Cave No. 9
Identification: Schlingloff 2013.—
A brahman named Mahāgovinda was the prime minister of a king. After the king’s death, the king’s son did not want the responsibility of ruling over the vast kingdom. Therefore, Mahāgovinda divided the kingdom among the son and six other princes while retaining the responsibility of superintendence. His skill in governance earned him a good reputation and even a relationship with God Brahmā. Soon, he embraced the path of seclusion and meditation, impelling Brahmā to come down and visit him. From Brahmā he sought answers to his queries about the other world. The event made Mahāgovinda renounce his office and the world; and the princes followed suit.—Mahāgovinda, the brahman prime minister, was none other than the Buddha in his former existence.
—Source: Singh 2019, 31-33; Schlingloff 2013, I, 21
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