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Bimbisāra was lodged in prison. Monk Moggallāna appeared in his cell by dint of his supernatural powers and gave out a discourse for him. While in prison, Bimbis ara had desired this, and this desire was fulfilled. Vaidehi, who was Bimbisāra's queen, was imprisoned in another cell. It is on record that at her prayer, the Buddha visited her in the cell(20).
According to the Dhammapada Asthakathā, on accepting on invitation from Mahali, who was an emissary of the Licchavis, the Buddha turned in the direction of Vaisali, King Bimbisāra came to see him off till the bank of the Ganga. On this occasion, he constructed a road from Rajagrha up to the bank of the Ganga decorated it with flowers, and had guest houses erected all along the road. The Buddha took his seat on the boat and the boat sailed. Bimbisāra held the boat and followed it inside water till he was deep into water upto his chin. Then he turned his back. Till the Buddha came back from Vaisali, he remained camped on the bank of the Ganga. After the Buddha's return, he came back to Rajagsha with him(21).
Lalitavistara records that for the Buddha and his monks, travelling by boat was made free of charge for all times.
Awakening of Pakkusāti
The Atthakathā of the Dhātuv ib hanga Sutta of the Majjhima Nikāya has as follows:
Once some traders from Taxila came to the court of King Bimbisāra. In the course of conversation, they spoke highly of the qualities of their king, Pakkusati. In age as well as in qualities, they said, he was similar to King Bimbisāra himself. Soon a friendship was established between the two kings. Traders from Taxila were exempted from the customs at Rajagrha, as traders from Rajagrha were accorded a similar privilege at Taxila. Pakkusati sent five colourful, printed shawls as gifts for King Bimbisara. In return, King Bimbisara had scribed on a golden plate a hymn to the Buddha and sent it to Pakkusati. Pakkusati came to Rajagrha all along on foot in order to see the Buddha and entered into his order as a monk.
