The Jackal and the Bodhisatta: A Tale of Arrogance and Wisdom

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was a king’s chaplain, well-versed in magic. One day, he ventured deep into the forest, far from human ears, to practice a powerful spell known as the Subduing the World Spell. As he recited the spell, a jackal lying in a hole nearby overheard him and memorized the incantation. When the Bodhisatta finished, the jackal jumped out and boasted, “I’ve learned the spell better than you!” and ran off before the Bodhisatta could react.

The Bodhisatta, realizing the danger the jackal posed, gave chase, but the jackal was too fast. Over time, the jackal used the spell to win the heart of a female jackal, and soon after, he became the ruler of all the animals in the forest. His new kingdom included not just jackals, but elephants, lions, tigers, horses, wild boars, deer, rabbits, and more. The jackal grew so arrogant with his newfound power that he set his sights on the human kingdom. He marched his army of animals to the capital city, surrounding it, and demanded the king either surrender or prepare for battle.

The king, terrified by the thought of facing such a fearsome army, sought the counsel of the Bodhisatta. The Bodhisatta, however, was unshaken. He told the king that he could defeat the jackal and climbed up to a tower on the city wall. There, he called out to the jackal, who revealed his plan to make all the lions roar, terrifying the people into surrendering without a fight.

The Bodhisatta, however, was prepared. He instructed the people to stuff their ears with flour to block out the roars of the lions. When the jackal attempted to demonstrate his power by commanding his lion to roar, the roar was so mighty that it frightened the elephants, causing the jackal to fall from his lion’s back. In the chaos that followed, the elephants trampled the jackal to death, and the rest of the animals panicked, stampeding and causing further destruction. Only the lions, loyal to the jackal, were unharmed.

With the city saved, the Bodhisatta opened the city gates, allowing the people to collect the carcasses of the fallen animals. They ate as much fresh meat as they could, but there was so much left over that they invented the process of drying meat to preserve it for later.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In this story, the jackal was an earlier incarnation of Devadatta, a disciple of the Buddha who later became his nemesis. Devadatta, like the jackal, experienced a brief period of success and support, but his arrogance and ambition led to his downfall. Just as the jackal’s reign over the animals was short-lived, so too was Devadatta’s time in the Buddha’s community before his rebellious actions and attempts on the Buddha’s life caused his ultimate disgrace.

The king in the story was an earlier birth of Ananda, the Buddha’s cousin and one of his top disciples. Ananda was known for his close relationship with the Buddha and for his role as a key figure in preserving the teachings of the Buddha.

Moral:

1. The Dangers of Arrogance: The jackal’s rapid rise to power, followed by his equally swift downfall, serves as a warning against arrogance and overconfidence. His belief that he could command the lions and rule over humans was his undoing, much like Devadatta’s overreaching ambitions led to his failure.
2. The Importance of Wisdom and Strategy: The Bodhisatta’s calm and strategic thinking in the face of the jackal’s threats highlights the value of wisdom, foresight, and careful planning. Rather than being intimidated by the jackal’s power, the Bodhisatta used knowledge to turn the situation in the kingdom’s favor.
3. Impermanence of Power: The jackal’s brief reign and subsequent destruction remind us that power, no matter how grand or sudden, is impermanent. True success lies not in the accumulation of power, but in wisdom, humility, and moral integrity.
4. The Power of Compassion and Justice: The Bodhisatta’s actions in saving the kingdom from the jackal reflect the values of compassion and justice. He worked to protect the people without resorting to unnecessary violence or cruelty, showing how one can overcome adversity with wisdom and righteousness.

Lesson: This Jataka teaches that power is fleeting and that those who rise to power through arrogance or deceit are often destined to fall. It underscores the importance of wisdom, strategy, and humility, and illustrates how wisdom can overcome force and arrogance. The story also highlights how material success can be fleeting and how true success lies in virtuous actions and wise leadership.