Jataka 225 Khanti Vannana

Khanti Vannana Jataka

Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was king of Benares, a man of his court fell into an intrigue in the king's harem, and an attendant of this courtier did the same thing in the courtier's house. The man could not endure to be thus affronted. So he led the other before the king, saying, "My lord, I have a servant who does all manner of work, and he has made me a cuckold; what must I do with him?" and with the question he uttered this first verse following:

"There is a man within my house, a zealous servant too;

He has betrayed my trust, O king! Say what am I to do?"

On hearing this, the king uttered the second verse:-

"I too a zealous servant have; and here he stands, indeed!

Good men, I trow, are rare enow; so patience is my rede."

The courtier saw that these words of the king were aimed at him; and for the future durst do no wrong in the king's house. And the servant likewise, having come to know that matter had been told to the king, durst for the future do that thing no more.