Mahasupina Jataka: The Sixteen Dreams (Jat 77)
One morning, when the ministers and brahmans went to the palace to pay their respects to King Pasenadi, the King of Kosala, and to inquire whether His Majesty had slept well, they found him lying in terror, unable to move from his bed.
"How could I sleep well
" exclaimed the king. "Just before daybreak I dreamed sixteen incredible dreams, and I have been lying here terrified ever since! Since you are my advisors, tell me what these dreams mean."
"What were your dreams, sire
" the brahmans asked. "Surely we will be able to judge their importance."
As the king was telling them his dreams, the brahmans looked very worried and began wringing their hands.
"Why are you wringing your hands, brahmans
" asked the king. "Is it because of my dreams
"
"Yes, sire. These are evil dreams. They are full of peril."
"What will come of them
" asked the king.
"They portend one of three calamities, sire — great harm to your kingdom, to your wealth, or to your life."
"Is there any remedy
"
"These dreams are powerful and extremely threatening. Still, we will find a remedy, otherwise what is the use of our vast study and learning
"
"How do you propose to avert the evil
" asked the king.
"Wherever four roads meet, we will offer appropriate sacrifices, sire."
"My advisors," cried the king. "My life is in your hands! Hurry and do your best to save me!"
Each of the exultant brahmans had the same thought: "We are going to make a fortune from these dreams. Soon we will feast on the choicest foods."
As soon as they had left the king”s presence, they began scurrying about, happily giving orders in every direction. They ordered laborers to dig huge sacrificial pits. They demanded herds of various four-footed creatures, all without blemish. They called for baskets of pure white birds of many kinds. Again and again, they discovered something or other lacking. Messengers raced back and forth to inform the king of each new request.
Noticing all the commotion, Queen Mallika went to the king and asked why the brahmans and their servants kept coming to him.
"I envy you," said the king sarcastically. "A snake in your ear, and you don”t even know it!"
"What does your majesty mean
" asked the queen.
"I have dreamed such unlucky dreams! The brahmans tell me they point to disaster. They keep coming here because they are anxious to protect me from the evil by offering sacrifices."
"Has your majesty consulted the Chief Brahman of all the worlds about this
" asked the queen.
"Who do you mean, my dear
" asked the king.
"Of course, I mean Lord Buddha. He will surely understand your dreams. Go to Jetavana and ask him."
"A good idea, my queen," answered the king. "I will go at once."
When the king reached the monastery, he paid his respects to the Buddha and sat down.
"What brings your majesty here so early in the morning
" asked the Buddha.
"Just before daybreak, venerable sir, I dreamed sixteen terrifying dreams. My brahmans have warned me that my dreams foretell calamity. To avert the evil, they are preparing to sacrifice many animals wherever four roads meet. Queen Mallika suggested that I ask you to tell me what these dreams really mean and what will come of them."
"It is true, sire, that I alone can explain the significance of your dreams and tell you what will come of them. Tell me your dreams as they appeared to you."
"I will, Blessed One," answered the king, and he began relating his dreams.
"In the first dream, I saw four jet-black bulls," the king began. "They came together from the four cardinal directions to the royal courtyard with every intention to fight. A great crowd of people gathered to see the bullfight. The bulls, however, only made a show of fighting, pawing and bellowing. Finally…
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