The Sattubhasta Jataka: Wisdom in Life’s Challenges

The Sattubhasta Jataka tells the story of an old brahmin, his troubled marriage, and a series of mysterious events that the Bodhisatta, in his past life as a royal advisor, helps unravel. The tale begins with the old brahmin who had collected a thousand coins and stored them at a friend’s house. But when he returned to claim his money, the friend had already spent it. Instead of returning the money, the friend offered the brahmin his daughter as a wife.

However, being elderly, the brahmin was unable to satisfy his young wife, leading her to start an affair with a younger man in town. Dissatisfied with her life, the wife demanded that her husband hire a maid. When the brahmin couldn’t afford one, she instructed him to go begging for food, and so he went out, collecting seven hundred coins. With this money, he planned to buy two slaves.

On his way home, the brahmin stopped to rest and drink water. While he was away from his bag, a snake crawled into it. Unaware of the danger, the brahmin continued his journey back. Along the way, he encountered a tree fairy who told him that if he returned home that day, his wife would die, but if he stayed out another night, he would die instead. The fairy did not explain why, and the brahmin, confused and terrified, continued his journey, fearing the worst.

In the city, the Bodhisatta was giving a sermon, and the old brahmin, feeling lost, decided to listen to the Buddha-to-be’s words, hoping they might offer him some peace. As he listened, the Bodhisatta noticed the distressed brahmin and asked him what was troubling him. The brahmin shared his fear of the prophecy, and the Bodhisatta, using his wisdom, quickly deduced the cause.

The Bodhisatta considered the many ways people could die: falling from a tree, drowning, being struck by a weapon, or eating poison. He noticed the brahmin’s sack and realized that a snake had likely crawled inside while the brahmin was away drinking water. If the brahmin continued his journey that night, he would be bitten by the snake when he opened his bag for dinner. Alternatively, if he returned home, the snake would bite his wife when she went to put away his things.

The Bodhisatta explained his reasoning, and the brahmin, following his advice, laid the bag on the ground and struck it with a stick. As predicted, the snake crawled out, much to the amazement of the gathered crowd. They cheered and praised the Bodhisatta for his wisdom, tossing jewels at him. The Bodhisatta used this moment to teach the people that wisdom is the most important quality one can possess if they wish to reach nirvana.

The brahmin, in gratitude, offered the Bodhisatta the seven hundred coins he had earned, but the Bodhisatta not only refused the gift but also gave the brahmin three hundred coins more. He then asked the brahmin about his wife, who was very young. The Bodhisatta warned him that his wife was likely sinning with another man and advised him to hide his money at the root of a tree before going home.

The brahmin followed the Bodhisatta’s advice and concealed the coins. When he returned home, his wife immediately asked about the money, and foolishly, he told her. Her lover, learning of the hidden treasure, stole the money. The next day, when the brahmin discovered the theft, he returned to the Bodhisatta for guidance.

The Bodhisatta, recognizing the theft for what it was, suggested the brahmin host a special seven-day celebration where he and his wife would each invite seven brahmins to dinner, one fewer each day until the last, when each would have only one guest. The brahmin did as instructed, and on the last day, it was clear that the wife’s lover was the one who remained.

The Bodhisatta sent men to bring the lover before him, and in the presence of a royal advisor, the thief admitted his crime and returned the stolen money. The Bodhisatta then banished the man from the city and punished the wife, though she was not banished because the brahmin wished to keep her. The Bodhisatta also provided the old brahmin with a home near him in the city.

Moral of the Story:
The Sattubhasta Jataka teaches that wisdom, clear thinking, and discernment can help us navigate through life’s most difficult and confusing challenges. It shows how insight and patience can unravel even the most mysterious and troubling situations. It also reminds us that wisdom is more valuable than wealth and can guide us toward the right decisions in times of hardship.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:
The Buddha shared this story with his disciples to show them that he had always possessed perfect knowledge, even in his past lives. The old brahmin and the tree fairy were earlier incarnations of Ananda and Sariputta, two of the Buddha’s closest disciples, while the people who listened to the Bodhisatta’s sermon were former followers of the Buddha. The story underscores the importance of wisdom, not only in the present but throughout our past lives.