The Naga King’s Warning: A Tale of Greed and Contentment

The Tale
The Bodhisatta was once a wise merchant traveling with a caravan of oxcarts. During their journey through a remote area, they came across an abandoned, dried-up well. Curiosity led them to dig at the bottom, and instead of water, they uncovered jewels and precious metals. Overcome with greed, the caravan members decided to dig deeper in hopes of finding even more treasure.

The Bodhisatta, seeing the danger of their greed, warned them to stop. He knew that unchecked greed would bring disaster, but his advice was ignored. As they continued digging, the noise disturbed the naga king who resided beneath the well. Angered by the disruption, the naga king emerged and killed everyone in the caravan, except for the Bodhisatta.

The naga king, recognizing the Bodhisatta’s wisdom and restraint, spared him. He and his young nagas filled the merchant’s carts with even more jewels as a reward, and sent him home safely. The Bodhisatta used this wealth for good throughout his life, dedicating it to almsgiving. He became well-known across India for his generosity and moderation.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha
In the Buddha’s time, some merchants, who were devoted followers of the Buddha, once came across the same well while traveling on their caravan. They also found jewels and treasure, but unlike the previous caravan, they were content with what they had found and did not dig further.

Upon returning home, the merchants shared their story with the Buddha, and he recounted the tale of the Bodhisatta and the greedy caravan to highlight the value of moderation and contentment. Through this story, the Buddha reminded his followers that excessive desire and greed can lead to ruin, and that satisfaction with what one has is the path to peace.

Moral
This story emphasizes the dangers of greed and the wisdom of contentment. The Bodhisatta’s restraint, even in the face of unimaginable wealth, contrasts sharply with the greed of the other caravan members, who ultimately brought about their own destruction. Through this Jataka, the Buddha teaches his followers the importance of moderation in all things, and how cultivating contentment leads to a life of peace and fulfillment.