Wisdom of the King in the Nakkhatta Jataka

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was a wise and respected man living in a city. A marriage had been arranged between a town family and a country family, with the date set by the families involved. However, before the wedding, the townspeople sought the advice of a naked ascetic to determine if the chosen day was lucky.Upset that they had not consulted him first, the ascetic lied and told them that the stars were not favorable and that there would be great misfortune if they proceeded with the marriage on that day. Believing the ascetic’s words, the townspeople stayed home on the appointed day.The country family, expecting the townspeople to arrive for the wedding, was quite upset when they did not show up. As a result, they decided to marry the girl off to someone else. The next day, when the townspeople arrived in the village for the marriage, an argument broke out upon learning what had happened.The Bodhisatta, who was in the village on business, heard the commotion and intervened. He told the townspeople, with contempt, that they were fools for believing in the luck of the stars. He emphasized that there is no real luck to be found in astrological predictions. The townspeople, realizing their mistake, returned home without a new bride.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

This tale has a significant connection to the Buddha’s later life. A similar incident occurred during the Buddha’s time, where a marriage was foiled by a resentful naked ascetic. The only difference was that in this instance, the bride’s family lived in the town, and the husband’s family, who lived in the countryside, consulted the ascetic.When the Buddha heard his disciples discussing the failed marriage, he shared this story to illustrate that the same scenario had occurred in earlier births of the same two families and the ascetic. This narrative served to highlight the recurring pattern of foolishness and the dangers of relying on false or malicious advice.

Moral

The Nakkhatta Jataka teaches us about the importance of critical thinking and not blindly following superstitions or malicious advice. The story emphasizes that believing in false predictions or seeking fortune in the stars can lead to unnecessary suffering and conflict. The Bodhisatta’s intervention and advice serve as a reminder to rely on wisdom and reason rather than superstition. This tale underscores the Buddhist principle of avoiding delusion and cultivating discernment in all aspects of life.