This story takes place in the city of Sravasti.

At that time, King Ajatasatru of Magadha (son of Vaidehi) gathered an army of four divisions and launched an attack against King Pasenadi of Kosala, targeting the country of Kasi. When King Pasenadi heard about this, he thought: "King Ajatasatru of Magadha has gathered an army of four divisions and is attacking me, aiming for Kasi." So, King Pasenadi also gathered an army of four divisions and counterattacked King Ajatasatru of Magadha. The two armies clashed in Kasi. In this war, King Ajatasatru of Magadha defeated King Pasenadi. The defeated King Pasenadi retreated to his capital city, Sravasti.

That morning, many bhikkhus (monks) dressed in their robes, took their alms bowls and outer robes, and entered Sravasti for alms. After collecting alms, they returned to see the Buddha. They paid homage to the Buddha and sat to one side. Then, these bhikkhus said to the Buddha:

"Lord, King Ajatasatru of Magadha gathered an army of four divisions and launched an attack against King Pasenadi of Kosala, targeting Kasi. After hearing this, King Pasenadi also gathered an army of four divisions to counterattack. The two armies fought in Kasi, and King Ajatasatru of Magadha defeated King Pasenadi. The defeated King Pasenadi has retreated to his capital city, Sravasti."

The Buddha replied:

"Bhikkhus, King Ajatasatru of Magadha has made poor choices in friendship, associating with harmful friends and evil people. On the other hand, King Pasenadi of Kosala has made good friends and associates with virtuous people. Tonight, the defeated King Pasenadi will surely sleep uneasily."

After saying this, the Buddha recited this verse:

"Victory breeds hatred,

The defeated sleep in pain.

Letting go of victory and defeat,

The peaceful one sleeps at ease."

[Detailed Explanation]

1. This story takes place between two powerful ancient Indian kingdoms: Magadha and Kosala.

2. Ajatasatru is the king of Magadha, a controversial figure often described in Buddhist texts as ambitious but eventually converting to Buddhism.

3. King Pasenadi is the ruler of Kosala, usually portrayed in Buddhist texts as a supporter and devout follower of the Buddha.

4. Kasi was a small kingdom at the time, likely the target of dispute between the two larger kingdoms.

5. The "four divisions of the army" refers to the standard composition of ancient Indian armies: elephants, cavalry, chariots, and infantry.

6. The Buddha's comment emphasizes the importance of friendship, implying that Ajatasatru's victory might be short-lived due to his harmful associations.

7. The final verse profoundly points out the nature of war: even victory brings suffering (through hatred), while true peace comes from transcending the mindset of winning and losing.

This story not only describes the political situation in ancient India but also conveys the Buddha's teachings on peace, proper friendships, and mental tranquility. It reminds us that true victory lies not in conquering others, but in conquering one's own greed and hatred.

The story contains profound wisdom about life, inviting us to explore its deeper meanings:

1. The nature of power and conflict

2. The deep impact of cause and effect in relationships

3. The relativity of victory and defeat

4. The essence of inner peace

5. The balance between wisdom and compassion

6. The true goal of life

7. The integration of spiritual practice and daily life

This story is not just a record of a historical event, but a mirror reflecting the complexity of human nature and the truth of life. It invites us to reflect on our own lifestyle, values, and relationships, encouraging us to seek true inner peace and wisdom. In this world full of competition and conflict, the Buddha's teachings point us towards a path of true happiness and peace. By deeply understanding and practicing these insights, we can find balance in our daily lives, transcend superficial notions of winning and losing, and reach a deeper level of life experience.