| J.541 |
Nimi Jaataka | Nemiraaja Jaataka |
Once the bodhisatva was reborn as the son of the king of Mithila, in the Videha country.
He was a rebirth of Makha-deva who came down among men from the Brahma world in order
to bring the total of world-renouncers in his family to a total of 84,000. Because
the boy was born to ‘round off’ the family, like the hoop of a chariot, he was called
Nemi (hoop). On his father’s renunciation, he came to the throne and engaged himself
and all his subjects in righteousness and generosity. Once, when doubt arose in his
mind as to which was more fruitful, the holy life or giving alms, Sakka himself appeared
before him to answer and encourage him. His fame spread to Tavatimsa and when gods
desired to see him, Sakka sent his chariot with Matali, to fetch him. On the way
to Tavatimsa, Matali showed the king various hells and heavens and the palaces of
various gods and goddesses. Arriving at the Sudhamma Hall, Nimi discoursed to the
assembled gods. After staying in Tavatimsa for seven days, he returned to Mithila
to tell his subjects what he had seen. When later, his barber told him of the appearance
of his first white hair, he, like all his predecessors, handed over the throne to
his son and became an ascetic. His son, Kalarajanaka, was the last of the eighty-four
thousand kings of Makhadeva’s dynasty. The story was told by the Buddha when he visited
Mithila. He smiled when he came across the site of Makhadeva’s palace, and when asked
why he smiled and related the Jataka. Anuruddha is identified with Sakka and Ananda
with Matali. The story forms the basis of the Makhadeva
Sutta (M.083) and is included in the Cariyapitaka (Cyp.i.006, CypA.042ff.) |
63/213 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.vi.095ff. |
heaven, hell, renunciation |