The Nigrodha Jataka: A Story of Leadership and Mercy

In the Nigrodha Jataka, the Bodhisatta was once born as a king, under unusual circumstances. His mother, who had been infertile for many years, grew frustrated with the gossip and rumors surrounding her inability to conceive. In response, she faked a pregnancy and claimed to have given birth to the Bodhisatta, who was found abandoned under a banyan tree and adopted by her.

The Bodhisatta grew up alongside two other children born on the same day, and the three became very close friends. They were sent to Taxila for their education and later traveled to gain further life experiences.

The Chicken and the Fateful Encounter

One day, while traveling, one of the Bodhisatta’s companions overheard a conversation between two chickens perched in a tree. One chicken had defecated on the other, leading to an exchange about the supposed importance of the chickens. The upper chicken boasted that if it were eaten, the person would become a king, the middle meat would make someone commander-in-chief, and the meat near the bones would turn someone into a treasurer.

The man, eager to fulfill his desires, climbed the tree, killed the upper chicken, and cooked it. He served the fat to the Bodhisatta (promising kingship), the middle meat to his other friend (promising the role of commander-in-chief), and ate the meat near the bones himself (promising the role of treasurer).

The Royal Chariot and the Bodhisatta’s Ascension

The next morning, the three friends arrived in the royal city, where the kingdom had just lost its king, leaving no heir. The royal chaplain sent out the royal chariot, a method used to find someone with enough merit to be the next ruler. The chariot stopped at the Bodhisatta, and after examining his feet, the chaplain saw the royal marks that signified he was destined to rule all of India. The Bodhisatta was crowned king on the spot, and his friends were appointed as commander-in-chief and treasurer.

The Bodhisatta ruled with righteousness and wisdom, but one day, he felt the need to invite his adoptive parents to the city. When the Bodhisatta’s commander-in-chief refused to take the responsibility, the treasurer agreed to go instead. However, upon arriving in their hometown, the Bodhisatta’s parents and the commander-in-chief’s parents refused to leave, and the treasurer returned to the city alone.

Spite and the Commander-in-Chief’s Downfall

Upon his return, the treasurer was beaten by the commander-in-chief, who was bitter and resentful that he had not been chosen to rule. The commander-in-chief’s spiteful actions were fueled by his sense of entitlement. The treasurer reported this mistreatment to the Bodhisatta, who was furious. Despite his anger, the Bodhisatta initially ordered the commander-in-chief to be executed. However, upon the treasurer’s plea for mercy, the Bodhisatta showed compassion and spared the commander-in-chief’s life.

As a reward for the treasurer’s good character, the Bodhisatta appointed him to oversee all the merchant guilds in the kingdom.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha: The Story of Devadatta’s Treachery

In the lifetime of the Buddha, one of his disciples, Devadatta, was a treacherous and ungrateful figure. Devadatta had once been very close to the Buddha, but over time he became envious and tried to split the Sangha and harm the Buddha. One day, the Buddha’s disciples discussed Devadatta’s failure to show gratitude to the Buddha, despite the vast teachings he had received. Devadatta dismissed their words, stating that the Buddha had done little for him, symbolically picking up a blade of grass and saying the Buddha had not even helped him this much.

When the Buddha overheard this conversation, he recalled this Jataka story and shared it with his disciples as a lesson. The Buddha explained that Devadatta’s ungrateful and treacherous behavior in the past was a reflection of his current conduct.

The Rebirths of Key Figures

In this story, the commander-in-chief was an earlier birth of Devadatta, who became the Buddha’s nemesis. The treasurer was an earlier birth of Ananda, one of the Buddha’s most devoted and loyal disciples.

Moral of the Story:

The Nigrodha Jataka emphasizes the importance of righteousness, wisdom, and mercy in leadership. It also teaches that ingratitude and spite lead to downfall, while gratitude and good character are rewarded. The Bodhisatta’s actions show that even in the face of betrayal or mistreatment, a wise leader remains compassionate and just, and does not act hastily out of anger or frustration. The story also highlights the danger of arrogance and entitlement, as seen in the commander-in-chief’s resentment, which ultimately leads to his ruin.