Sukhabihari Jataka | Moral story for kids

In ancient times Bodhisattva was born in Udichya Brahmin family during the reign of king Brahmadatta of Baranasi. Worldy life is sorrowful, Renunciation is rather pleasant-thinking so he went to the Himalayas. He took initiation there. At last he acquired the knowledge of meditation and attained eight kinds of contemplation. Five hundred mendicants were with him as disciples.

Once during the rainy season Bodhisattva reached the Himalayas along with his disciples. From there he went to the town and habitation by begging. There he spent three months of the rainy days in the garden of the king as guest. Then he went to the king for permission for departure. The King said, ‘You have grown old. Why will you return to the Himalayas at this old age? You please stay here sending your disciples to the Himalayas.’

He agreed with the request of the king. Then he said to one of his senior disciples. ‘I offer you the responsibility to look after the five hundred disciples. Go to the Himalayas with them. I shall stay here.’

 This senior disciple was once a king before. Leaving the king ship he took initiation. He also attained eight kinds of contemplaton  by deep meditation. By order of the master he went to the Himalayas with the disciples. Then he said, ‘Live here with care. Let me go to the master to pay tribute to him.’

Saying this he went to Baranasi paid tribute to the master, then lay down on a mat. By that very moment the king also came there to meet the mendicant. He paid tribute to the mendicant and took seat beside him. The new comer mendicant did not rise up leaving his bed even to see the king. Lying in bed at ease he began to utter, ‘How happy I am!’ Though the king paid tribute to the new comer mendicant yet he did not leave his bed. The king thought the mendicant might be neglected him. So he was a bit annoyed with him. He said to Bodhisattva, ‘Dear Sir, this mendicant might have an over eating. If not so, why he says to be so happy?’

Bodhisattva said ‘You majesty, ‘this mendicant was a king before like you. But as he so happy as mendicant now he deeply absorbed in pure happiness of meditation by initiation. For this reason being highly agitated he has utterd so swelling by heart.’ Saying this he recited a verse to give him the knowledge of religious truth-

He who need no protector,

No anxious for protecting other,

Such a person tastes

An immense pleasure forever.

He who possesses no desire and craving is really happy. He never contemplates to protect himself nor feels anxiety for protecting other.

Listening to the advice the king paid tribute to Bodhisattva and went back to the palace. The mendicant also paid tribute to Bodhisattva and returned to the Himalayas. Bodhisattva stayed in Baranasi. He died at proper age with full sense and ascended to the Brahmaloka.

Moral : Sacrifice begets happiness, enjoyment is sorrowful.