| J.461 |
Dasaratha Jaataka |
Dasaratha, king of Benares, had three children: Ramapandita, Lakkhana and Sita. On
the death of his queen, he took another and by her had another son Bharata. He was
so pleased that he granted the queen a boon. When Bharata was seven years old, the
mother claimed the throne for her son. Dasaratha fearing for the safety of his original
children, banished them to the forest for twelve years, telling them to return after
their father’s death. In the forest, Rama lived the ascetic life while Lakkhana and
Sita provided him with food. Dasaratha died after nine years and when the ministers
refused to recognize Bharata as king, he went to the forest in search of Rama. Rama,
however, refused to return until three more years had elapsed, and as Bharata refused
to take the throne, he sent his straw slippers to be placed on the throne in his
absence. When cases were heard in front of the the throne, if the decision taken
was wrong, the slippers would beat together. If the decision correct, they would
be silent. After three years, Rama returned to the palace and reigned for 16,000
years with Sita as his consort. Dasaratha was Suddhodana, Bharata was Ananda, Lakkhana
was Sariputta, Sita was Rahulamata and Rama the Bodhisatva. The story was related
to a man of Savatthi who greatly grieved at his father’s death and neglected all
his duties. |
60/072 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.iv.123ff. |
justice |