Daḷhadhamma Jātaka
JātakaA Jātaka about a king’s she-elephant who, after years of devoted service, is stripped of her honours in old age and set to hauling a potter’s dung-cart, until she appeals wordlessly to the Bodhisatta as minister by falling at his feet and has her status restored, told about King Udena’s own aging elephant, similarly neglected until she complained to the Buddha.
Once the Bodhisatta was born as minister to Daḷhadhamma, king of Bārāṇasī. The king possessed a she-elephant who was of great service to him and whom he greatly honoured.
When she grew old, however, all her honours were withdrawn and she was given to the king’s potter to drag his cow-dung cart. One day she saw the Bodhisatta and fell at his feet. He interceded with the king on her behalf and all her honours were restored.
The story was told in reference to Udena’s she-elephant Bhaddavatikā (q.v.) In her old age the king neglected her, but one day she complained to the Buddha, who admonished the king on the duty of gratitude to those who had once been of great service. The elephant was the same in both stories. J.iii.384 ff.
All entries named Daḷhadhamma Jātaka
Found an error in the dictionary?