The Elephant and the Golden Crab: Wisdom and Courage

The Elephant and the Golden Crab: Wisdom and Courage

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In a past life, the Bodhisatta was an elephant, known for his strength and wisdom. He lived deep in the Himalayas, where a giant golden crab, as large as a threshing floor, resided in a mountain lake. This crab had a deadly reputation, as it would capture and kill any elephant that ventured into the lake, dragging them into the water. One day, the Bodhisatta decided to put an end to the crab’s reign of terror. He led his herd to the lake, but the crab only attacked elephants as they left the water. So, the Bodhisatta had the other elephants leave the lake first, with him remaining behind.

When the Bodhisatta finally started to leave the water, the crab seized him by the leg with its powerful claw. The Bodhisatta pulled with all his might, but the crab’s strength was overwhelming, and it began to drag him into the water. In a fit of rage, the Bodhisatta trumpeted loudly, causing such fear in the other elephants that they scattered, running away in panic. Even his mate, who had been by his side, began to flee. But the Bodhisatta called out to her, asking her to stay close. She regained her composure and, praising the crab as the mightiest creature anywhere, sweetly flattered it.

Seduced by her praise, the crab loosened its grip on the Bodhisatta’s leg. Seizing the opportunity, the Bodhisatta quickly lifted his foot and crushed the crab’s back with a mighty stomp, killing it instantly. The other elephants, hearing the signal, returned in joy and trampled the crab’s remains into bits.

The golden crab’s massive claws were broken off in the battle and sank to the bottom of the lake. In time, during a flood, the claws were carried by the current into the Ganges River. There, some people found them and made two mystical drums from the claws, which came to be known as the Anaka and Alambara drums. The Alambara drum was eventually taken by Indra, the king of the gods, who used it in his celestial realm.


In the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the Buddha’s time, the Bodhisatta’s elephant wife was reborn as a landowner’s wife, known for her beauty and deep devotion to her husband. One day, while they were traveling together to collect debts, they were captured by a band of thieves. The leader of the bandits was immediately struck by the wife’s beauty and, desiring her for himself, considered killing her husband to take her. But the wife, showing courage and wisdom, boldly told the thief that if he killed her husband, she would kill herself. The leader, impressed by her bravery, decided to set the couple free and let them go.

Back home, the landowner and his wife went to pay respect to the Buddha, telling him of the events that had transpired. The husband expressed his gratitude, acknowledging that his wife had saved his life. The Buddha, recognizing the connection, told them this story, explaining that in a past life, the wife had also saved the Bodhisatta’s life, just as she had saved her husband’s life in this birth.


Moral of the Story

The Kakkata Jataka conveys the value of wisdom, strength, and devotion, as exemplified by the Bodhisatta and his mate. The Bodhisatta’s strength and intellect helped him defeat the mighty crab, while his mate’s calm and clever words turned the tide in their favor. Her quick thinking and the power of her words were instrumental in saving the Bodhisatta, showing that sometimes, wisdom and patience can be more powerful than raw strength.

The story also highlights themes of loyalty and courage in the face of danger. Just as the Bodhisatta’s wife saved him in a past life, she also protected her husband in this life with great courage. The Buddha uses this tale to illustrate that acts of bravery and devotion are not confined to a single lifetime, but rather are part of a continuing cycle of actions across many lives. By sharing this story, the Buddha helps his disciples recognize the profound impact of their actions on their future lives and encourages them to act with wisdom and compassion in all circumstances.

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