The Test of Virtue: The Bodhisatta & the Heavenly Daughters

Long ago, in a distant land, there lived a merchant who was known far and wide for his piety and righteousness. His life was a model of virtue. He gave charity to the poor, observed the holy days, and lived in harmony with his family and workers, who also followed a righteous path. The merchant had one special custom: he kept a couch and bed in his home reserved only for those with purer morals than his own. It was a place of honor, set aside for those whose virtue surpassed even his own high standards.

The Dispute Among the Divine Daughters

One day, a quarrel broke out in the heavens. The daughters of the gods of the East and West, two celestial beings of great beauty, went down to bathe in the sacred Lake Anotatta. However, they could not agree on who should bathe first. Each believed she was more virtuous and therefore more worthy to bathe in the lake’s sacred waters. The dispute grew so heated that they decided to seek the help of their fathers, the gods of the East and West. But when the gods could not settle the matter, they turned to the gods of the North and South, who too were unable to make a decision.

The matter was finally brought before Indra, king of the gods. After hearing their arguments, Indra could not decide which daughter was more virtuous. Instead, he advised them to seek the counsel of the Bodhisatta, a righteous merchant living on earth. “Go to him,” Indra said, “and whichever of you is offered his special couch and bed will be the one worthy of bathing first.”

The Test of Virtue

The two daughters descended from the heavens and made their way to the merchant’s home. The first goddess, draped in a blue robe and adorned with jewels, arrived with great haste. She seemed to fall from the heavens like a bolt of lightning, her descent swift and forceful. As she hovered in the air above the merchant’s home, the Bodhisatta approached her.

“Who are you?” he asked kindly. “And what do you seek from me?”

The goddess, confident in her own worth, answered, “I am a daughter of the gods of the East. I have come to bathe in the sacred lake. I am more virtuous than the other, and I believe I should be allowed to bathe first.”

The Bodhisatta then asked her, “Tell me, what kind of people do you associate with in your heavenly realm?”

The goddess answered without hesitation, “My friends are unruly, greedy, cruel, dishonest, and arrogant. I spend my time with those who are selfish and full of pride.”

Upon hearing these words, the Bodhisatta’s heart grew heavy. He saw that this goddess, despite her beauty and celestial origin, was not a reflection of true virtue. “You may go,” he said, gently but firmly, “I do not believe you are worthy of my special couch.”

The goddess, in shock and disbelief, turned away and left, returning to the heavens.

A Pure Heart and a Noble Demeanor

Soon after, the second goddess arrived. She was bathed in a golden light, her beauty shining like the sun. She descended with grace and poise, and when she stood before the Bodhisatta, she did so with deep respect. The merchant asked her the same questions he had asked the first goddess.

“Who are you, and what do you seek from me?”

“I am a daughter of the gods of the West,” she answered softly, her voice filled with kindness. “I wish to bathe in the sacred lake, and I believe I am worthy of this honor.”

The Bodhisatta then asked, “What kind of people do you associate with in your heavenly home?”

The second goddess smiled and answered, “I love those who are kind, humble, honest, and responsible. My friends are gentle, truthful, and peaceful. I spend my time with those who are virtuous and pure in heart.”

Pleased by her words and the calmness of her demeanor, the Bodhisatta invited the second goddess to stay the night on his special couch and bed, offering her the hospitality he had reserved for those with the highest moral standards. The goddess accepted with grace, and in the morning, she returned to the heavens and bathed in the sacred lake.

The Moral of the Story

This story of the Bodhisatta and the two heavenly daughters teaches us an important lesson about the value of true virtue. External beauty and celestial lineage are not enough to make one worthy of honor. It is one’s actions, character, and the company one keeps that determine their true worth. The first goddess, despite her outward beauty, revealed her lack of moral purity through her association with the unrighteous. The second goddess, in contrast, embodied humility, kindness, and goodness, and was deemed worthy of the Bodhisatta’s special hospitality.

In life, we should not be fooled by appearances or superficial qualities. True virtue is found in one’s actions and in the company one keeps. It is those who live with honesty, kindness, and integrity who are truly worthy of respect and honor.

The Buddha’s Teaching to His Disciples

In the time of the Buddha, the story of the merchant’s test of virtue was shared with a group of disciples who were questioning the righteousness of Anathapindika, one of the Buddha’s wealthiest and most generous supporters. The Buddha recounted the story of the righteous merchant from his past life to demonstrate that Anathapindika and his family were indeed living virtuous lives. Just as the Bodhisatta in his past life was known for maintaining a pure and righteous home, so too did Anathapindika lead a life of goodness, grounded in true virtue.

The goddess who was deemed worthy of the Bodhisatta’s special bed and couch was later reborn as Uppalavanna, one of the Buddha’s most respected female disciples, known for her wisdom and purity.

Final Thought

This story reminds us that virtue is not a matter of birth or outward appearance. It is the inner qualities of kindness, humility, and integrity that define one’s true worth. Just as the Bodhisatta tested the heavenly daughters, we too should be cautious in how we judge others. In the end, it is not the outer beauty or grandeur of a person that matters, but the purity of their heart and actions.