Naratha Jataka
The Ten Birth Stories of the Buddha
Naratha Jataka
Perfection of Equanimity
Translated by:
Mr. Jean-Francois Leduc
Phramaha Jerm Boonthong
Phramaha Prassert Ammart-Ek
There was a righteous king in Mithila City, by the name of Angghatiraja. He had a daughter named Ruja. They were both virtuous. Later on King Angghatiraja misunderstood the words of Chivok who said there was no sin, no merit, no Thereafter, the everyone was equal, that alms giving was useless, that there was no way to make someone good or bad, that the giver was foolish ans the receiver wise. The King gave up making merit and started turning to sensual pleasures. His daughter, Ruja, tried very hard to convince her father to follow the right path. However she tried, she did not succeed. So she made a wish that the gods inspire her father to renounce his bad behaviour. Bodhisat (Buddha-to-be) who was then living as Brahma Naratha and had turned himself into a hermit carrying a rattan frame decorated with pearls on his shoulders, came down sitting on King Angghati's throne. The latter asked Brahma Naratha where he came from and where he got his power. Brahma Naratha responded he came from Heaven because he practiced the 4 Dhamma Laws i.e. truth, righteousness, patience and charity in his previous life and his good deeds were the source of his power in this life. The King then asked Brahma Naratha to teach him the way to Heaven. So Brahma Naratha taught him. Thus, the King was convinced and he gave up his wrong behaviour. He started following the right path and ruled his people according to the Ten ways of the King.
