In the jungle, there lived a lion by the name of Bhasuraka. He was very powerful and used to kill the other animals indiscriminately.
One day, all the antelopes, boars, buffaloes, hares, and the rest went together to the lion and said, “Master, why do you persist in killing so many of us everyday so unnecessarily, when one animal would satisfy your hunger? Please come to an understanding with us. From today onward we promise to send to your lair, one animal everyday for your food, if in return you guarantee that we shall be able to wander about unmolested in the jungle. In this way, you will have no trouble maintaining yourself and we won’t be killed so indiscriminately.”
“As by taking medicine in small doses, A man grows strong, So too a king becomes powerful By taxing his subjects bit by bit. A cow must be well cared for, Before she yields milk And the creepers watered Before they give beautiful flowers, So too a king must take care of his subjects, If he wants to get the best out of them.”
When he had finished listening to this, Bhasuraka said, “It’s very true, what you say, but if I don’t receive one animal everyday, I shall eat every one of you!”
The animals promised that they would keep their word. Accordingly, everyday they drew lots, sent one animal to the lion and roamed in the jungle, unaided.
One day it was the hare’s turn. Forced by the other animals, he made his way to the lion, slowly and very much against his will.
On the way, the hare was considering how he might kill the lion, when he came to a well. He leapt up on the edge and saw his reflection in the water. At this, he thought to himself, “Now I know a way that won’t fail. I’ll deceive the lion and make him fall into the well.”
By the time the hare reached the lion, the sun was setting. Bhasuraka was in a fury because he had been kept waiting; He licked his lips hungrily and said to himself, “The first thing I’ll do tomorrow is kill all those animals!”
When he was thinking this, the hare came slowly and stood before him. The lion flared up and began to shout at him, “You miserable creature! First you are too small and secondly you are late. Well, for this, I’m going to kill you immediately and I’ll kill the rest of them in the jungle tomorrow morning.”
“Master,” replied the hare very humbly, “it is not my fault nor the fault of the other animals. Please listen and I will explain.”
“Hurry up and tell me before I crush you!” said the lion.
“Well,” said the hare, “today it fell to my lot to come to you. Because I am small, they sent four other hares with me. On the way, a huge lion came out of the den and cried, “Ho! You! Where are you going? Call upon your chosen deity!” And I said, “Sir, we are all going to our master Bhasuraka at the appointed time to fulfill our promise.”
“And he said, “Who is this Bhasuraka? I’m the master of the jungle! You should fulfill your promises only to me. Bhasuraka is an imposter! I shall hold four of you hares as hostages while you (meaning me) go and challenge Bhasuraka to a trial of strength with me. Whoever turns out to be stronger, deserves to be king of the jungle and only he shall eat all the hares !”
“And so,” continued the hare, “I have come to you as he ordered me to. That is why I am late. Now, do as you think best.”
When he heard this, Bhasuraka said, “Friend, if this is true, then take me to this pretender immediately so that I can pour out on him all my rage against you and then I shall be quiet!”
“Master,” said the hare, “it is the truth, but this lion lives in a stronghold. It’s difficult to attack someone who is hiding in a stronghold, for they say: “A single archer, behind the wall of a castle Can fight a hundred men of the enemy.”‘
When he heard this, Bhasuraka replied, “Friend! He may have hidden himself in his stronghold, but just show him to me and I’ll kill him, for they say: “Suppress your enemies and diseases At the very beginning Or they will become strong And destroy you.”
“That’s true,” said the hare, “but I’ve seen him. He is very strong. It would be unwise of you to approach him without finding out exactly what his strength is, for they say: “He who attacks an enemy, Without knowing his strength, Is sure to be destroyed, Like a moth in the fire.”‘
“That’s not your concern,” said Bhasuraka, “just take me to him!”
“Very well then,” said the hare, “come with me.”
The hare went ahead so as to lead the lion to the well.
