Khuddaka Nikaya - Jataka - Dukanipata - Indasamanagotta Jataka

Jataka Vol. II: Book II. Dukanipāta: No. 161. Indasamānagotta-Jātaka



No. 161.
INDASAMĀNAGOTTA-JĀTAKA.
[41] "Friendship with evil," etc.--This is a story told by the Master while at
Jetavana, about a headstrong person; and the circumstances will be found in the
Vulture Birth 1, of the Ninth Book. The Master said to this Brother--"In olden
days, as now, you were trampled to death by a mad elephant because you were so
headstrong and careless of wise men's advice." And he told the old story.
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Once upon a time, while Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta was born
of a brahmin family. On growing up he left his worldly home and took to the
religious life, and in time became the leader of a company of five hundred
anchorites, who all lived together in the region of Himalaya.
Amongst these anchorites was a headstrong and unteachable person named
Indasamānagotta. He had a pet elephant. The Bodhisatta sent for him when he
found this out, and asked if he really did keep a young elephant? Yes, the man
said, he had an elephant which had lost its dam. "Well," the Bodhisatta said,
"when elephants grow up they kill even those who foster them; so you had better
not keep it any longer." "But I can't live without him, my Teacher!" was the
reply. "Oh, well," said the Bodhisatta, "you'll live to repent it."
Howbeit he still reared the creature, and by and bye it grew to an immense size.
It happened once that the anchorites had all gone far afield to gather roots and
fruits in the forest, and they were absent for several days. At the first breath
of the south wind this elephant fell in a frenzy.
p. 29
[paragraph continues] "Destruction to this hut!" thought he, "I'll smash the
water-jar! I'll overturn the stone bench! I'll tear up the pallet! I'll kill the
hermit, and then off I'll go!" So he sped into the jungle, and waited watching
for their return.
The master came first, [42] laden with food for his pet. As soon as he saw him,
he hastened up, thinking all was well 1. Out rushed the elephant from the
thicket, and seizing him in his trunk, dashed him to the ground, then with a
blow on the head crushed the life out of him; and madly trumpeting, he scampered
into the forest.
The other anchorites brought this news to the Bodhisatta. Said he, "We should
have no dealings with the bad;" and then he repeated these two verses:--
"Friendship with evil let the good eschew,
The good, who know what duty bids them do:
They will work mischief, be it soon or late,
Even as the elephant his master slew."
"But if a kindred spirit thou shalt see,
In virtue, wisdom, learning like to thee,
Choose such an one to be thy own true friend;
Good friends and blessing go in company."
[43] In this way the Bodhisatta showed his band of anchorites that it is well to
be docile and not obstinate. Then he performed Indasamānagotta's obsequies, and
cultivating the Excellences, came at last into Brahma's heaven.
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After concluding this discourse, the Master identified the Birth: "This unruly
fellow was then Indasamānagotta, and I was myself the teacher of the anchorite
band."



Footnotes
28:1 Gijjha-jātaka, No. 427.
29:1 Or, "with his usual greeting, or signal."



Next: No. 162. Santhava-Jātaka