Jataka 368
Tacasāra Jātaka
The Story of Tacasāra
as told by Eric Van Horn
originally translated by H.T. Francis and R.A. Neil, Cambridge University
originally edited by Professor Edward Byles Cowell, Cambridge University
This is an interesting little tale about winning the day by displaying confidence and fearlessness in the face of trouble.
“Fallen into hand of foes.” The Master told this story while he was living at Jetavana. It is about the Perfection of Wisdom. It was then the Master said, “Not now only, monks, but formerly also, the Tathāgata proved himself wise and full of resources.” And with that he told them this story from the past.
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning as the King of Benares, the Bodhisatta was born into the household of a village proprietor. The whole story runs exactly like that of the previous birth. But in this version, when the doctor died, his village neighbors said, “These youths have caused the man’s death. We will bring them before the King.”
So they bound them in chains and led them to Benares. In the course of his journey the Bodhisatta admonished the other boys. He said to them, “Do not be afraid. Even when you are brought into the presence of the King, show yourselves to be fearless and happy in your minds. The King will first of all talk with us, and afterwards I will know what to do.”
They readily agreed to what he said and acted accordingly. When the King found them calm and happy, he said, “These poor wretches have been bound in chains and brought here as murderers, and although they have come to such misery, they are without fear and even happy. I will ask them why they are not troubled.”
And he repeated the first stanza:
Fallen into hand of foes
And with bamboo fetters bound,
How can ye conceal your woes,
And with smiling face be found?
On hearing this the Bodhisatta uttered the remaining verses:
There is no good however slight,
That man from groans and mourning e’er will gain.
His adversaries feel delight,
When they behold a foe o’ercome with pain.
But enemies with grief are filled
When with bold front he goes to meet his fate,
And flinches not, as one well-skilled
All things with judgment to discriminate.
Be it by muttered spell or charm,
By lavish gifts, or help of powerful kin,
That he may best escape from harm,
A man should strive some vantage ground to win.
But should he fail to reach success,
With others’ aid or by himself alone,
He should not grieve but acquiesce.
Fate is too strong, his utmost he has done.
Figure: Happy, fearless, and confident
On hearing the Bodhisatta’s exposition of the Dharma, the King, investigated the matter. And discovering the innocence of the boys, he had their chains removed. He bestowed great honor on the Great Being. He made him his temporal and spiritual adviser and his valued minister. He also conferred honor on the other youths and appointed them to various offices.
When the Master had brought this lesson to an end, he identified the birth: “At that time Ānanda was the King of Benares, the inferior clergy were the other youths, and I was the wise youth.”
