The Dhajavihetha Jataka: Wisdom, Respect for the Wise, and Redemption

The Dhajavihetha Jataka is a tale that revolves around the themes of justice, respect for the wise, and the consequences of blind ignorance. In this story, the Bodhisatta takes the form of Indra, the king of the gods, to intervene in a critical situation where a king’s misguided actions were leading his people down a path of spiritual decay. The story unfolds as a wicked wizard and a king’s poor decisions threaten the moral fabric of society, only to be corrected through divine wisdom and the power of respect for religious teachings.

The Wicked Wizard and the King’s Desperation

The tale begins with a tragic event in the royal palace. A wizard, using his magical powers, sneaks into the palace at midnight and rapes the queen. The king, heartbroken and enraged by the violation of his queen, is determined to find the perpetrator. He instructs the queen to mark the wizard the next time he comes to her, using a bowl of vermillion. The following night, the queen marks the wizard’s back with a handprint, and the king’s men set out to find him.

The men trace the wizard’s activities and discover that by day, he is a sun-worshipping ascetic who lives in a cemetery. When the king’s men surround him, the wizard uses his magical powers to escape, flying away. In the aftermath, the king, in his anger and confusion, orders the banishment of all holy men from the kingdom. This act of hostility toward the wise spiritual teachers leads to a drastic decline in the kingdom’s moral and spiritual life.

The Kingdom’s Moral Decay

The king’s decision to rid the kingdom of its religious leaders has dire consequences. Without the guidance of the wise, the people grow corrupt. They stop making offerings, cease following the moral precepts, and live in ignorance and vice. As a result, they are doomed to suffer in hell after death. This moral decay is not only detrimental to the people but also to the spiritual balance of the world. The Bodhisatta, watching from his heavenly realm, notices that fewer souls are being born in heaven—a sign that the earth’s spiritual condition is deteriorating.

Indra’s Intervention: Restoring the Path to Righteousness

Realizing that only he could restore the kingdom to its former moral glory, the Bodhisatta decides to take action. He summons the eldest private Buddha, a being who has attained enlightenment but does not teach the path to others, and together they descend to earth. They appear before the king, with the Bodhisatta taking the form of a handsome young disciple, and the private Buddha as an elderly ascetic. The king, seeing the young man’s beauty and the old ascetic’s unattractiveness, is puzzled and asks why the handsome disciple is venerating the old man.

The Bodhisatta, revealing himself as Indra, explains that it is not the outward appearance but the wisdom of the wise that deserves respect. He teaches the king that reverence for religious teachers brings great merit and helps lead people toward the heavenly realms. He also explains that the wizard who raped the queen was a false ascetic and not a true religious leader. The Bodhisatta’s wisdom and the teachings of the private Buddha convince the king of his error.

The King’s Repentance and Return to Righteousness

Humbled by the divine wisdom he has received, the king realizes the grave mistake he has made by banishing the holy men from his kingdom. He immediately rectifies his wrong by inviting true religious teachers back into the kingdom, proclaiming his decision through the city’s drum. From that point onward, the king begins to live virtuously, committing many righteous acts and restoring his kingdom to a state of moral and spiritual health.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the Buddha’s time, some of his disciples were discussing how the Buddha always acted for the welfare of the world, putting others’ needs before his own. When the Buddha overheard this conversation, he shared the Dhajavihetha Jataka with them to demonstrate that in past lives, he had always acted in the interest of others, just as he did in his present life.

The king in the Jataka story, who made the decision to banish the holy men from his kingdom, was later reborn as Ananda, one of the Buddha’s closest and most devoted disciples. This connection shows that even in his past lives, Ananda had the potential for great wisdom and compassion, and that he was destined to play a key role in the Buddha’s mission.

The Role of Wisdom and Reverence in the Story

The core message of the Dhajavihetha Jataka revolves around the importance of wisdom, respect for the wise, and the dangers of ignorance. The king’s actions were based on emotional reactions and a lack of understanding, leading to the downfall of his kingdom. It was only through divine intervention, through the Bodhisatta’s wisdom, that the king was able to see the error of his ways and restore peace and righteousness.

Lessons from the Story

1. Respect for the Wise: The Bodhisatta teaches that respecting and venerating those with true wisdom—whether they are religious teachers or elders—is crucial for spiritual and moral development. Disrespecting them leads to ignorance and suffering.
2. The Dangers of Acting Without Understanding: The king’s rash decision to banish the holy men without understanding the consequences caused great harm to his kingdom. This serves as a warning about the dangers of acting out of anger or ignorance.
3. Wisdom Brings Redemption: The Bodhisatta’s intervention shows that wisdom and guidance from the wise can bring about redemption. Through the Bodhisatta’s teachings, the king was able to repent for his mistake and restore his kingdom’s spiritual health.
4. The Power of Divine Guidance: The story emphasizes that divine beings like the Bodhisatta, who embody wisdom and compassion, play a crucial role in guiding humanity back to the righteous path when they go astray.

In Conclusion

The Dhajavihetha Jataka is a powerful story about the importance of wisdom, reverence for the wise, and the dangers of acting without understanding. It teaches us that true spiritual progress comes from respect for those who hold knowledge, and that acting impulsively or out of ignorance can lead to destruction. The Bodhisatta’s intervention serves as a reminder that divine guidance can help us find our way back when we stray from the righteous path, leading us toward moral and spiritual enlightenment.