Ba Thet Swe - The Story of Saung Kyar Myaing

At that time, in the kingdom of Dhara, Maharaja Dahiraja Pramibeda Sri Khadjadiva was ruling. He was a great and courageous king, as well as a learned one. However, the problem that arose in that king was due to Dhamma.

In the palace of King Jadiva, there lived a prostitute named Sringaramanji. She was so beautiful that all the men loved her. Her beauty surpassed that of all the other young women. Not only did the other prostitutes in King Jadiva's kingdom but also those in neighboring countries fell in love with her.

Her mother was Visma Sila. She was also a retired courtesan. She was respected by everyone. However, she was always worried about her daughter's status quo. She wanted to further develop the sexual skills of women.

One summer evening, as she sat with her daughter, she told her. “My daughter... you are so rich because of your beauty. Usually prostitutes are ruined by the deceit of the devil. You must use your art as a skill to please others and be successful. That requires studying and understanding the dominant desires of men. Mother will tell you about other prostitutes who have used their art to achieve success. If you hear about their experiences, you will be more knowledgeable than you are now. Now... listen.”

"In the city of Kantipur, there was a learned and wealthy Brahmin named Somadatta. He was a famous scholar, and could even recite the Vedas and the Saskaras well. He became famous and even richer. But he had no children."

He studied the Vijaya Kaptan Gatha and prayed to the Sun, who had the power to grant wishes, and as a result, he had a son named Ravidatta...

When Ravidas, the secretary of the royal court of ancient India, turned 16, he was given the sacred thread of the needle. He even instructed him to study the Vedas and the Hindu scriptures.

Ravidatta studied the Vedas diligently, and became as knowledgeable as his father. The father was concerned about the wealth his son would inherit. He feared that one of his sons would be ruined in the future. So he taught him all the knowledge. He even taught him the secrets of the prostitutes that Datta and other sages had written.

One day he called his son and said, “Son... youth is a dense darkness. It is true that no one can escape youth. Madana is deceitful, material wealth is intoxicating. The mind is naturally unstable like a drop of water on a lotus leaf. The mind is as difficult to control as a wild elephant. Young girls are naturally prone to lust and lust. The beginning of the rainy season, the beginning of the winter season and the beginning of the other seasons are exciting. No one can endure the matter of love. My son, you have to overcome six enemies, namely the senses. The deceitful ones love the senses. They associate with shameless women.

Here, my son... The advice of elders is not acceptable to the weak-minded. Merely studying the Shastras is of no use. The pride of your self-esteem in literary learning will be destroyed by the people around you. Your courage will also decrease. Your dignity will also disappear. Finally, you will become morally corrupt and completely ruined. These are the consequences that you will suffer because you cannot eliminate your senses.

Therefore... my son, be careful, live and act according to your rank. Avoid bad company. Do not listen to music, sing or dance. Do not ignore the seductive glances of young women. Do not go to dance halls and gambling dens. Always remember that a person who does not live up to his rank will be scorned by people. There was an example of a powerful king like Puruva becoming a slave to the prostitute Urvashi.

Rabidatta also followed his father's advice. As a result, he was respected by many. His father, Sobadatta, was also proud of his son.

Then, many years later, his father and mother died. Thus, Ravidatta was left alone in the world. At first, he felt sorrow and grief as a pang. Then, over time, the grief subsided. He was able to live happily with his friends.

In the summer, the youth festival was held in the Karumakara Park, but Ravidatta never went to the park. He was already an adult, and the desires of a youthful life were already emerging. However, he did not go to places of entertainment and festivities, listening to his father.

How long could a young man suppress his desires and sensibilities? He was also a healthy young man. Therefore, Ravidatta could not go beyond the demands of nature.

It was spring, and the air in the garden was filled with the fragrance of various flowers. The mango trees were in full bloom. The hummingbirds were singing in the trees, announcing the arrival of spring.

The young people were walking freely. They were laughing happily. They were talking happily. A youth festival was being held in Karumakara Park. All the young people were heading towards the park.

At that time, friends came to Ravidatta.

"Friends... Today is the festival of the Buddha. What is the use of your life if you don't go to the festival?