Dipi Jataka: The Power of Action Over Words in Danger

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was an ascetic living in the Himalayas. One day, he traveled to a city to fetch salt and vinegar, setting up a leaf hut in a small mountain valley. Nearby, some goatherders brought their flock to graze. That evening, one female goat got separated from the herd. As she tried to find her way back, a hungry panther appeared, blocking her path. The goat, knowing she could not outrun the panther, first tried to charm it with friendly words, then tried to intimidate it, and finally begged for mercy. However, none of her attempts worked, and the panther eventually devoured her.

The Bodhisatta, witnessing this sad event, observed the goat’s helplessness and the unyielding nature of the predator. This story illustrates the futility of relying on sweet words, threats, or pleas when facing a true danger without the means to defend oneself.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha: A Different Outcome

In the Buddha’s time, Moggallana, one of the Buddha’s chief disciples, had a similar experience. He was living in a leaf hut in a valley near a town, where he witnessed a similar scene. A female goat was left behind by the herd, and a hungry panther blocked her way. This time, the goat did not try to plead or threaten the panther. Instead, she charged at it with her horns lowered, successfully avoiding the panther’s attack and rejoining her herd.

The next day, when Moggallana shared this experience with the Buddha, the Buddha explained that the goat and the panther had met before in earlier lifetimes, but the outcomes had been different. In this life, the goat’s decisive action allowed her to escape, whereas in her previous incarnation, her attempts to talk her way out of the danger led to her demise.

Moral of the Story:

The Dipi Jataka teaches the importance of taking the right action in the face of danger. Words alone—whether pleading, threatening, or charming—are often insufficient against true threats. The outcome of situations depends on the nature of one’s response: passive or decisive. This story encourages wisdom in dealing with challenges, and shows that in some cases, proactive courage is the best course of action. The Bodhisatta’s witness of the goat’s fate and the later example set by Moggallana serve as reflections on how our responses shape our future outcomes.