“Bitterness is like swallowing poison and waiting for the other person to die.”  Dighiti and his wife fled before Brahmadatta’s advancing army.

After a time, Dighhiti’s wife became pregnant. When the queen realized she was with child, she became distressed. Turning to Dighhiti she moaned, “How can I bring a child into this world. Look at this squalid hut and those crowded, filthy streets. Our child deserves to be raised in a palace with all the privileges of royalty.”

One day, a court priest arrived at Dighiti’s cottage. When he saw the queen, he folded his hands in reverent salutation and prophesied, “Fear not, the king of Kosala is in your womb!” The prediction eased the queen’s worries. She gave birth to a baby boy, whom they named Dighavu, the Long-Lived one.

Next time: “The Exile of the Exiled”