#(Buddha) 38 Ajatashatru Regrets Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

King Ajatashatru heard
That Devedatta had died.
He had lost his best friend,
Who stood ever by his side.

He imprisoned his father,
And then killed him there.
On the advice of Devadatta
He tried to kill Buddha.

All the great sins he did
In return, they paid
In the form of disease,
With painful blisters.

Doctors treated him in vain.
He couldn’t bear the pain.
Buddha sent a physician,
Who gave him proper medicine.

For his sins, he repented.
Before Buddha, he begged
To be excused for his deed,
Which, on him, recoiled.

Taking pity, Buddha cured
Both his body and mind.
He then joined Sangha,
As a disciple, served Buddha.

Buddha’s father sent word
That he was in death bed.
Buddha rushed to see him.
But he died in his son’s arms.

After the King Shuddhodana
The entire clan of Shakya
Battled among themselves
For position and powers.

Buddha continued to travel
And helped suffering people.
Even when he was very old,
He served them till the end.