Khuddaka Nikaya - Jataka - Dukanipata - Giridanta Jataka

Jataka Vol. II: Book II. Dukanipāta: No. 184. Giridanta-Jātaka



No. 184.
GIRIDANTA-JĀTAKA.
[98] "Thanks to the groom," etc.--This story the Master told while staying in
Veḷuvana Park, about keeping bad company. The circumstances have been already
recounted under the Mahilāmukha Jātaka 1. Again, as before, the Master said: "In
former days this Brother kept bad company just as he does now." Then he told an
old story.
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Once upon a time, there was a king named Sāma, the Black, reigning in Benares.
In those days the Bodhisatta was one of a courtier's family, and grew up to be
the king's temporal and spiritual adviser. Now the king had a state horse named
Paṇḍava, and one Giridanta was his trainer, a lame man. The horse used to watch
him as he tramped on and on in front, holding the halter; and knowing him to be
his trainer, imitated him and limped too.
Somebody told the king how the horse was limping. The king sent surgeons. They
examined the horse, but found him perfectly sound; and so accordingly made
report. Then the king sent the Bodhisatta. "Go, friend," said he, "and find out
all about it." He soon found out that the horse was lame because he went about
with a lame trainer. So he told the king what it was. "It's a case of bad
company," said he, and went on to repeat the first stanza:--
"Thanks to the groom, poor Paṇḍava is in a parlous state:
No more displays his former ways, but needs must imitate."
p. 68
"Well, now, my friend," said the king, "what's to be done?" "Get a good groom,"
replied the Bodhisatta, "and the horse will be as good as ever." Then he
repeated the second stanza:--[99]
"Find but a fit and proper groom, on whom you can depend,
To bridle him and exercise, the horse will quickly mend;
His sorry plight will be set right; he imitates his friend."
The king did so. The horse became as good as before. The king showed great
honour to the Bodhisatta, being pleased that he knew even the ways of animals.
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The Master, when this discourse was ended, identified the Birth:--"Devadatta was
Giridanta in those days; the Brother who keeps bad company was the horse; and
the wise counsellor was I myself."



Footnotes
67:1 No. 26.



Next: No. 185. Anabhirati-Jātaka