Khanti-Vaṇṇana-Jātaka

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Source: Adapted from Archaic Translation by W.H.D. Rouse
JATAKA No. 225

KHANTI-VANNANA-JATAKA

"There is a man," etc.--This story the Master told at Jetavana monastery, about the king of Kosala. A very useful subordinate intrigued in the harem. Even though he knew the culprit, the king swallowed the insult, because the fellow was useful, and told the Master of it. The Master said, "Other kings in days long gone by have done the same;" and at his request, told the following story.

Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was king of Benares, a man of his court fell into an intrigue in the king's harem, and an attendant of this courtier did the same thing in the courtier's house. The man could not endure to be thus offended. So he led the other before the king, saying, "My lord, I have a servant who does all manner of work, and he has made me a an object of derision as a husband of adultress wife: what must I do with him?" and with the question he uttered this first verse following-

"There is a man within my house, a zealous servant too; He has betrayed my trust, O king! Say--what am I to do?"

On hearing this, the king uttered the second verse:-

"I too a zealous servant have; and here he stands, indeed! Good men, I think, are rare enough: so patience is my advice."

The courtier saw that these words of the king were aimed at him; and for the future dared to do no wrong in the king's house. And the servant also, having come to know that the matter had been told to the king, dared for the future to do that thing no more.

This discourse ended, the Master identified the Birth:-"I was the king of Benares." And the courtier on this occasion found out that the king had told of him to the Master, and never did such a thing again.