When the Exalted One was once at Shravasti, the king of the Kosalas

Baby Child

 

• When the Exalted One was once at Shravasti, the king of the Kosalas, Pasendi, had come to visit him. 
• While the king was engaged in a conversation with the Blessed Lord a messenger from the Palace arrived and approaching the king, announced to his private ear that Queen Mallika had given birth to a daughter. 
• The king appeared very sad and depressed. The Blessed Lord asked the king the reason of his sadness. 
• The king replied that he had just received the sad news that Queen Mallika had given birth to a daughter.
• Thereupon the Exalted One, discerning the matter said : ' A woman child, 0 lord of man, may prove even a better offspring than a male. For she may grow up wise and virtuous, her husband's mother reverencing true wife, a daughter. 
• The boy that she may bear may do great deeds and rule great realms, yea, such a son of a noble wife becomes his country's guide.