The Padakusalamanava Jataka: Wisdom in Tracking Footsteps

The Padakusalamanava Jataka: Wisdom in Tracking Footsteps

Bookmark
Please login to bookmark Close

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was a boy born to a goblin mother, who had been cursed to live as a goblin due to a sinful oath she made in her previous life. She lived in a cave deep in the forest, devouring travelers. However, one day, she captured a handsome, wealthy brahmin and, instead of eating him, married him. They had a child, the Bodhisatta, who grew to be exceptionally strong and smart.

Curious about why he and his father looked so different from his mother, the Bodhisatta learned that they were human, and his mother was a goblin. Determined to live with humans, the Bodhisatta tried to escape with his father multiple times, evading the clutches of his goblin mother. Eventually, they made it to the river, where the Bodhisatta’s mother, realizing her loss, begged them to return. Though his father chose to stay, the Bodhisatta refused, and the goblin mother, heartbroken, died.

The Bodhisatta and his father went to the king, where the Bodhisatta’s skill in tracking footsteps was revealed. The king, impressed by this ability, hired the Bodhisatta for one thousand coins a day. However, when the king and royal chaplain tested the Bodhisatta by stealing jewels and hiding them, the Bodhisatta used his skill to recover the treasure. Yet, when the king demanded that he reveal the thieves, the Bodhisatta refused, instead telling a series of allegorical stories.

These stories all illustrated the folly of the king and the chaplain, warning that those in positions of power can be their own worst enemies. Despite the king’s insistence, the Bodhisatta never directly accused him. But eventually, when the king persisted in his demands, the Bodhisatta revealed the truth: the king and the chaplain were the thieves. The crowd, furious at the deception, rose up against the king and the chaplain, beating them to death. The Bodhisatta was then chosen as the new king.


In the Lifetime of the Buddha: A Tale of Footsteps

In the time of the Buddha, a lay follower of the Buddha had a seven-year-old son who was skilled in tracking footsteps. He tested the boy by taking a long and winding route, only to find that his son could follow his exact path to the Buddha’s monastery. The Buddha heard of the boy’s talent and, remarking that in a past life, he himself could follow footsteps even through the air, told the story of the Bodhisatta’s past life to teach a lesson about wisdom and perception.

The Bodhisatta’s father, in this Jataka, was an earlier birth of Maha Kassapa, one of the Buddha’s closest disciples, known for his deep wisdom and simplicity.


Moral of the Story:

The Padakusalamanava Jataka emphasizes that true wisdom is not merely about the ability to follow paths or solve problems, but about understanding the deeper lessons that lie beneath the surface. The Bodhisatta’s patience in telling stories instead of directly confronting the king and his foolishness reflects the importance of careful thought before taking action. It also highlights the tragic consequences when those in power—who are supposed to protect and serve—betray their roles and misuse their authority.

The Bodhisatta’s refusal to name the thieves directly teaches that sometimes, those in power must learn their own lessons, as the truth can be more profound when it is discovered through personal insight, rather than forced revelation. The dramatic uprising of the people after the truth is exposed is a reminder that injustice can only go unchecked for so long before it is righted by those who suffer under it.

The story also reflects the role of the Buddha’s teachings in guiding people away from pride, arrogance, and misuse of power—an essential message for both rulers and the ruled.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments