Damanaka told Sanjivaka...

 

In the town of Vardhamana, there was once a wealthy merchant called Dantila (दन्तिल). He was prosperous and was an integral member of the king’s inner circles. He could go to the king’s court and chambers anytime he wanted. He was an advisor to the royal administration. Everyone regarded him as clever and knowledgeable.

 

At one point, Dantila organized a lavish wedding reception for his daughter. Several notable personalities attended this function. The king had a servant called Gorambha (गोरम्भ) who was also present at this event. During the evening, the servant mistakenly sat in a seat reserved for noble people.  Dantila felt insulted by this act of Gorambha. He thought to himself, “How could a lowly servant sit at a table meant for important people!” He immediately ordered that Gorambha be kicked out of the building.

 

Gorambha was sent out. He felt humiliated, “This merchant treated me with disrespect. I have to take revenge.”

 

Gorambha came up with a plan. The next day, he went to the king’s chambers early in the morning and pretended to sweep the floor near the bed. When the king was just waking up, and in a half sleep state, Gorambha murmured loud enough for the king to hear, “Oh that Dantila has such audacity. He embraced the queen.”

 

The king woke up with a jolt and said, “Wait! What did you say? Did Dantila really hug my queen?”

 

Gorambha said apologetically, “O King! I was gambling all night and I got no sleep at all. I don’t know what I was muttering. I am so drowsy that I don’t remember what I just said.”

 

The king could not forget what he had heard. Thoughts of jealousy were streaking through his mind, “Could it have been true? Would Dantila really hug my queen? The merchant does have unrestricted access to my palace, so it might have been possible. Maybe Gorambha did see Dantila hugging the queen. People do talk in their sleep about what they saw or did during the day. I should not ignore the sweeper’s words. It is better that I take precautions.”

 

The king was convinced. He ordered that Dantila should be barred from entering the palace any longer. Dantila lost all the royal privileges. He was astonished at the sudden turn of events, “Why would the king turn his back on me even though I had done nothing wrong!”

 

Never think of anyone as too low. Even the most inconsequential of persons may have the power to set you up for failure and success alike.

 

One day, as Dantila tried to enter the palace gates, the guards stopped him. Gorambha saw this and addressed the guards, “Guards! You are fools. Do you not know how powerful this merchant is? He once got me banished from a function because I did not respect him. If you don’t allow him inside, he will punish you as well.”

 

Dantila quickly realized what had happened, “It is the sweeper’s doing”, Dantila thought to himself, “He has somehow made me look bad in the eyes of the king. If he is smart enough to get me banished, he must be smart enough to get me back into the palace. I better make friends with him.”

 

Dantila invited Gorambha to his house one day and showered gifts on him. He even apologized for his rash behavior during the wedding reception.

 

Simple gestures go a long way in making people happy.

 

Gorambha’s ego was satisfied. He decided to help Dantila regain his favor with the king. The next day, when the king was sleeping, the sweeper repeated his drama, this time with a different twist. Just as the king was waking up, Gorambha muttered, “The king eats cucumber in the restroom.”

 

The king woke up startled again, “What! When did I eat cucumber in the restroom? And how could you have seen it?”

 

The sweeper replied, “Forgive me O King! I don’t remember what I just said. I am still drowsy from gambling all night.”

 

The king realized, “If this nut job says such nonsense about me, then what he said about Dantila must be false as well. Plus, in Dantila’s absence, the royal administrative activities have suffered.”

 

The king immediately reinstated Dantila’s position in the palace and all was well once more.

 

Damanaka concluded the story to Sanjivaka, “Therefore, one must always pay respect to those who are close to a king.” 

 

Sanjivaka got the message. He went with Damanaka to meet the lion king.

 

Pingalaka received Sanjivaka and enquired who the bull was. The bull related his story about the merchant, his foot getting stuck in mud and how he ended up in the forest. Pingalaka smiled and responded, “Don’t worry my friend. You are now here in my jungle. Roam freely wherever you want. I assure you that you will be safe.”

 

From then on, Pingalaka – the lion, and Sanjivaka – the bull, became close friends. The lion knew only the jungle and the bull knew only the cities. They learnt from each other. They confided in each other. All other animals were kept at a distance. Over time, Pingalaka became less and less interested in royal sports, killing and most carnivorous activities. He became influenced by the bull and his way of life. He killed only for himself. Those around him, including the jackals, stopped getting leftover meat for food.

 

The jackals were distressed. Damanaka confided to Karataka, “What have I done! We are worse than we were before. We have not only lost all privileges, but we also don’t even get enough food to eat now. I must undo this. I can only blame myself for my actions, like the greedy Sage and the foolish jackal.”

 

Karataka asked, “What is that story?”

 

And Damanaka told Karataka, the story of the greedy Sage and the foolish jackal.