The Merchant and the River Spirit: Generosity and Forgiveness

In this Jataka, the Bodhisatta is a wealthy merchant who embarks on a business trip with his younger brother. After earning one thousand coins, they stop to rest by the Ganges River while waiting for a boat. During their break, the Bodhisatta throws his leftover food into the river for the fish and dedicates the merit of this good deed to the river spirit. Because of his generosity, the Bodhisatta’s merit greatly enhances the power of the river spirit.

The Bodhisatta’s younger brother, however, is a wicked person. Jealous of his brother’s good fortune, he plans to steal the Bodhisatta’s share of the money. To execute his scheme, he substitutes a parcel of gravel that looks exactly like the money bundle. While on the boat in the middle of the river, he pretends to stumble and accidentally drops the “money” into the river, claiming it has been lost. The Bodhisatta, unaware of the trick, forgives his brother, believing that the loss is unintentional.

What the brother doesn’t know is that he has accidentally dropped the actual money into the river, and the river spirit, in gratitude for the Bodhisatta’s earlier act of merit, decides to intervene. The spirit orders a large fish to swallow the money parcel. The fish is later caught by a fisherman near the Bodhisatta’s home. The fisherman attempts to sell the fish for a very high price, one thousand rupees and seven annas, but people mock him for his asking price. Eventually, the fisherman offers the fish to the Bodhisatta for just seven annas, which the Bodhisatta accepts.

When the fish is cut open by the Bodhisatta’s wife, the money is discovered inside. The Bodhisatta is amazed at the turn of events. At that moment, the river spirit appears and thanks the Bodhisatta for his generosity, revealing how she had ensured the safe return of the money. The spirit also explains that the Bodhisatta’s brother had tried to steal the money, and she suggests that such a wicked person should not be rewarded. However, the Bodhisatta, in his compassion, disagrees and decides to give his brother half of the money.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the Buddha’s time, the Bodhisatta’s brother is identified as an earlier incarnation of a dishonest merchant. The Buddha tells this story to a merchant who has been living a dishonest life, hoping to inspire him to adopt virtuous conduct and abandon his deceitful ways.

Reflection on the Story

This Jataka teaches a few important lessons. First, it illustrates the power of merit and the ways in which generosity can lead to unexpected positive outcomes. The Bodhisatta’s act of sharing his food with the fish and giving merit to the river spirit resulted in divine intervention that returned his lost money.

Second, the story highlights the Bodhisatta’s unwavering virtue. Despite his brother’s dishonesty and attempt to deceive him, the Bodhisatta remains compassionate and forgives him, choosing to share the money rather than withhold it in anger or retaliation. This act of generosity and forgiveness underscores the Bodhisatta’s commitment to moral integrity, even in the face of betrayal.

Lastly, the story serves as a moral lesson for the dishonest merchant, urging him to reconsider his actions and adopt a more virtuous path. The Buddha uses this tale to illustrate the consequences of dishonesty and the benefits of living an ethical life.