The Wise Treasurer and the Thieves: Punnapati Jataka

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was once a royal treasurer, a position of significant responsibility and trust. One day, as he walked to the palace, he was invited by some men to sit with them and drink some rare liquor. Although the Bodhisatta did not drink alcohol, he suspected that this invitation might be a ruse and decided to expose their intentions.He agreed to join them but stated that he could not drink before attending to his business at the king’s palace. He suggested that they wait for him, and he would consider joining them when he returned. After completing his duties at the palace, the Bodhisatta saw the men again and noticed that their bowls were still full of liquor. If the liquor were genuinely good, they would have already consumed some of it.Realizing their true intentions, the Bodhisatta confronted the men, telling them that he knew they were thieves and that the liquor was drugged. The men, exposed and fearful, fled the scene.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

This tale has a significant connection to the Buddha’s later life. One day, some men who were in financial distress decided to rob Anathapindika, a wealthy and extremely generous supporter of the Buddha. Knowing that Anathapindika wore his most valuable rings and attire when he went to see the king, the thieves set up a table along his regular route to the palace and invited him to sit down and drink some rare liquor.Anathapindika, aware that he did not drink alcohol and suspecting a ruse, agreed to sit with them to expose their plan. After sitting for a while and observing that the men did not drink any of the liquor, he was certain it was drugged. He challenged the men to take the first swig, and upon realizing they had been exposed, the thieves got up and fled.When Anathapindika told the Buddha about this incident, the Buddha shared this story to illustrate that these same men had tried to deceive him in a similar manner during earlier births. This narrative highlighted the recurring pattern of their deceitful actions and the Bodhisatta’s consistent wisdom in exposing them.

Moral

The Punnapati Jataka teaches us about the importance of wisdom, caution, and integrity. The story emphasizes that one should be vigilant and discerning, especially in situations that seem suspicious or too good to be true. The Bodhisatta’s actions serve as a model for how to handle potentially dangerous situations with intelligence and courage. This tale underscores the Buddhist principle of being mindful and aware, avoiding harm through wise and thoughtful behavior.