Linked Discourses 3.16

1. Childless

A Daughter

At Sāvatthī.

Then King Pasenadi of Kosala went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side.

Then a man went up to the king and whispered in his ear,

“Your Majesty, Queen Mallikā has given birth to a daughter.”

When this was said, King Pasenadi was disappointed.

Then, knowing that King Pasenadi was disappointed, on that occasion the Buddha recited these verses:

“Well, some women are better than men,

O ruler of the people.

Wise and virtuous, a devoted wife

whose mother-in-law is her queen.

And when she has a son,

he becomes a hero, O lord of the land.

The son of such a blessed lady

may even rule the realm.”