Mendaka Jataka: The Wisdom of Cooperation and Insight

In the Mendaka Jataka, the Bodhisatta, in a past life, served as an advisor to King Vedeha. One day, the king took a stroll through his palace grounds and witnessed an unusual and surprising sight: a goat and a dog, typically natural enemies, were showing mutual friendliness. The goat would sneak into the elephants’ stable to feed on the grass thrown there, but was regularly beaten away by the mahouts. The dog, on the other hand, would scavenge scraps from the royal kitchen, and on this particular day, it had ventured into the kitchen itself to eat some cooked meat. The cook, seeing the dog, chased it off with sticks and stones.

Both animals, having faced beatings from their respective food sources, met and shared their frustrations. The goat, distressed by its inability to access the grass, and the dog, frustrated by its treatment at the hands of the cook, concocted a plan. The goat would venture into the kitchen to retrieve meat, and the dog would sneak into the elephant stables for some grass. Because neither species typically ate these foods, they believed no one would notice their actions. They would meet at the palace wall, where they could share their spoils without drawing attention.

The king, astonished by the unlikely friendship between the two natural enemies, decided to challenge his advisors to understand how this strange bond had formed. He presented the situation as a riddle, declaring that anyone who could not figure out the reason for the animals’ alliance would be banished, as he had no use for foolish men around him. The advisors, confident that the riddle was unsolvable, struggled to provide an answer. However, the Bodhisatta, wise as always, suspected the king had observed something significant.

The Bodhisatta approached Queen Udumbara to inquire about the king’s activities the previous day. She explained that King Vedeha had been walking near the palace wall and staring out of his window. The Bodhisatta then went to the wall and, after observing the dog and goat, pieced together their plan.

The other advisors, aware of the Bodhisatta’s wisdom, came to him for help. Instead of directly giving them the answer, the Bodhisatta taught them a series of verses in a language they did not know, but that the king did. The next day, when the king asked the riddle, the advisors recited the verses perfectly, leading the king to believe they knew the answer. The Bodhisatta, with his deep understanding, provided a much more detailed and insightful explanation, which pleased the king immensely. In recognition of their wisdom, the king rewarded the advisors with chariots, mules, and a wealthy village.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

The Mendaka Jataka is recounted in the Buddha’s lifetime to emphasize the Bodhisatta’s supreme wisdom. Some of the Buddha’s disciples were discussing how the Buddha had humbled and converted a wide array of beings, including brahmins, ascetics, thieves, goblins, gods, and more. Hearing this conversation, the Buddha shared the story of his past life as the king’s advisor to show his disciples that, in every lifetime, he had always possessed the deep wisdom necessary to guide others.

King Vedeha, who was so astute in this past life, was an earlier birth of Laludayi, a shy elder disciple of the Buddha, who had difficulty speaking when around large groups. The Bodhisatta’s wisdom and clarity were reflected in this birth as well. The Bodhisatta’s advisor in this life was Saccaka, who had once been a Jain, but later converted to become one of the Buddha’s disciples. The other three advisors, Potthapada, Ambattha, and Pilotika, who were also involved in the story, were earlier births of three ascetics who respected the Buddha.

Moral Reflection:

The Mendaka Jataka serves as a reminder that wisdom lies not only in the ability to answer difficult questions but also in understanding the deeper connections and motivations behind seemingly incongruous situations. The friendship between the dog and the goat challenges the natural order, suggesting that even apparent enemies can find common ground through compassion and mutual understanding. It highlights that cooperation and clever thinking, when guided by wisdom, can bring about unexpected and harmonious results.

Additionally, the story underscores the importance of observation and insight. While the other advisors failed to grasp the meaning behind the situation, the Bodhisatta demonstrated that attention to detail and patience can unlock hidden truths. His ability to understand the animals’ motivations and the king’s intentions was rooted in his wisdom, which allowed him to solve the riddle without directly answering the king’s question.

The story also reveals a subtle message about leadership: while the king might have been powerful, it was the Bodhisatta, the advisor, who had the true wisdom to help guide the kingdom. This dynamic between a wise leader and a knowledgeable advisor highlights the importance of humility and recognizing when others possess greater wisdom. Wisdom is a valuable tool that can change not only individual lives but also the course of a kingdom or community.

Final Takeaway:

The Mendaka Jataka teaches us that wisdom can emerge from unexpected places, and even the most unlikely friendships can reveal deep lessons about cooperation, understanding, and clever problem-solving. The story shows that through compassion, observation, and patience, one can discover solutions that seem impossible at first. It emphasizes that true leadership involves not only knowing the answers but also having the ability to inspire wisdom in others, just as the Bodhisatta did in both his lives as an advisor and as the Buddha.