Jataka Vol. I: Book I.--Ekanipāta: No. 39. Nanda-Jātaka
No. 39.
NANDA-JĀTAKA.
"Methinks the gold."--This story was told by the Master while at Jetavana, about
a co-resident pupil of Sāriputta.
Tradition says that this Brother was meek and docile, and was zealous in
ministering to the Elder. Now, on one occasion the Elder departed with the leave
of the Master, on an alms-pilgrimage, and came to South Magadha. When he got
there, that Brother grew so proud-stomached that he would not do what the Elder
told him. Moreover, if he was addressed with, "Sir, do this," he quarrelled with
the Elder. The Elder could not make out what possessed him.
After making his pilgrimage in those parts, he came back again to Jetavana. The
moment he got back to the monastery at Jetavana, the Brother became again what
he had always been.
The Elder told this to the Buddha, saying, "Sir, a co-resident of mine is in one
place like a slave bought for a hundred pieces, and in another so
proud-stomached that an order to do anything makes him quarrel."
Said the Master, "This is not the first time, Sāriputta, that he has shewn this
disposition; in the past too, if he went to one place, he was like a slave
bought for a hundred pieces, whilst, if he went to another place, he would
become quarrelsome and contentious." And, so saying, by request of the Elder, he
told this story of the past.
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Once on a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta came to
life again as a squire. Another squire, a friend of his, was an old man himself,
but had [225] a young wife who had borne him a son and heir. Said the old man to
himself, "As soon as I am dead, this girl, being so young as she is, will marry
heaven knows whom, and spend all my money, instead of handing it over to my son.
Wouldn't it be my best course to bury my money safely in the ground?"
So, in the company of a household slave of his named Nanda, he went to the
forest and buried his riches at a certain spot, saying to the slave,
p. 99
[paragraph continues] "My good Nanda, reveal this treasure to my son after I am
gone, and don't let the wood be sold."
After giving this injunction to his slave, the old man died. In due course the
son grew up, and his mother said to him, "My son, your father, in the company of
Nanda, buried his money. Get it back and look after the property of the family."
So one day he said to Nanda, "Nunky, is there any treasure which my father
buried?" "Yes, my lord." "Where is it buried?" "In the forest, my lord." "Well,
then, let us go there." And he took a spade and a basket, and going to the
scene, said to Nanda, "Well, nunky, where's the money?" But by the time Nanda
had got up to the treasure and was standing right over it, he was so puffed up
by the money that he abused his master, saying, "You servant of a slave-wench's
son! how should you have any money here?"
The young gentleman, pretending not to have heard this insolence, simply said,
"Let us be going then," and took the slave back home with him. Two or three days
later, he returned to the place; but again Nanda abused him, as before. Without
any abusive rejoinder, the young gentleman came back and turned the matter over
in his mind. Thought he to himself, "At starting, this slave always means to
reveal where the money is; but no sooner does he get there, than he falls to
abusing me. The reason of this I do not see; but I could find out, if I were to
ask my father's old friend, the squire." So he went to the Bodhisatta, and
laying the whole business before him, asked his friend what was the real reason
of such behaviour.
Said the Bodhisatta, "The spot at which Nanda stands to abuse you, my friend, is
the place where your father's money is buried. Therefore, as soon as he starts
abusing you again, say to him, 'Whom are you talking to, you slave?' Pull him
from his perch, take the spade, dig down, remove your fancily treasure, and make
the slave carry it home for you." And so saying, he repeated this stanza:--
[226]
Methinks the gold and jewels buried lie
Where Nanda, low-born slave, so loudly bawls!
Taking a respectful leave of the Bodhisatta, the young gentleman went home, and
taking Nanda went to the spot where the money was buried. Faithfully following
the advice he had received, he brought the money away and looked after the
family property. He remained steadfast in the Bodhisatta's counsels, and after a
life spent in charity and other good works he passed away to fare according to
his deserts.
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Said the Master, "In the past too this man was similarly disposed." His lesson
ended, he shewed the connexion, and identified the Birth, by saying, Sāriputta's
co-resident was the Nanda of those days, and I the wise and good squire,"
Next: No. 40. Khadiraṅgāra-Jātaka
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