The first Cousin, Devadatta, <br />Was always jealous of Buddha. <br />He told people, he was greater, <br />And Buddha was not superior. <br /> <br />King Bimbisara, the disciple <br />Of Buddha was too liberal <br />In giving gifts to Buddha <br />And not to Devadatta. <br /> <br />This burnt Devadatta’s heart. <br />He hatched a wicked plot <br />To dethrone King Bimbisara, <br />And crown his son Ajathashatru. <br /> <br />He told Ajatashatru, his friend, <br />“Your father has become old. <br />You just put him in prison <br />And then ascend the throne.” <br /> <br />“You’re wiser and superior <br />To your old father, <br />So, better rule the Kingdom <br />With all your wisdom.” <br /> <br />Tempted by his advice, <br />Ajatashatru, the prince, <br />Became the next ruling King <br />By imprisoning the old King. <br /> <br />As Bimbisara was a noble King, <br />His people started revolting. <br />On the advice of Devatta <br />He killed his father, Bimbisara. <br /> <br />Devatta wanted to eliminate <br />Buddha in the next plot. <br />With King Ajatashatru’s help <br />He wanted to send him up. <br /> <br />To kill Buddha, he sent <br />An archer, who went <br />And came back without <br />Shooting a single shot. <br /> <br />He said, “He’s so radiant, <br />So serene, and so great, <br />I can’t do any harm <br />Nor shoot to kill him.”<br /><br />Rajaram Ramachandran<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/buddha-35-devadatta-the-cousin/
