मिथिला के एक राजा की मृत्यु के पश्चात् उसके दो
बेटों में भयंकर युद्ध हुआ। अंतत:
बड़ा भाई मारा गया और छोटा भाई
राजा बना। बड़े भाई की पत्नी अपने पुत्र को
लेकर एक वन में किसी संयासी की शरण
में रहने लगी। वहीं उसने अपने बढ़ते पुत्र को अपने दादा और पिता के
राज्य को पुन: प्राप्त करने के लिए उत्प्रेरित किया।
सोलह वर्ष की अवस्था में पुत्र ने पैतृक
राज्य प्राप्त करने के लिए धन और सेना इकट्ठा करने की ठानी।
अत: उसने सुवर्णभूमि को प्रस्थान किया। किन्तु
रास्ते में उसका जहाज़ डूब गया। सात दिनों तक
समुद्र में तैरते हुए उसने किसी तरह अपनी जान
बचायी। आठवें दिन एक देव-दूती ने उसे देखा और उसकी हिम्मत की सराहना करती हुई उसे एक
फूल की तरह उठा मिथिला की एक आम्र
वाटिका में सुरक्षित लिटा दिया। उसी दिन मिथिला के
राजा की मृत्यु हो गई, जो और कोई नहीं उस कुमार का चाचा ही था।
जब लोग राजपुरोहित के साथ ढोल
बजाते हुए एक नये राजा की खोज में जा रहे थे तो
उनकी दृष्टि आम्र वाटिका में सोते कुमार पर पड़ी। मिथिला-पुरोहित ने किशोर के
शरीर पर राजा-योग्य कई लक्षण देखे।
अत: उसने उसे जगा कर महल में आमंत्रित किया। वहाँ
राजकुमारी सीवली ने उससे कुछ पहेलियाँ पूछी जिसका जवाब कुमार ने
बड़ी बुद्धमानी से दिया। फिर दोनों की
शादी करा दी गयी और वह किशोर मिथिला का नया
राजा बना दिया गया। इस प्रकार कुमार ने अपने दादा और पिता का
राज्य पुन: प्राप्त कर लिया। सिवली से उसे एक पुत्र की
भी प्राप्ति हुई।
कालान्तर में महाजनक संयास को उन्मुख हुआ और सीवली की प्रत्येक चेष्टा के
बाद भी गृहस्थ जीवन का परित्याग कर
संयासी बन गया।
Mahajanaka Jataka, Ajanta
W hen Mahajanaka of Mithila died his eldest son Aritthajanaka became the king and his younger brother Polajanaka became the Viceroy. But some confusion made the younger brother rebellious. Then a war followed in which the elder brother was killed. But before Polajanaka could usurp the throne the chief queen, who was then in a family way escaped with her unborn son and plenty of gems to a far off land, where she lived with some ascetic like his sister. There, she delivered the prince, who was named after his grandfather. When the prince was sixteen he decided to capture his fathers kingdom. So, to raise money and muster up troops he sailed to the Suvannabhumi (Myanmaar). On the way, the boat capsized and he strove hard to survive on the sea to reach the shore. On the seventh day a celestial nymph named Manimekhala saw him struggling hard to survive and was impressed by his valour and strong determination. So, she gave him the offer to take him to his destination to realise his ambition. When Mahajanaka accepted the offer she tossed him in the air like a flower and held him up in the air and flew to Mithila where she placed him in a mango grove. When being placed there, Mahajanaka was in his deep slumber.
The people celebrating the coronation of Mahajanaka, Ajanta
King Mahajanaka riding on an elephant, Ajanta
That was the time when king Polanajasaka, the king of Mithila died. As he had no son and as he had wished on his death-bed that his successor had to be acceptable to the princess Sivali his ministers had sent a royal chariot accompanied with bands and beating of drums to look for an ideal groom all around. Finally, they located a person sleeping under a tree. The royal chaplain saw the auspicious marks on his feet and recommended him for the royal invitation. Further, when Mahajanaka solved all the riddles to impress the princess and pass the tests to qualify as the king of Mithila. he was married to the the princess. So, he became the ruler of Mithila. Sivali bore him a son named Dighavukumara.
Toilet scene of the lady. Sivali is dressing her best to impress Mahajanaka. She looks impatient as she places her legs in an awkward position, Ajanta
One day, strolling in
the royal mango-grove the king noticed that a fruit-laden mango tree was
ravaged by the people, however, a barren tree on the other side was left
untouched; and lay in peace. So, the quest for peace in the king became
intense in his heart and he resolved to give up all the fruits of riches
and worldly life. Since then he led the life of a recluse. Pretty Sivali,
however, tried to win him over in many ways. She dressed her best and used
the best of the cosmetics to allure him but failed. Detached, the king
eventually renounced the royal life and retired as a hermit in a forest.
He who does all a man can do is free from guilt towards his kin
The lord of heaven acquits him too and he feels no remorse within.
(Cowell 36)
So, I will ever do my best to fight through ocean to the shore
While strength holds out I still will strive nor yield till I can strive no more.
(Cowell 37)
Sivali in her best dress and cosmetics to allure Mahajanaka , Ajanta
Mahajanaka is identified with Bodhisatta; and Sivali with Rahulamata. This Jataka exemplifies the viriya-paramita (Perfection of Valour).
Mahajanaka Jataka Jataka Pali No. 539