| J.413 |
Dhuumakaari Jaataka |
Dhana~njaya, king of Indapattana, was wont to neglect his old warriors and show favour
only to newcomers. The result was that once he suffered defeat in a rebellion. On
his return from battle, he consulted his chaplain Vidhurapandita (the Bodhisatva)
who told him of a goatherd of yore called Dhumakari. Once when Dhumakari was tending
his goats, a herd of golden deer came from the Himalayas. He looked after the deer
and neglected his own goats. In the autumn the deer went back to the mountains and
he found that his goats had died of starvation. The story was told to Pasenadi who,
like Dhana~njaya, suffered defeat and for the same reasons. Pasenadi sought the consolation
of the Buddha who told him the ancient tale. Dhana~njaya is identified with Ananda
and Dhumakari with Pasenadi. |
59/406 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.iii.400ff. |
elation with newness |