The Tale of Sona and Nanda

Long ago, in a land surrounded by towering mountains and lush forests, there lived two brothers, the Bodhisatta and his younger brother, Nanda. Born into a wealthy family, they were surrounded by luxury and riches, but their hearts were drawn not to worldly pleasures, but to the quiet solitude of the forest.

One day, the Bodhisatta, wise beyond his years, spoke to his parents with a gentle voice, saying, “I do not wish to marry. When you have grown old, I shall leave this palace and become an ascetic in the forest.” His younger brother, Nanda, hearing these words, nodded in agreement, and vowed to follow the same path. Their parents, though filled with sorrow, respected their sons’ wishes. And so, together, the four of them left the comforts of their opulent home, journeyed far into the Himalayas, and built simple leaf huts by the shore of a lotus-filled lake.

Days passed in the stillness of the forest, and the brothers tended to their parents with great care. The Bodhisatta would gather fresh fruit from the forest each day, bringing it to his parents with a smile, while Nanda, though good-hearted, sometimes collected fruit that was old, overripe, or unripe. “We must care for our parents as we would care for precious jewels,” the Bodhisatta often said, “fresh and pure, so that their health is never harmed.”

But Nanda, weary of the constant effort, took shortcuts. He thought it enough to give his parents fruit that had been left over from the previous day, or sometimes even longer. Seeing this, the Bodhisatta became concerned. “If we offer them fruit that is not fresh,” he warned, “it may sicken them.” He told Nanda to wait until he returned from the forest, so that together they might bring fresh fruit, ensuring that their parents would never suffer.

Nanda, however, did not heed his brother’s advice. And so the Bodhisatta, in his wisdom, told Nanda to leave their home and journey on his own. “You are not fit to serve our parents,” he said, for Nanda had shown laziness in his duty.

Nanda, ashamed and brokenhearted, retreated to his hut in solitude. There, in the quiet of his mind, he turned inward and meditated. He focused his mind on the mystic circle, and through his diligence and deep concentration, he achieved great power, mastering the eight attainments and five supernatural faculties. With his newfound strength, he resolved to make amends and seek his brother’s forgiveness.

Seeking redemption, Nanda traveled far and wide, offering his services to King Manoja, the most powerful ruler in all of India. He promised the king that with his magical powers, he could make the king ruler of all the land, without shedding a single drop of blood. The king, intrigued by such a claim, accepted Nanda’s offer.

Nanda used his powers to clear the way for the king’s army. When the sun blazed hot, Nanda brought shade. When rain fell, he kept the army dry. When the winds blew fiercely, he calmed them, and when the road was blocked with stumps and rocks, he smoothed the path. He led the king’s army from kingdom to kingdom, forcing each ruler to surrender without battle. For seven years, seven months, and seven days, Nanda marched, and in this way, the mighty King Manoja subdued all of India’s kings.

After his victory, King Manoja, eager to reward Nanda, offered him wealth, a palace, and any kingdom he desired. But Nanda, his heart still heavy with guilt, said, “What I truly desire is not riches or power, but your help. Bring your army and the other kings to the Himalayas, and help me seek forgiveness from my brother.”

King Manoja, curious and willing, agreed. Together, they journeyed toward the Bodhisatta, but as they drew near, the Bodhisatta, sensing their approach, knew that his brother was coming. He also knew that the kings, having witnessed Nanda’s great powers, would likely believe him to be the greater of the two. To prevent this, the Bodhisatta decided to show them the depth of his own power.

He raised a carrying pole with water buckets above his shoulder and made it float in the air. With a swift movement, he flew down the mountain, passing the kings and their entourage. When they saw him, they were awestruck, and King Manoja stopped to speak with him. The Bodhisatta then created a path through the forest, wide and smooth, so the kings could reach his home without difficulty.

When the kings arrived, they saw the Bodhisatta, seated in the splendor of his wisdom, as though he were the very king of the gods. Nanda, trembling with shame, fell to his knees, begging for forgiveness. “I ask only to care for our parents again,” he said, “and to make amends for my misdeeds.”

The Bodhisatta, in his infinite wisdom, replied, “As the eldest, I bear the greater responsibility. It was I who was called to ensure our parents’ well-being. I sent you away because you neglected your duty.” He then turned to King Manoja and the gathered kings, saying, “The one who fails to care for his parents brings great suffering upon himself. As a captain guards his ship, so too must a son guard his parents, for they are the vessel that brought him into this world.”

The kings, moved by the Bodhisatta’s words, bowed low in respect. They recognized that it was not Nanda’s magical powers, but the Bodhisatta’s wisdom, that had made him truly great. Nanda, humbled and repentant, bowed to his brother and promised never to neglect his parents again.

And so, the Bodhisatta forgave his brother, and together they returned to their humble home in the Himalayas, where they cared for their parents with renewed devotion. The kings, inspired by the Bodhisatta’s teachings, vowed to rule with virtue, kindness, and generosity for the rest of their days.

Thus, the Bodhisatta’s wisdom and compassion shone like a guiding light, leading not just his family, but all who heard his words, toward the path of righteousness and true happiness.

The Moral of the Story:

This tale reminds us of the deep importance of caring for our parents and fulfilling our duties with humility and sincerity. True greatness does not lie in power or wealth, but in wisdom, compassion, and selflessness.