The Temptation of Isisinga: The Alambusa Jataka

The Alambusa Jataka (Jataka #523) recounts the tale of the Bodhisatta’s previous life as an ascetic living in the Himalayas. This story explores the themes of temptation, the dangers of sensual desire, and the power of self-control. It also touches on the idea of overcoming external challenges—especially those orchestrated by powerful beings—through steadfastness and inner strength.

The Plot

The Birth of Isisinga

In this Jataka, the Bodhisatta is an ascetic living in seclusion in the mountains. One day, a deer drinks water that has been mixed with his semen. As a result, the deer becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son, whom the Bodhisatta names Isisinga. Despite being old, the Bodhisatta raises the boy with affection and love, imparting wisdom to him about life, virtue, and the dangers of temptation.

Before the Bodhisatta’s death, he warns Isisinga about the dangers of sensual pleasures, especially the temptation of beautiful women. He tells his son that women, as beautiful as flowers, could easily lead him into ruin if he could not resist their allure.

Isisinga’s Virtue and Indra’s Fear

After the Bodhisatta dies, Isisinga remains true to the ascetic lifestyle his father had taught him. He practices mystic meditation, maintains his vows, and lives a life of self-discipline, even becoming so virtuous that it is said the very home of Indra, the king of the gods, shakes in response. Indra, sensing that Isisinga’s virtue is so great that it might eventually lead to his overthrow, grows concerned. He fears that Isisinga’s exceptional spiritual power could lead him to dethrone the gods and take Indra’s place.

In an attempt to destroy Isisinga’s virtue and prevent him from becoming a threat, Indra orders the most beautiful nymph in heaven, Alambusa, to seduce him. Though Alambusa is reluctant to carry out this task, she is powerless to refuse Indra’s command.

Alambusa’s Temptation

When Alambusa arrives in the Himalayas and appears before Isisinga, she is met with a flattering response. Isisinga, captivated by her beauty, becomes entranced and begins describing her physical attributes in great detail: her eyes like gunja berries, her breasts swollen like pumpkins, and her thighs tapering like an elephant’s trunk. Alambusa, recognizing the effect she is having on him, suggests that they retire to his hut to be alone together. To spur him further, she playfully runs away, and Isisinga, caught up in the moment, chases her.

They eventually embrace, and Isisinga, lost in passion, spends three years in her arms, completely overwhelmed by desire.

Realization and Repentance

After three years, Isisinga awakens from his dreamlike bliss and remembers the warning his father had given him about the dangers of women and sensual indulgence. Realizing his mistake, he is filled with remorse and resolves to restore his lost virtue. He shuts down his sensual desires and begins to meditate, seeking to regain the spiritual clarity he had once possessed.

Impressed by Isisinga’s self-discipline and moved by the shame of having tempted him, Alambusa confesses the truth of her mission. She reveals that she was sent by Indra to destroy his virtue. Feeling deep guilt, she throws herself at Isisinga’s feet, asking for his forgiveness. Isisinga, embodying the very compassion and self-control he had been raised to practice, graciously forgives her.

Alambusa, in turn, returns to heaven and is rewarded by Indra. She uses her reward to make a wish, asking Indra to never force her to carry out such a task again. Indra grants her wish, and she is never again asked to seduce someone for the sake of destroying their virtue.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the Buddha’s time, Isisinga and Alambusa are identified as earlier births of one of the Buddha’s disciples and his former wife. In this later life, the disciple struggles with the hardships of monastic life. He is given poor food, such as lumpy gruel with spoiled or burnt ingredients, and begins to miss the comforts of his previous life.

The disciple, feeling weakened and disillusioned, starts to return to his wife, where he receives delicious rice with sauce and curry, which makes him long for his former life. Encouraged by his wife, he contemplates leaving the Sangha and returning to his old ways.

Upon hearing of this, the Buddha tells him the story of Isisinga and Alambusa, revealing that in a previous life, his own wife had almost caused him to fall away from his quest for enlightenment. However, just as Isisinga overcame his temptation and restored his virtue, so too could the disciple resist the pull of worldly attachments.

Hearing the Buddha’s teaching, the disciple gains new understanding and renewed commitment to the monastic life. He decides to remain in the Sangha, understanding that his past temptation was part of his spiritual journey and that self-control and vigilance are essential in the quest for liberation.

Conclusion

The Alambusa Jataka teaches several important lessons, including the dangers of sensual attachment, the power of self-control, and the importance of spiritual discipline. The story also highlights the influence of external forces (such as Indra’s attempt to derail Isisinga) and the inner strength needed to resist temptation. Ultimately, the Jataka reinforces the idea that true virtue comes from inner peace and mindfulness, and that one must remain vigilant in the pursuit of enlightenment, despite the allure of worldly distractions.

The story of Isisinga and Alambusa also serves as a cautionary tale about the power of desire and the transformative potential of repentance and forgiveness. The final redemption of Alambusa—who, after her repentance, is granted a wish by Indra—shows that even those who have caused harm can find a path to atonement and spiritual growth.