato; With the four ways of being inclusive,Catūhi saṅgahavatthūhi, I brought together the population.saṅgaṇhāmi mahājanaṁ.

As I was being diligent,Evaṁ me appamattassa, for the sake of this world and the next,idha loke parattha ca; Dabbasena attackedDabbaseno upagantvā, and sacked my city.acchindanto puraṁ mama.

The royal dependents in the city,Rājūpajīve nigame, with the military and the citizens—sabalaṭṭhe saraṭṭhake; he captured them all,Sabbaṁ hatthagataṁ katvā, and buried me in a pit.kāsuyā nikhaṇī mamaṁ.

The court ministers, the flourishing kingdom,Amaccamaṇḍalaṁ rajjaṁ, and my royal court—phītaṁ antepuraṁ mama; were captured and held,Acchinditvāna gahitaṁ, I even saw my beloved son.piyaṁ puttaṁva passahaṁ; There is no one to equal my love:Mettāya me samo natthi, this is my perfection of love.”esā me mettāpāramī”ti.