| J.112 |
Amaraadeviipa~nhaa Jaataka |
The bodhisatva was born in Mithila holding a medicinal plant in his hand and was
named Mahosadha. He talked immediately at birth, and the King Videha had a premonition
in a dream that a sage was born. Mahosadha was appointed as the fifth of five counsellors
to the king from an early age. He had many occasions to match his wit against the
other councellors and emerged ever triumphant. He earned the friendship of Queen
udumbara for his wisdom. He married Amaradevi who helped to quell conspiracies against
her husband. Eventually, fearing his life, Mahosadha escaped from the palace and
hid in a potterís hut. Seeing the injustice deity in the kingís parasol put several
questions to the king, knowing that none but Mahosadha could answer them. Eventually
Mahosadha was summoned back to the palace and answered the questions to the kingís
satisfaction. Meanwhile he had discovered the secret crimes of the other counsellors
and publicized these in the city. He then intervened to reduce the punishments meted
out on the ex-counsellors by the king. under the new guidance of Mahosadha, the king
took various measures to increase his power and glory. Spies were sent to every court
and Mahosadha even used a pet parrot as a spy. On its travels, the parrot overheard
the plot of Brahmadatta, king of Kampilla, to invade Mithila. At first Brahmadatta
laid seige to Mithila, but could not win in this way. Later he tried to lure Videha
by publicizing the beauty of his own daughter, Pa~ncalacandi. Videha decided agains
Mahosadhaís advice to marry Pa~ncalacandi. Mahosadha went to uttarapa~ncala to make
preparations for the wedding and built a palace between the city and the Ganges.
Mahosadha built two escape tunnels, one leading from Brahmadattaís palace to the
Ganges and the other, a smaller one, leading from the new palace to the other tunnel.
When Videha arrived for the marriage, Mahosadha sent word to Brahmadattaís queen,
mother-in-law and Pa~ncalacandi to come to the kingís palace to celebrate that Mahosadha
and Videha had been killed according to plan. Meanwhile Brahmadatta had ordered that
the whole city be surrounded. Videha was overcome with fright to see what had happened
and put himself in Mahosadhaís hands. Videha was led into the large tunnel, where
he was brought face-to-face with members of Brahmadattaís family. Pa~ncalacandi was
put on a heap of treasure and married to Videha. Then, on emerging from the other
end of the tunnel, they escaped by ship with an escort. Mahosadha stayed behind.
Only too late, Brahmadatta arrived with his army to capture Videha, but on finding
his blunder, was told the whole story by Mahosadha. From then on Brahmadatta and
Mahosadha became good friends and the two kings became allies. Later, on the death
of Videha, Mahosadha spent the last years of his life in service to Brahmadatta.
The Jataka was related to illustrate the Buddhaís great wisdom. See also Mahaaummagga
Jaataka (J.546). |
56/426 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.i.424ff. |
wisdom |