Bodhisatta’s Wisdom: A Jataka Story of Riddles and Love

In this story, the Bodhisatta was once a wise advisor to King Vedeha. One day, while the Bodhisatta sat on the royal throne, the goddess living in the royal parasol presented him with four riddles. She asked him to solve these enigmas, and the Bodhisatta answered each one with ease, showcasing his profound understanding.

1. First Riddle
   “He strikes with hands and feet, beats the face; and he is dearer than a husband.”
   The Bodhisatta explained that this referred to a young child playing with his mother. The child strikes, beats, and pulls her hair, but the mother, full of love, never reacts with anger, and instead holds her child close with affection.
2. Second Riddle
   “She abuses him roundly, yet she wishes him to be near; and he is dearer than a husband.”
   This riddle referred to a mother who, when her young child refuses to do chores or go as asked, may scold him, but still loves him dearly. Even when upset, she cannot bear to be apart from him and searches for him when he runs away.
3. Third Riddle
   “She reviles him without cause and criticizes without reason; yet he is dearer than a husband.”
   The Bodhisatta explained that this described the relationship between a woman and her lover, where, despite her unfounded criticisms and complaints, their bond continues to grow stronger, showing the deep affection and attachment between them.
4. Fourth Riddle
   “People provide food, drink, clothes, and lodging, and good men take them away; yet they are dearer than a husband.”
   This referred to the practice of devout people giving alms to religious figures. Though the alms are freely given and nothing is expected in return, the givers cherish the opportunity to provide for those they admire and respect.

The goddess, impressed with the Bodhisatta’s wisdom, along with King Vedeha, rewarded him with perfumes, flowers, gold, and jewels, and the king elevated him to the position of commander-in-chief for his exceptional insight.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha
Years later, some of the Buddha’s disciples were discussing his great wisdom, marveling at his ability to convert and humble a wide range of beings—goblins, gods, thieves, brahmins, and more. Upon hearing this conversation, the Buddha told them this story to remind them that his wisdom had always been supreme, even in his past lives.

The king, King Vedeha, in this story, was an earlier birth of Laludayi, one of the Buddha’s shy disciples, who often struggled to speak clearly in front of more than one person, frequently mixing up his words.

Moral:
True wisdom allows one to see the deeper, often unspoken dynamics of love, devotion, and relationships. It can lead to understanding even the most complex and subtle aspects of life.