The Virtue of Loyalty: The Dakarakkhasa Jataka

The Dakarakkhasa Jataka (Jataka #517) is a smaller episode from the larger Maha-Ummagga Jataka (#546), but it still offers rich teachings about loyalty, virtue, and the recognition of moral excellence. The story focuses on a single moment where the Bodhisatta, in his previous life as an advisor to a king, is recognized for his perfect virtue and the immense loyalty that the king has toward him.

The Plot

The Setting: The Bodhisatta as a King’s Advisor

In this life, the Bodhisatta is a wise advisor to King Culani. The Bodhisatta suspects that the king might harbor ill thoughts toward him, perhaps even wishing to harm or kill him. To resolve his doubts and to assess the king’s feelings, the Bodhisatta devises a clever plan.

He gives a gift of flowers and perfumes to Bheri, a virtuous and wise ascetic who lives at the palace and regularly receives meals there. The Bodhisatta hopes that Bheri’s wisdom will help him understand the king’s true thoughts about him.

The Water Demon Question

Bheri, being wise and perceptive, decides to ask the king a profound question known as the Water Demon Question, a moral dilemma designed to reveal a person’s true priorities and sense of virtue. The question posed is:

“If you were voyaging across the ocean with six other people and a demon demanded a human sacrifice, in what order would you give up people to save the rest?”

The question is meant to test the king’s sense of duty and his priorities when faced with life-and-death decisions.

The King’s Answer

King Culani answers the Water Demon Question without hesitation:

• First, he would sacrifice his mother, for she had wisdom and had helped him in the past, but she had faults.
• Second, he would sacrifice his wife, Queen Nanda, who was wise and devoted, but also had greed and temptation.
• Third, he would give up his younger brother, who had helped him regain the throne but was also arrogant.
• Fourth, he would give up his close friend, who had been his companion since childhood but lacked respect for boundaries.
• Fifth, he would give up his chaplain, who had great merit but was sometimes overbearing.
• Sixth, he would sacrifice himself, as he valued his life but acknowledged that others might be more virtuous than him.

Finally, seventh, he would not sacrifice the Bodhisatta under any circumstances, as the Bodhisatta was completely pure, free of all faults and sin, and had never wronged anyone in any way. The Bodhisatta, in the king’s eyes, was beyond reproach.

The Importance of the Bodhisatta’s Virtue

Pleased by the king’s genuine love and respect for him, Bheri shares the king’s response with the palace. She highlights the exceptional merit of the Bodhisatta, making his virtue known to others in the palace as clearly as the moon shines in the sky. The king’s devotion to the Bodhisatta becomes a public testimony of his righteousness.

Bheri, eager to spread the word of the Bodhisatta’s perfection, arranges for the king to repeat the Water Demon Question publicly in the palace courtyard, where everyone can hear. By listening to the king’s praises of the Bodhisatta, the people are moved to recognize his greatness and are inspired to seek righteousness and happiness in their own lives.

The Moral Lesson

The central teaching of this story revolves around virtue and the importance of moral excellence in leadership. King Culani’s answer demonstrates that while others around him—such as his family, friends, and even his chaplain—have faults, the Bodhisatta stands out as a perfect example of moral purity, deserving of the king’s absolute loyalty and admiration. The king’s response reflects the Buddhist ideal of recognizing goodness and virtue in others and treating them with respect and reverence.

Furthermore, the story highlights the power of good leadership, as King Culani, by publicly acknowledging the Bodhisatta’s virtue, helps the people of his kingdom understand the importance of righteousness. The king’s answer inspires others to act with greater moral clarity, reinforcing the message that good actions and virtuous leadership create a ripple effect that can spread throughout society.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the Buddha’s time, the story of King Culani and the Bodhisatta is recounted to show that the Buddha had not only supreme wisdom in his present life but had also demonstrated profound insight and virtue in his past lives. The king’s role and Bheri’s wisdom are connected to the lives of two of the Buddha’s prominent disciples:

• King Culani is identified as Sariputta, one of the Buddha’s chief disciples, known for his profound wisdom and clarity of thought.
• Bheri is identified as Uppalavanna, another of the Buddha’s chief disciples, recognized for her great virtue and wisdom.

The story serves as a reminder that the Buddha’s wisdom did not emerge suddenly, but had been perfected over many lifetimes through countless acts of goodness, knowledge, and self-awareness.

Key Themes and Moral Lessons

1. Virtue and Moral Purity: The Bodhisatta’s perfection stands in stark contrast to the flawed characters of those around him. His purity is what ultimately earns the king’s loyalty and admiration, teaching that virtue and moral clarity are qualities to be prized above all else.
2. The Role of Leadership: King Culani’s actions show that true leaders value and protect those who embody goodness and virtue. Leaders are responsible for recognizing and cultivating goodness in others, inspiring their people to follow the path of righteousness.
3. Public Recognition of Goodness: Bheri’s decision to have the king publicly declare the Bodhisatta’s merits teaches that virtue should be acknowledged and celebrated. By making the Bodhisatta’s purity known to the entire kingdom, the people are encouraged to reflect on their own actions and strive for goodness in their lives.
4. The Power of the Buddha’s Past Lives: The story also highlights the continuity of wisdom across lifetimes. The Bodhisatta’s moral excellence in past lives foreshadows the profound wisdom he would eventually attain as the Buddha, reinforcing the Buddhist belief in the accumulation of wisdom through karma and self-improvement.

Conclusion

The Dakarakkhasa Jataka emphasizes the recognition of true moral excellence and the importance of supporting and elevating those who embody virtuous qualities. It illustrates the power of righteous leadership and public recognition in inspiring others to live better lives. By showcasing the Bodhisatta’s perfection and the king’s devotion, the story imparts valuable lessons about virtue, loyalty, and the ripple effect of goodness in society. Through this tale, the Buddhist teachings on wisdom, virtue, and the long path to enlightenment are beautifully demonstrated.