Jataka 223 Puta Bhatta

Puta Bhatta Jataka

On a time, while Brahmadatta was king in Benares, the Bodhisatta was the son of the king's court. On coming of age he became the king's adviser in things temporal and spiritual. It happened that the king was afraid of his son, lest he might injure him; and sent him away. Taking his wife, the son departed from that city, and came to a village of Kasi, where he dwelt. By and by when the father died, his son hearing of it set out to go back to Benares; "that I may receive the kingdom which is my birthright," said he. On his way one gave him a mess of pottage, saying, "Eat, and give to your wife also." But he gave her none, and did eat it all himself. Thought she "A cruel man this, indeed!" and she was full of sorrow.

When he had come to Benares, and received his kingdom, he made her the queen consort; but thinking "A little is enough for her," he showed her no other consideration or honour, not so much as to ask her how she did.

"This queen," thought the Bodhisatta, "serves the king well, and loves him; but the king spends not a thought upon her. I will make him show her respect and honour."

So he came to the queen, and made salutation, and stood aside. "What is it, dear sir?" she asked.

"Lady," he asked, "how can we serve you? Ought you not to give the old Fathers a piece of cloth or a dish of rice?"

"Dear sir, I never receive anything myself; what shall I give to you? When I received, did I not give? But now the king gives me nothing at all; let alone giving anything else, as he was going along the road he received a bowl of rice, and never gave me a bit he ate it all himself."

"Well, madam, will you be able to say this in the king's presence?"

"Yes," she replied.

"Very well then. To day, when I stand before the king, when I ask my question do you give the same answer; this very day will I make your goodness known." So the Bodhisatta went on before, and stood in the king's presence. And she too went and stood near the king.

Then said the Bodhisatta, "Madam, you are very cruel. Ought you not to give the Fathers a piece of cloth or a dish of food?" And she made answer, "Good sir, I myself receive nothing from the king; what can I give to you?"

"Are you not the queen consort?" quoth he.

"Good sir," said she, "What boots the place of a queen consort, when no respect is paid? What will the king give me now? When he received a dish of rice on the road, he gave me none, but ate it all himself." And the Bodhisatta asked him, "Is it so, O king?" And the king assented. When the Bodhisatta saw that the king assented, "Then lady," quoth he, "why dwell here with the king after he has become unkindly? In the world, union without love is painful. While you dwell here, loveless union with the king will bring you sorrow. These folk honour him that honours, and when one honours not as soon as you see it, you should go elsewhither; they that dwell in the world are many." And he repeated the stanzas following:

"Honour for honour, love for love is due;

Do good to him who does the same to you;

Observance breeds observance; but tis plain

None need help him who will not help again.

"Return neglect for negligence, nor stay

To comfort him whose love is past away.

The world is wide; and when the birds descry

That trees have lost their fruit away they fly."

Hearing this, the king gave his queen all honour; and from that time forward they dwelt together in friendship and harmony.