The Story of Thera Sivali

The Story of Thera Sivali

While residing in the Kundadhana forest near the city of Kundakoliya, the Buddha uttered Verse (414), with reference to Thera Sivali.

Princess Suppavasa of Kundakoliya was in pregnancy for seven years and then for seven days she was in labor pains. She kept contemplating the unique qualities of the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Samgha and in the end she sent her husband to the Buddha to pay obeisance to him on her behalf and to inform him of her condition. When informed of the condition of the princess, the Buddha said,

"May Suppavasa be free from danger and from sorrow; may she give birth to a healthy noble son in safety."

As the Buddha spoke these words, Suppavasa gave birth to her son at her house. On that very day, soon after the birth of the child, the Queen invited the Buddha and his retinue to their house forAlms-food. The newly born child offered filtered water to the Buddha and the bhikkhus. To celebrate the birth of the child, the parents invited the Buddha and the bhikkhus to their house to offer food for seven days.

When the child grew up he was admitted to the Order and as a bhikkhu he was known as Sivali. As soon as they they shaved off his head, he attained arahatship. Later, he became famous as the bhikkhu who received the largest amount of offerings. As a recipient of offerings, he was unsurpassed.

On one occasion, the bhikkhus asked the Buddha the reason for confining Sivali in his mother's womb for seven years although he has the qualifications to become an arahat. To them the Buddha replied, "Bhikkhus! In a previous existence, Sivali was the son of a king who lost his kingdom to another king. In trying to regain their kingdom he had besieged the city on the advice of his mother. As a result, the people in the city were without food or water for seven days. This evil deed was the cause of Sivali imprisonment in his mother's womb. But now, Sivali has come to the end of all dukkha; he has realized Nibbana."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 414. Him I call a brahmana, who, having traversed this dangerous swamp (of passion), this difficult road (of moral defilements), the ocean of life (samsara) and the darkness of ignorance (moha), and having crossed the fourfold Flood, has reached the other shore (Nibbana); who practices Tranquility and Insight Meditation, who is free from craving and from doubt, who clings to nothing and remains in perfect peace.

Reference:

Dhammapada Stries and Verses by Daw Mya Tin (Nibbana.com)