Jataka Tales 23: Bhojajaniya

Bhojajaniya Jataka This story concerned a monk who gave up persevering and it was told by the Buddha at Jetavana. Then the Buddha had addressed the monks and said: "Monks, in times past, wise and good people did not give up even in unfavourable and dangerous surroundings; even when they were wounded they did not give up." Then he told this story from the past.

Story from the past Once when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta came to life as a thoroughbred Sindh horse. He was made the king's riding horse amidst all glory and power.

He was well looked after, feeding only on three-year old rice served on a very valuable golden dish; and he lived in stable that was sweet-smelling.

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Crimson curtains hung round his stable and above was a canopy studded with stars of gold.

The walls were decorated with wreaths and garlands of fragrant flowers. And the stable was always lighted with a lamp filled with scented oil.

The neighbouring kingdoms coveted the kingdom of Benares. Once seven kings surrounded the city and demanded that Brahmadatta battled with them or yield his kingdom to them. The king and his ministers met in council and they advised him not to do battle himself but to send out a knight instead. Should the latter failed to drive away the enemy, they could again at the next step.

Then he sent for his knight. He asked him: "Can you fight the seven kings, my knight?" He replied: "Lend me your noble horse and I'll fight not only them but all the kings in the land."

Pleased with the answer the king readily agreed.

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Leaving the king's presence and the upper chambers he went down to ready the horse and prepare for battle. The horse wore armour and he too was well armoured.

Girding on his sword and mounted on his noble steed he passed out of the city gate with his men. With a lightning charge he swept through the first camp and captured its king. Returning to do battle again he broke through the second, third, fourth and fifth camps. He had now captured five kings.

Returning to the fray and had just captured the sixth king when his noble war-horse received a wound. Blood streamed from its wound and caused it sharp pain. Seeing the horse was wounded the knight dismounted at the king's gate, removed its armour and started to arm another horse. As the Bodhisatta lay full length on his side he saw and understood the knight's actions.

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He thought: "That other horse will never break through the seventh camp and cause the capture of the seventh king. He will undo all that I have accomplished. This peerless knight will be slain. The king, too, will fall into the hands of the enemy. I alone, and no other horse, can break down the seventh camp and help capture the seventh king."

As he lay there he called out to the knight: "Sir knight, there is no other horse except I who can help you break down the seventh camp and capture the seventh king. I will not throw away all that I have done. Help me set upon my feet and to be clad again in my armour." Then he spoke thus:"Though weakened, there is no horse but me who could win the battle."

The knight had the Bodhisatta set upon his feet, bound up his wound and armoured him again.

Mounted on this magnificent destrier, he broke down the seventh camp and captured its king.

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Then they led the Bodhisatta up to the king's gate, and the king came out to look upon him.

Then said the Great Being to the king: "Great king, slay not the seven kings. Bind them by oath and set them free. Let the knight enjoy the honour due to us both.

It is not right that a warrior who had presented you with seven captive kings be brought low. For yourself, exercise charity, keep the Precepts, and rule your kingdom in righteousness and justice." When he finished speaking they took off his armour; but as they were doing so he passed away.

The king had the body cremated with respect.

He bestowed great honour upon the knight, and sent the seven kings back to their homes after they had each taken an oath not to make war on him again. So he ruled his kingdom in righteousness and justice.

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End of story of the past Then the Buddha said: "Monks, in bygone days the wise and good did not give up even in the midst of hostile surroundings; and even when wounded grievously they did not give in.

Whereas you have devoted yourself to a doctrine that saves-how come that you give up persevering?" After this he discoursed on the Four Truths.

At the close the faint-hearted monk won Arahatship. His lesson ended. The Buddha showed the connection and identified the birth.

He said: "Ananda was the king of those days, Sariputta was the knight, and I, myself, was the thoroughbred Sindh horse."

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