The Kaka Jataka: A Tale of Wisdom and Revenge

The Kaka Jataka (Jataka #140) tells a story that revolves around themes of revenge, wisdom, and the importance of thoughtful decision-making. It highlights how impulsive actions, driven by anger or malice, can lead to unintended consequences, and how wisdom and compassion can remedy a situation where others might resort to violence.

The Story:

In this Jataka, the Bodhisatta is born as a crow and leads a flock of eighty thousand crows. The story begins with a mischievous crow who, from his perch on the city gate, decides to defecate on the head of the king’s chaplain. The chaplain, freshly bathed and dressed in his finest clothes, is furious and vows revenge, developing a deep hatred of crows.

At the same time, in a nearby granary, a slave tasked with guarding the grain falls asleep. A shaggy goat begins to nibble on the rice, and the slave, half-asleep, shooes it away. However, each time the slave dozes off, the goat returns to continue eating. In frustration, the slave pretends to sleep, and when the goat returns, she strikes it with a torch. The goat’s fur catches fire, and in a panic, it runs into a shed. The fire quickly spreads, and before long, the royal stables catch fire, severely injuring many elephants. The injuries are so grave that the king’s veterinarians are at a loss as to how to treat the elephants.

Seeking a solution, the king turns to the chaplain for advice. Seizing the opportunity for revenge against the crows, the chaplain falsely suggests that crow fat could cure the elephants’ injuries. He advises the king to have all crows killed, believing that this will avenge the insult he suffered from the crow’s defecation.

The king orders the slaughter of crows, but despite many crows being killed, no crow fat is found. However, the slaughter continues, and soon piles of dead crows accumulate around the city. The Bodhisatta, as the leader of the crows, hears of the massacre and knows that he is the only one who can stop it.

Determined to put an end to the killing through wisdom and kindness, the Bodhisatta flies to the palace and confronts the king. He gently reminds the king that true leadership is not driven by passion or revenge, but by wisdom and careful consideration of all the facts. He explains that crows have no fat, as they live in constant fear of humans, and that the chaplain’s recommendation was made out of malice and not for the benefit of the elephants or the kingdom.

Impressed by the Bodhisatta’s wisdom, the king is moved by his words. He immediately halts the slaughter and offers the Bodhisatta a golden throne, inviting him to lead the kingdom. However, the Bodhisatta declines the offer and instead advises the king to rule with compassion and to protect all living creatures. As a result, the king grants immunity to all animals and, out of gratitude to the Bodhisatta, orders that six bushels of delicately flavored rice be delivered daily to feed the crows. Additionally, a portion of the king’s own food is set aside exclusively for the Bodhisatta.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In the Buddha’s time, the king in this Jataka is identified as an earlier birth of Ananda, one of the Buddha’s closest disciples and a key figure in the early Sangha. The Buddha told this story as a lesson on the importance of being thoughtful and careful before making decisions, emphasizing that leaders should rule with wisdom and compassion, rather than reacting out of anger or impulse.

The chaplain, who harbored ill will toward the crows, is recognized as an earlier birth of Devadatta, a disciple of the Buddha who later became his adversary. Devadatta’s actions, motivated by envy and resentment, led to discord and suffering in the Buddha’s time, just as the chaplain’s desire for revenge caused harm in the Jataka story.

Moral Lessons:

1. The Dangers of Acting Impulsively: The chaplain’s decision to advise the king to kill all the crows was based on anger and revenge. His actions led to unnecessary suffering and the loss of innocent lives. This story teaches the importance of pausing to reflect before making decisions, especially when those decisions are driven by negative emotions.
2. The Value of Wisdom and Thoughtful Leadership: The Bodhisatta, in his role as a leader of the crows, uses wisdom and compassion to stop the injustice. His approach highlights the role of leaders in making decisions that are just and thoughtful, rather than being swayed by emotion or external pressures.
3. Compassion for All Living Beings: The Bodhisatta’s plea for the king to protect all living creatures reflects the Buddha’s teachings on the interconnectedness of all beings. This story underscores the importance of compassion and kindness toward all forms of life, regardless of how insignificant they may seem.
4. Revenge Leads to Harm: The chaplain’s desire for revenge against the crow ultimately led to the destruction of innocent lives, both animal and human. The story shows how revenge often spirals out of control, causing more harm than the original offense ever justified.
5. The Role of the Wise Advisor: The Bodhisatta’s intervention serves as a model of wise counsel. He not only prevents a disaster but also turns the situation into an opportunity for promoting wisdom and compassion. His actions show that a wise advisor can transform negative situations into opportunities for growth and understanding.

Conclusion:

The Kaka Jataka is a story that emphasizes the destructive power of anger and the redemptive qualities of wisdom and compassion. It illustrates how a thoughtless decision, driven by negative emotions like revenge, can lead to unintended harm. On the other hand, the Bodhisatta’s approach of using wisdom to address conflict, and his insistence on protecting all living creatures, highlights the importance of ruling with empathy and discernment. The story serves as a timeless reminder that the consequences of our actions can be far-reaching, and that true leadership lies in being just, thoughtful, and compassionate in all things.