“When I was Prince Yudhañjaya of infinite fame, I was stirred with urgency on seeing a fallen dewdrop in the heat of the sun.
Taking that to be of prime importance, I fostered that urgency. I bowed to my mother and father, and begged permission to go forth.
With cupped palms, along with the citizens of town and country, they asked, ‘This very day, rule this great land, so successful and prosperous.’
The King and the Queens, with the citizens of town and country, cried pitifully, as I forsook unconcerned.
Kingship over the entire earth, family, retinue, and fame—I gave them up without a second thought, because it was solely for awakening.
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.”
Yudhañjaya’s Conduct
Cp 21 · Yudhañjayacariya
Connections
Collection & context
- CariyāpiṭakaThe collection containing this text
- The Pāli canonCanonical collection in which this edition is preserved
- Theravāda traditionsTransmission and study context
- The early Buddhist communityHistorical and traditional setting
About this edition
Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0
This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.
Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.
The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.