The Somanassa Jataka: The Tale of a False Ascetic and a Son’s Rejection

In this Jataka, the Bodhisatta is born as a prince to a king who, before the prince’s birth, had shown great hospitality to a band of ascetics. These ascetics stayed with the king during the rainy season, and when they departed, their leader predicted that the king’s queen would soon conceive a son. One of the ascetics, seeing an opportunity for personal gain, stayed behind, feigned illness, and told the king he had seen in a vision that the queen would give birth to a son. The king, overjoyed at the news, welcomed the ascetic into his home.

The Bodhisatta was born and grew up in luxury, but at the age of seven, the king had to leave to quell a rebellion, leaving his son in charge of caring for the ascetic. When the Bodhisatta met the ascetic, he found him living a worldly life, growing and selling vegetables and herbs in the market. Disapproving of this, the Bodhisatta left without showing respect.

The ascetic, determined to protect his position, plotted to ruin the Bodhisatta. He staged an attack on himself, smashing his own belongings and accusing the prince of the assault. The king, without question, ordered the execution of his son. However, when the Bodhisatta was captured, he insisted on being brought before his father. There, he denied the charges and explained that the ascetic was a false man. The king, investigating the truth, discovered the ascetic’s deceit when money was found in his hut, leading the people to kill him.

The Bodhisatta, disgusted by his father’s rashness and foolishness, publicly rebuked him for being so easily swayed. He declared that he would leave home and become an ascetic. Despite his mother’s pleas and the king’s regret, the Bodhisatta left, seeking solace in the Himalayas, where he built a hut and lived under the care of various gods.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In the Buddha’s time, the false ascetic in this story is identified as Devadatta, a former disciple of the Buddha who later became his rival and tried to kill him multiple times. The Buddha shared this story with his disciples to show them that Devadatta’s malevolent actions were not new but had been part of his past behavior as well.

The Bodhisatta’s mother and the leader of the ascetics in this story are identified as the Buddha’s birth mother and Sariputta, one of the Buddha’s foremost disciples.

Moral of the Tale:

The Somanassa Jataka teaches several important lessons:

1. The Dangers of Rash Judgment: The king’s hasty decision to execute his son without investigating the matter reflects how easily people can be deceived or misled, particularly when they fail to question those they trust. This highlights the importance of discernment and the need for thorough investigation before taking serious actions.
2. The Corrupting Influence of False Teachers: The false ascetic, who pretends to be a holy man, manipulates the king and the prince for personal gain. This warns of the dangers posed by individuals who use religion or spirituality for selfish purposes, rather than for the genuine welfare of others.
3. The Power of Moral Integrity: The Bodhisatta’s decision to leave his home and become an ascetic after being wronged reflects his commitment to moral integrity and spiritual growth. Despite the betrayal by his father, he follows a path of truth, renouncing his worldly life to seek deeper wisdom and understanding.
4. The Importance of Personal Responsibility and Reconciliation: The Bodhisatta’s public rebuke of his father serves as a call for personal accountability and reconciliation. While the king regrets his actions, the Bodhisatta’s departure signals the importance of taking responsibility for one’s own decisions and the impact those decisions have on others.

Through this Jataka, the Buddha teaches about the value of wisdom, discernment, and the dangers of manipulation, while also illustrating the Bodhisatta’s qualities of integrity, courage, and renunciation.