The Ubhatobhattha Jataka: Lessons from Twofold Failure

The Ubhatobhattha Jataka is a story from the Bodhisatta’s previous lives that highlights the theme of failure, both in actions and consequences. The tale serves as a cautionary example of how a person can fail in both the material world and in their spiritual pursuits when they are driven by greed and ignorance. In this story, the Bodhisatta takes the form of a tree fairy, witnessing the folly of a fisherman and his wife, who both suffer the consequences of their own misguided behavior.

The Story:

In this Jataka, the Bodhisatta is reborn as a tree fairy, living in a forest. One day, a fisherman, while fishing, gets his hook caught on a sunken tree. Mistaking the snag for a giant fish, he becomes excited but is determined not to share his catch with anyone. To ensure that no one sees him reel in what he believes is a giant fish, he sends his son back to the village to tell his wife to create a huge commotion so that no one will come near.

While the fisherman struggles in the water, fearing that the line will break, he takes off his clothes and wades into the muddy water to pull in the fish. As he gropes around, the branches of the sunken tree begin to poke at his eyes, eventually blinding him. At the same time, a thief seizes his clothes and runs off, leaving the fisherman stranded and vulnerable.

Meanwhile, the fisherman’s wife, in an attempt to appease the situation, decides to act in a peculiar and foolish manner. She sticks a palm leaf behind her ear, paints one of her eyes black with soot, and begins nursing a dog. When a neighbor comments on her bizarre behavior, she demands that the village headman fine the neighbor eight coins for slandering her. However, instead of supporting her, the village headman orders her to pay eight coins to the neighbor, and she is then tied up and beaten as a punishment.

At the end of the story, the Bodhisatta, who is observing all these events, reflects on the situation and exclaims that the fisherman has failed both in the water and on land: first by losing his catch due to his greed and blindness, and second by the trouble caused by his wife’s foolishness.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In the Buddha’s time, the fisherman in this Jataka is identified as an earlier birth of Devadatta, one of the Buddha’s disciples who ultimately became his nemesis. Devadatta, driven by his own ambitions and desire for power, had a twofold failure in his life: he failed to find the peace and satisfaction of the lay life, and he also failed to achieve the spiritual benefits of being a disciple of the Buddha.

The Buddha told this story to his disciples to illustrate that Devadatta’s failures were not new; they had occurred in his past lives as well. Just as the fisherman failed both in his attempt to catch the fish and in his domestic life, Devadatta too had experienced a similar double failure in both his worldly pursuits and his spiritual path.

Moral Lessons:

1. The Dangers of Greed and Selfishness: The fisherman’s desire to keep the fish to himself, even at the expense of others, leads to his own blindness and loss. This illustrates how greed and selfishness can blind a person, both literally and metaphorically, causing them to make decisions that lead to their own downfall.
2. The Consequences of Foolishness: The wife’s absurd behavior—painting her eye and nursing a dog—shows the absurdity that can arise from acting without reason or thought. Her attempt to distract from the situation only results in more suffering, reflecting how foolishness often exacerbates problems rather than solving them.
3. The Twofold Failure: The story teaches that a person who fails in both their worldly and spiritual pursuits suffers a double defeat. The fisherman’s failure in catching the fish and his wife’s failure in her misguided actions mirror the failure of Devadatta, who failed to gain the peace of lay life and the spiritual benefits of being a disciple.
4. The Importance of Wisdom and Reflection: The Bodhisatta, as a tree fairy, observes the foolishness and suffering of the fisherman and his wife and makes a wise judgment about their twofold failure. This serves as a reminder that wisdom and reflection are necessary to avoid such failures in one’s own life.
5. The Role of Ego and Pride: Both the fisherman and his wife are driven by their ego and pride. The fisherman refuses to share his catch, while the wife demands respect and imposes fines on others. Both of these actions show how ego can blind people to their own shortcomings and lead them into more trouble.

Conclusion:

The Ubhatobhattha Jataka is a story that illustrates the consequences of greed, foolishness, and the failure to understand the balance between worldly desires and spiritual wisdom. The fisherman’s twofold failure in both the material and spiritual realms serves as a warning against the dangers of acting impulsively, being driven by ego, and failing to recognize the broader consequences of one’s actions. The Bodhisatta’s role in observing and reflecting on these events teaches the importance of wisdom, self-awareness, and reflection in overcoming the pitfalls of life. By telling this story, the Buddha not only highlights the earlier failures of Devadatta but also offers valuable lessons on how to avoid such failures in one’s own journey toward enlightenment.