The Gadrabha-Panha Jataka: Wisdom Beyond Rank and Age

In a distant past, the Bodhisatta was born as a young boy of extraordinary intelligence, already displaying remarkable wisdom at the age of seven. One day, King Vedeha, having heard of the boy’s brilliance, invited him to the palace, hoping to make him one of his advisors. As the Bodhisatta traveled to the palace in a magnificent chariot, a curious event occurred.

Along the way, the Bodhisatta spotted a male donkey by the side of the road. With a playful, yet insightful mind, he ordered a strong man to tie the donkey’s mouth shut, place it in a bag, and carry it to the palace on his shoulder. Upon arriving at the palace, the Bodhisatta was warmly welcomed by the king and encouraged to take a seat wherever he pleased. However, the Bodhisatta did something unexpected.

When the king instructed his father to stand and offer his seat to the young boy, the Bodhisatta, in a bold move, took his father’s place. The king’s four senior advisors, witnessing this act, burst into laughter and mocked the boy, calling him a fool for disrespecting his father in such a manner.

This reaction caused King Vedeha to feel upset, so he turned to the Bodhisatta and asked, “Do you think that the father is always better than his son?” The Bodhisatta seized the opportunity to teach a lesson. He asked the king to value the donkey he had seen earlier and to determine its worth. The king, somewhat puzzled, said that it was worth no more than eight coins.

Then, with a smile, the Bodhisatta asked, “And what if this donkey had a son, a mule, and that mule had a thoroughbred horse as its mate—what would its worth be then?” The king, realizing his mistake, acknowledged that such a mule and thoroughbred offspring would be priceless.

The Bodhisatta’s clever logic proved that the father is not always superior to the son. To drive the point home, the Bodhisatta cheekily said, “If you truly believe the father is always better, then perhaps you should hire my father as your advisor instead of me.” This witty remark silenced the room, and the audience erupted in applause. The four advisors, who had been embarrassed by the Bodhisatta’s sharp wisdom, could not suppress their frustration.

The king, now thoroughly impressed by the Bodhisatta’s wisdom, not only made him his fifth advisor but also adopted him as his son. As a gesture of gratitude, King Vedeha showered the Bodhisatta’s parents with valuable ornaments and granted them command over a village.

The Buddha’s Teaching

In the time of the Buddha, some of his disciples were discussing the vast reach of his wisdom. They marveled at how the Buddha had humbled and converted a wide array of beings, from brahmins and ascetics to thieves, gods, and even goblins. Hearing their discussion, the Buddha shared this story from the Gadrabha-Panha Jataka to remind them that his wisdom had been perfected over many lifetimes, and that even in his past lives, he had demonstrated the same supreme understanding.

The story reveals that King Vedeha, who had been amazed by the Bodhisatta’s wisdom, was an earlier birth of Laludayi, an elder disciple of the Buddha who, in his present life, was so shy that he struggled to speak in the presence of more than one person. Laludayi often found it difficult to express himself clearly, sometimes saying one thing when he meant another.

The king’s chief advisor, who had been humiliated by the Bodhisatta’s cleverness, was an earlier birth of Saccaka, a Jain who later became a disciple of the Buddha. The other three advisors in the story—those who laughed at the Bodhisatta and mocked his wisdom—were earlier births of Potthapada, Ambattha, and Pilotika, three ascetics who, in their future lives, would become followers of the Buddha.

Reflection and Wisdom

The Gadrabha-Panha Jataka is a powerful lesson in the nature of wisdom and respect. The Bodhisatta’s ability to use logic and humor to expose the king’s flawed thinking about fathers and sons serves as a reminder that wisdom is not bound by age or rank. The Bodhisatta’s actions show that wisdom can often come from unexpected places, and that true knowledge is not determined by one’s birth or position.

Furthermore, the Bodhisatta’s playful yet insightful questioning challenges conventional assumptions and encourages critical thinking. His wisdom, though applied in a seemingly cheeky manner, ultimately helps the king and his court see beyond their limited perspectives. This reflects the Buddha’s teachings that wisdom is not something to be hoarded or restricted to a select few but is a quality that can be cultivated and nurtured by anyone, regardless of their social status or background.

Finally, the story emphasizes that true wisdom and humility go hand in hand. The Bodhisatta, despite his exceptional intellect, remained humble and used his wisdom to uplift others rather than to elevate himself. His actions remind us that wisdom should always be used for the benefit of all beings, not for personal gain or status.