Buddhist Fables

  1. The Story of Ruru Deer
  2. The Story of Two Swans
  3. The Hare on The Moon
  4. The Story of Chaddanta Elephant
  5. The Story of Great Monkey
  6. The Story of The Two Deer
  7. The Story of a Buffalo
  8. Silava Elephant
  9. The Wise Monkey
  10. The Story of the Golden Swan
  11. The Story of The Great Ape
  12. The Mighty Fish
  13. Story of the Monkey King
  14. Lion and Jackal
  15. Somdatta
  16. The Story of the Crows
  17. The Monkey Brothers
  18. The Story of Nigrodha Deer
  19. Kalbahu
  20. Nandivisala
  21. Coronation of Owl
  22. The Feast of the Dead
  23. The Heart of the Monkey
  24. The Story of a Rooster
  25. The Story of a Tigeress
  26. The Pigeon and The Crow
  27. The Story of Romaka Pigeon
  28. The Story of Khardiya Deer
  29. The Thankless Monkey
  30. Can A Fool Ever Act Good!
  31. The Story of a Tortoise
  32. Jackal –The Arbitrator
  33. The Story of a Snake Charmer
  34. The Leather Garment
  35. The Giant Crab
  36. Mahilaimukha Elephant
  37. The Story of Vinilaka

Buddhist Classics

  1. The Sacrifice of Vessantara
  2. The Wisdom of Vidhura Pandita
  3. Chullabodhi – The Conqueror of Anger
  4. The Story of Kushinagar
  5. The Virtue of Forbearance
  6. Matanga – The World’s First Crusader of Untouchability
  7. The Temptation of Isisanga
  8. The Flight of Sakka
  9. Mahajanaka’s Renunciation
  10. The Wine-Jar
  11. The Sacrifice of Sivi
  12. The Box of the Monster
  13. The Lotus Stalk
  14. Kandari – The Handsome Prince
  15. Ghat: The Virtuous King
  16. Supparaka – The Ancient Mariner
  17. Sankhapala: The Naga King
  18. Champeyya
  19. The Baveru Island
  20. The Great Gambler
  21. The Story of The Dumb Prince
  22. The Naive House-Holder
  23. The Jewelled Serpent
  24. The Mango-Thief
  25. The Foot-Print Reader
  26. The Story of Sutasoma
  27. The Story of Sudasa
  28. The Little Bowman
  29. The Envoy of Belly
  30. Story of a Drummer
  31. The King, Who Knew The Language Of Animals
  32. The Happy Man
  33. Sama: The Good Son

Life and Legends of Buddha

  1. Gotama Buddha
  2. Birth Story of Gotama
  3. Maha Maya’s Dream
  4. Sage Asita’s Visit
  5. The Four Sights
  6. Story of Renunciation
  7. The Buddha’s Victory over Mara
  8. The Personality of the Buddha
  9. Nalgiri Elephant
  10. Story of Kumara Kassapa
  11. Dhamma-Chakka-Pavattana-Katha
  12. The Buddha’s Teaching of Abhidhamma
  13. Buddha's Visit to Rahula Mata
  14. The Savatthi Miracles
  15. The Flying Buddha
  16. Story of Parinibbana
  17. Suddhodana
  18. Sujata
  19. Sariputta
  20. Moggallana
  21. Story of Mara
  22. Bimbisara
  23. Nanda
  24. Janapada Kalyani Nanda
  25. The Spiritual Journey of Janapada Kalyani
  26. Phussa Buddha
  27. Vipassi Buddha
  28. Sikhi Buddha
  29. Vessabhu Buddha
  30. Kakusandha Buddha
  31. Konagamana Buddha
  32. Kassapa Buddha
  33. Metteya

The Illustrated Jataka & Other Stories of the Buddha by C. B. Varma Introduction | Glossary | Bibliography

046 – Mahajanaka’s Renunciation

Mahajanaka Jataka, Ajanta

When 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 father’s 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

 

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

 

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.

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 looks detached when Sivali is trying to allure him, 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