The Virocana Jataka: A Tale of Arrogance and Wisdom

The Virocana Jataka (Jataka #143) is another story that teaches valuable lessons about arrogance, the consequences of overestimating one’s abilities, and the importance of understanding one’s limitations. It also has significant implications in the context of the Buddha’s relationship with his wayward disciple, Devadatta, drawing parallels between past and present actions.

The Story:

In this Jataka, the Bodhisatta is born as a lion, the king of the forest. One day, while wandering through the forest, he encounters a jackal. The jackal, realizing he cannot escape from the lion’s power, throws himself at the Bodhisatta’s feet and pleads for his life. He promises to serve the lion if he is spared. The Bodhisatta agrees, and they form a partnership. The jackal is tasked with finding large prey, such as elephants, horses, or buffalo, while the Bodhisatta would do the killing. Afterward, they would share the meat.

Under this arrangement, the jackal grows stronger and more confident, benefitting from the bounty that comes from being in the lion’s company. However, the jackal becomes arrogant as he grows in size and power, and begins to believe that he is capable of killing an elephant on his own. He insists that the Bodhisatta praise him, saying, “Shine forth in thy might, jackal,” as he accomplishes this feat.

The Bodhisatta, recognizing the jackal’s overconfidence, tries to warn him, telling him that no jackal could ever kill an elephant. But the jackal insists on pursuing his folly, and so the lion reluctantly agrees to let him try. When the jackal lunges at the elephant, he misses completely and lands at its feet. The elephant, with a single stomp, crushes the jackal’s skull into powder and defecates on his corpse.

The Bodhisatta, witnessing this, remarks that the jackal’s attempt to kill the elephant revealed his true might—that is, his complete lack of power compared to the elephant.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

The story’s deeper significance comes into play when we consider its connection to Devadatta, the Buddha’s once-devoted disciple who became his nemesis. The jackal in the Virocana Jataka is an earlier birth of Devadatta. Like the jackal, Devadatta grew arrogant and believed he could rival the Buddha’s power. He left the Buddha’s Sangha (community of monks) to set up his own order, even going so far as to declare himself a Buddha. This was an act of great hubris, and it paralleled the jackal’s delusion of power in the Jataka.

In a crucial moment, the Buddha sent two of his top disciples, Sariputta and Moggallana, to preach to the wayward followers of Devadatta. While Devadatta was asleep, most of his followers returned to the Buddha’s community, which greatly angered Kokalika, one of Devadatta’s most devoted disciples. In his rage, Kokalika struck Devadatta in the chest, causing him to spit up blood.

The Buddha told this story to his disciples to remind them that Devadatta’s arrogant attempts to rival him were not new. Devadatta had exhibited the same pride and foolishness in past lives, just as the jackal had tried to surpass the lion’s strength and met with disastrous consequences.

Moral Lessons:

1. The Dangers of Arrogance: The main moral lesson of the Virocana Jataka is the folly of overestimating one’s strength or abilities. The jackal’s belief that he could kill an elephant on his own led to his ultimate demise. Similarly, Devadatta’s arrogance and belief that he could replace the Buddha led to his failure and suffering, both in his past lives and in the present.
2. Recognizing One’s Limitations: The Bodhisatta, in the story, cautions the jackal that no jackal could kill an elephant. This serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing one’s limitations and understanding that true strength comes from wisdom, humility, and the willingness to accept one’s place in the world. The jackal’s failure teaches that trying to exceed one’s capacity without wisdom or guidance can only lead to harm.
3. The Consequences of Acting Out of Ego: Just as the jackal’s attempt to kill the elephant was motivated by pride, Devadatta’s actions were similarly driven by ego and the desire for power. Both were humbled by their failures. The lesson here is that acting out of ego, without a foundation of wisdom or moral clarity, will lead to disgrace and suffering.
4. The Role of the Buddha’s Disciples: The story also reinforces the role of the Buddha’s disciples in maintaining the integrity of the Sangha. When Devadatta attempted to start his own order, his own disciples, such as Kokalika, acted in anger and violence, showing how destructive arrogance can be when it leads one to turn against the Buddha. The Buddha’s true disciples, on the other hand, act with compassion and wisdom, ensuring that the community remains united in virtue.
5. Power versus Wisdom: The Bodhisatta, in his wisdom, refrains from trying to show the jackal that his pride will lead to failure through direct confrontation. Instead, he allows the jackal to act on his own arrogance, knowing that the consequences will serve as a valuable lesson. This emphasizes the difference between raw power (symbolized by the elephant) and wisdom (symbolized by the Bodhisatta’s restraint and understanding).

Conclusion:

The Virocana Jataka is a powerful story that warns against the dangers of arrogance and the false belief in one’s invincibility. It teaches the importance of humility, recognizing one’s limitations, and the wisdom to avoid overreaching. The connection to Devadatta highlights the eternal nature of these lessons, as the Buddha’s adversary is shown to have repeated his errors throughout his various lifetimes.

Ultimately, the Virocana Jataka illustrates the futility of pride and the importance of humility, not just in the spiritual path but in all areas of life. By understanding one’s true nature and limitations, one can avoid the pitfalls of arrogance and find peace and wisdom.