Jātaka Tales 161

This verse is not included in this edition.

Indasamānagotta-Jātaka

“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, 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.

This verse is not included in this edition.

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.

This verse is not included in this edition.

Amongst these anchorites was a headstrong and unteachable person named Indasamanagotta. 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.”

This verse is not included in this edition.

Howbeit he still reared the creature, and by and bye it grew to an immense size.

This verse is not included in this edition.

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. “Destruction to this hut” thought he, “I'll smash the waterjar! I'll overturn the stone bench! I'll tear up the pallet! Ill kill the hermit, and then off I'll go” So he sped into the jungle, and waited watching for their return.

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The master came first, laden with food for his pet. As soon as he saw him, he hastened up, thinking all was well', 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.

This verse is not included in this edition.

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:—

Indasamānagottajātaka

“Na santhavaṁ kāpurisena kayirā, Ariyo anariyena pajānamatthaṁ; Cirānuvutthopi karoti pāpaṁ, Gajo yathā indasamānagottaṁ.

“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.”

Yaṁ tveva jaññā sadiso mamanti, Sīlena paññāya sutena cāpi; Teneva mettiṁ kayirātha saddhiṁ, Sukho have sappurisena saṅgamo”ti.

“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.”

This verse is not included in this edition.

In this way the Bodhisatta showed his band of anchorites that it is well to be docile and not obstinate. Then he performed Indasamanagotta’s obsequies, and cultivating the Excellences, came at last into Brahma’s heaven.

This verse is not included in this edition.

After concluding this discourse, the Master identified the Birth: “This unruly fellow was then Indasamanagotta, and I was myself the teacher of the anchorite band.”