When they reached the well, the hare said to the lion, “My Lord! Who can withstand your power! The impostor has seen you coming and has hidden himself in his stronghold!” And the hare pointed out the well.
The foolish lion saw his reflection in the water and imagined that it was his enemy. He roared fearfully and at once his roar was doubly echoed from the well: Furious at the other lion, he leapt in upon him and was drowned.
Very pleased with himself, the hare went back to the jungle and told the other animals what had happened. They showered him with praise and all lived happily ever after.
“And so,” continued Damanaka, “that’s why I said: It’s the clever man who is powerful. Now, if you think fit, I shall use my cleverness to create dissension between the lion and Saajivaka.”
“If you can,” said Karataka, “then do it. And may God protect you.”
One day, shortly afterwards, seeing Pingalaka sitting apart from Sanjivaka, Damanaka bowed and stood before him.
“My friend!” said Pingalaka. “Where have you been hiding for so long?”
“I didn’t come,” said Damanaka, “because you wouldn’t have anything to do with me. But I have come now, of my own accord, to talk with you because I see the impending destruction of all your administration and my heart is heavy with grief.”
When he heard Damanaka speaking so intently, Pingalaka asked him, “What are you trying to say to me? Out with it!”
“Master,” replied Damanaka, “Sanjivaka hates you! This very ox that you consider to be your friend, is in reality your enemy. He told me in confidence, ‘Damanaka, I have got to know all about Pingalaka’s strength and weaknesses. I am going to kill him and become king of the animals. Then I shall appoint you as my minister.'”
When Pingalaka heard this, he was flabbergasted, as if a thunderbolt had struck him, and he could not speak.
Damanaka saw this and thought to himself, “Pingalaka certainly has too much confidence in Sanjivaka. Undoubtedly this will lead to Pingalaka’s destruction. They say:
‘When a king submits himself entirely
To one adviser,
That man becomes haughty and mad for power: He will try to be independent
And as this desire grows in his heart,
In the end, he will secretly plan the king’s death.'”
After some time, Pingalaka recovered himself and said, “What shall I do? Sanjivaka has become as dear to me as my own life. I cannot believe that he could betray me.”
“Master,” replied Damanaka, “being a servant is always painful. Only the weak, the ones with no initiative, faithfully serve the king forever.”
-“All the same,” said Pingalaka, “still my mind is not poisoned against him.”
-“Your Majesty,” said Damanaka, “you are making a great mistake. And in any case, what particular virtue do you see in Sanjivaka? He is a fellow without qualities! And if you think that he is a heavy animal and will help you kill your enemies, you are mistaken. He is a mere grass-eater and all your enemies are carnivorous. And so, the best thing you can do is accuse him of some offense and kill him.”
-“To find fault with someone after openly singing his praises,” said Pingalaka, “will be like breaking an oath. Besides, I have given my word, as you advised me to, that he would be safe. How then can I kill him with my own hands? Sanjivaka is a real friend to me, I have no reason whatever to be angry with him, for:
‘It is not good to cut down even a poisonous tree,
If it has been planted by one’s own hands.’
And,
‘First it is foolish to love,
But if love one must,
That love should be allowed to grow.’
And again,
‘It is shameful to raise someone up
And afterwards to cause his downfall.’
-“And so, even if Sanjivaka has turned traitor to me, I shall not lift my hand against him.”
-“Your Majesty,” replied Damanaka, “to take pity on an enemy is against the royal code. And if you follow this non-violent creed, where will the others get meat from? If they forsake you, you too will die. When you are in the company of Sanjivaka, you don’t even think of going out hunting, because:
‘In the company of the wicked,
The good follow the wrong path,
And so the wise shun the company of wicked men.’
And,
‘Refrain from entertaining a man
Whose character is unknown.
The bug was at fault
But instead they killed the flea.’ “
-“How was that?” asked Pingalaka.
And Damanaka told: THE STORY OF THE BUG AND THE FLEA