“Śreṇi Bimbisāra, king of Magadha.”
In this way she went on asking, and the painters told her all the names. When she had looked at all the portraits, her eyes remained fixed on that of Bimbisāra, and she began to reflect whether a man of such port and stature would devote himself to love with her.
It happened one day that King Bimbisāra of Magadha went out on the roof of his palace, and there, surrounded by his band of ministers, he indulged in light talk, asking them what courtesans they had seen. Gopāla said, “O king, there are others besides, but in Vaiśālī there is one of exquisite youth and beauty, Āmrapālī by name. She is versed in the sixty-four arts of love, and deserves, O king, to be enjoyed by thee.” The king replied, “If that be so, Gopāla, I will betake myself to Vaiśālī and enjoy myself with her.” Gopāla called his attention to the fact that danger might threaten him on the part of the Liććhavis, who had long entertained hostile sentiments towards him. The king was of opinion that men who possessed manly hearts might always go anywhere. Gopāla said, “O king, if a man attaches importance to matters of small account, let him go.” The king mounted his chariot and betook himself with Gopāla to Vaiśālī.
When they arrived there, Gopāla remained in the park, but the king went to Āmrapālī’s house. Then the bell began to sound. The Liććhavis of Vaiśālī became greatly excited, thinking that as the bell had rung an enemy must have penetrated into the city. A great uproar arose, and King Bimbisāra asked Āmrapālī what it meant.
“O king, the houses are being searched.”
“On what account?”
“On your account, O king!” [[89]]
“What is to be done, then? Shall I take to flight?”
“O king, be not troubled. As my house will not be searched till seven days have elapsed, you can go on enjoying yourself for seven days; therefore enjoy yourself. When seven days are over, you will know that it is time to go.” So he enjoyed himself with her, and she became with child by him. When she informed him of that, he gave her a robe and a ring, and said, “If it be a daughter, let her remain with you. But if it be a son, put on him this robe, press the seal of this ring on his neck, and send him to me.”
After leaving Āmrapālī’s house, the king mounted his chariot and drove away with Gopāla. But the bell sounded. The Liććhavis, under the impression that an enemy had appeared, gave orders that he should be searched for, and sent after him five hundred men armed with arrows and spears.[5] When Gopāla saw them, he asked the king whether he would do the fighting or conduct the chariot. The king replied, “I am weary, so I will conduct the chariot, but do you fight with them.” When Gopāla began to enter into combat with them, the inhabitants of Vaiśālī recognised him, and said, “Honoured sirs, this is a Rākshasa of a man, let us turn back.” So they returned to Vaiśālī, and passed a resolution that they would let the children of Bimbisāra take vengeance on this foe of theirs.