Jataka 195
Pabbatūpathara Jātaka
Forgiveness
as told by Eric Van Horn
originally translated by William Henry Denham Rouse, Cambridge University
originally edited by Professor Edward Byles Cowell, Cambridge University
This story might also be called “do not overreact.” In this story two courtiers commit an act of indiscretion. But the King still values them, so the Buddha counsels him to forgive them. And while we do not know what came next, one can certainly think that these two errant courtiers became even more loyal to the King because of his forgiveness.
“A happy lake.” The Master told this story while he was at Jetavana. It is about the King of Kosala (King Pasenadi).
We are told that a certain courtier had an affair with a woman in the King’s harem. The King investigated the matter, and when he discovered what had happened he decided to tell the Master. So he went to Jetavana and saluted the Master. He told him about the courtier’s affair and asked what he should do. The Master asked him whether he found the courtier useful to him and whether he loved his wife. “Yes,” was the reply, “the man is very useful. He is the mainstay of my court, and I do love the woman.” “Sire,” the Master replied, “when people are useful and women are dear, there is no reason to harm them. In past days, too, kings listened to the words of the wise and were able to look past such things.” And he told this story of the past.
Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was the King of Benares, the Bodhisatta was born into a courtier’s family. When he came of age, he became the King’s counselor in things worldly and spiritual.
Now a member of the King’s court had an affair with one of the women in the King’s harem. The King learned all about it. “He is a most useful servant,” he thought, “and the woman is dear to me. I cannot destroy these two. I will ask a wise man in my court what to do. If I must put up with it, I will put up with it. If not, then I will not.”
He sent for the Bodhisatta, and asked him to be seated. “Wise sir,” said he, “I have a question to ask you.”
“Ask it, Oh King, and I will answer,” he replied. Then the King asked his question in the form of a riddle:
“A happy lake lay sheltered at the foot of a lovely hill,
But a jackal used it, knowing that a lion watched it still.”
“Surely,” the Bodhisatta thought, “one of his courtiers must have had an affair with a woman in the harem,” and he recited the second couplet:
“Out of the mighty river all creatures drink at will.
If she is dear, have patience, the river’s a river still."
Thus did the Great Being advise the King.
And the King heeded this advice. He forgave them both and told them to go and not to misbehave again. They were grateful for the King’s forgiveness. They did as they were told, and from that time on they stopped their indiscretion. And the King gave alms and did good until at his life’s end he was reborn in a heavenly realm.
Figure: Forgiveness
After hearing this story of the past the King of Kosala also forgave both these people and chose to overlook their indiscretion.
When the Master had ended this discourse, he identified the birth: “At that time Ānanda was the King, and I was the wise councilor.”
