Jataka Tales 24: Ajanna

Ajanna Jataka This story which concerned another monk who gave up persevering was told by the Buddha while at Jetavana. In this case he said to the monks: "Monks, in days long gone, the wise and good still persevered even when wounded."

Then he told this story from the past.

Story from the past Once at the time when Brahmadatta was reigning as king in Benares there were seven kings who besieged the city just as in the previous story. So a warrior was chosen and he fought from a chariot drawn by two Sindh war-horses (a pair of stallions of the same parentage).

They sallied forth from the city, attacked and broke down six camps and captured six kings. At this point the elder of the two horses was wounded.

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The warrior drove the chariot up to the king's gate, unsaddled the wounded horse, took off its armour and prepared another horse to take its place. This wounded horse was the Bodhisatta in that life. Realising what was in the mind of the warrior he had the same thoughts as in the previous story. Calling for the charioteer he spoke thus while he lay on the ground: "The thoroughbred goes on and on, wherever it may be, in sickness and in health, while the ordinary give up.'

And so the Bodhisatta was set upon his feet.

Reharnessed and in his armour he took part in the charge that broke the seventh camp and captured its king. They drove up to the king's gate and were welcomed by Brahmadatta.

Unharnessed he lay on his side. Then and there the Bodhisatta gave counsels to the king as in the previous story, and then he died.

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He was cremated with due respect, and the warrior who fought and won for the king was heaped with honours. The king ruled righteously and eventually passed away.

End of story of the past When the lesson ended the Buddha discoursed on the Truths at the end of which the wayward brother won Arahatship. The Buddha identified the birth and said: "Ananda was the king and the Tathagata was the noble horse in those days."

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