Bodhisatta’s Wisdom on Composure in Adversity

In this Jataka tale, the Bodhisatta was once the son of a village householder. One day, while he and his friends were playing under a banyan tree, a poor, elderly doctor saw a snake sleeping in the fork of the tree. The doctor, desiring to profit from curing snakebites, wanted the boys to get bitten so that he could charge for treatment. He tricked the Bodhisatta by claiming there was a hedgehog in the tree and that the boy should catch it. Without thinking or checking, the Bodhisatta climbed the tree and grabbed the creature by the neck.

However, upon realizing it was a snake, the Bodhisatta flung it away in shock, and the snake fell on the doctor’s neck, biting him. The doctor died instantly from the snakebite.

When the doctor’s friends learned of his death, they blamed the boys, accusing them of causing the man’s demise. The boys were arrested and taken in chains to be judged by the king. As they were led to the court, the Bodhisatta instructed his friends to remain calm and show no fear. He assured them that he would save them. Following his advice, the boys appeared carefree and at peace, which intrigued the king.

The king, noticing their calmness, asked them why they were not distressed despite being in such a dire situation. The Bodhisatta explained that resisting fate was futile and that grieving would only benefit one’s adversaries, who delight in seeing others in pain. He advised the king that it is better to face challenges with composure and wisdom rather than letting grief take over.

After hearing the Bodhisatta’s wise words, the king judged the boys innocent and, impressed by the Bodhisatta’s wisdom, made him one of his advisors. The other boys were also given positions in the palace.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

The king in this story was an earlier birth of Ananda, one of the Buddha’s closest disciples. The other boys were earlier births of some of the Buddha’s other disciples. This story was told by the Buddha to teach wisdom to his disciples and show them that he had always been wise, not just in his present life but in his past lives as well.

Moral of the Story

The moral of this Jataka is about the wisdom of accepting fate and the importance of composure in the face of adversity. Instead of grieving or resisting inevitable circumstances, it is wiser to face them with peace and equanimity. The story also highlights that grief can often feed into the hands of one’s enemies, allowing them to find pleasure in the suffering of others. Therefore, it is better to remain unaffected by external events and stay grounded in wisdom.

Lesson on Wisdom and Leadership

The Bodhisatta’s calmness and wisdom in this situation earned him the respect of the king, leading to his promotion as an advisor. The king’s response to the Bodhisatta’s wise counsel teaches the value of clear-headedness and practical wisdom in leadership. It is not mere emotional reactions but rational thinking and composure under pressure that earn respect and lead to success.