The Prince’s Ambition: A Jataka Story of Wisdom and Consequence

In a time long ago, the Bodhisatta was a revered teacher known throughout the land for his wisdom. Among his students was a crown prince who excelled in his studies. As the prince prepared to return home, the Bodhisatta foresaw a troubling future: one day, the prince’s son would plot to harm him. To protect his student, the Bodhisatta composed four verses and instructed the prince to recite them at critical moments when his son turned sixteen: during dinner, at a grand reception, while ascending to the palace roof, and at the threshold of the royal bedchamber.Grateful for this guidance, the prince left with the verses in mind. Eventually, he ascended to the throne as king. When his son reached the age of sixteen, he became consumed with ambition and desired to seize power for himself. Encouraged by his servants, who believed that youthful power was preferable to waiting for old age, they devised a plan to poison the king’s rice.During dinner one evening, as the king served himself, he recalled the Bodhisatta’s warning and said, “Rats are choosy; while they don’t like husks, they do eat grains.” The prince interpreted this as a revelation of his plot and refrained from pouring poison into his father’s bowl.Undeterred, the prince and his servants concocted another scheme: at an upcoming grand reception, he would stab his father with a sword. However, while waiting for an opportune moment, he overheard his father say, “I heard the plot devised during the secret meeting in the forest.” Fearing that his father had discovered his intentions, he fled once more.A week later, hiding with his sword at the top of a staircase, he prepared to strike as the king ascended. Yet again, the king remarked, “A monkey made evil plans but could not perform them.” Alarmed that he might be caught, the prince ran away.Two weeks later, convinced that if his father truly knew of his plans he would have been imprisoned by now, the prince lay concealed under a couch in the royal bedchamber. When the king entered, he stood at the threshold and declared, “I know someone is here creeping like a one-eyed goat in a mustard field!” Terrified that he was about to be discovered and punished, the prince revealed himself and begged for forgiveness.The king ordered that his son be imprisoned until death; only then would he be allowed to ascend to the throne.

The Buddha’s Reflection

In later years during the Buddha’s lifetime, this tale was recounted to illustrate deeper truths about ambition and consequence. It was revealed that when a certain prince was conceived, his mother experienced an unusual craving for blood from her husband’s right knee. The king consulted astrologers who warned him that this craving indicated that their future son would kill him to seize power.Despite these ominous predictions, when born, this young prince displayed affection toward his father. The Buddha used this story as an example to highlight how kings often fear their sons due to prophecies but must also recognize that love can prevail over fear.Moral: This tale teaches us that ambition unchecked by wisdom can lead to self-destruction. It emphasizes that understanding one’s desires and motivations is crucial in preventing harm to oneself and others. By practicing mindfulness and compassion in our actions and relationships, we can navigate ambition’s challenges without succumbing to destructive impulses. Embracing this principle fosters harmony and understanding within families and communities alike.