In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

The Bodhisatta was once born in Mithila as the son of Sirivaddhaka and Sumanadevi. The child was born with a medicinal plant in his hand, and was therefore called Mahosadha. He talked immediately after birth, and it is said that, on the day of his conception, Videha, king of Mithila, dreamed a dream, which presaged the birth of a sage. From early childhood Mahosadha gave evidence of unusual ability, and one of his first acts was to build a large hall and lay out a garden with the help of his companions. The king wished to have him in the court though he was only seven years old, but was dissuaded by his wise men. But he sent a councillor to watch the boy and report of his doings from time to time. When the king was fully convinced (the Jataka gives an account of nineteen problems solved by Mahosadha) that Mahosadha was undoubtedly endowed with unusual wisdom, he sent for him in spite of the counsel of his ministers - Senaka, Pukkusa, Kavinda and Devinda - and appointed him as his fifth councillor. One day, Mahosadha saved the queen Udumbara (q.v.) from the unjust wrath of the king, and ever after she was his firm and loyal friend. After his entry into the court, Mahosadha was on many occasions called upon to match his wit against that of the senior councillors, and on each occasion he emerged triumphant. E.g., in the Mendakapanha (q.v.) and the Sirimandapanha (q.v.).

When aged sixteen he married Amaradevi. She was a wise woman, and frustrated many attempts of Mahosadhas enemies to embroil him with the king. Once they stole various things from the palace and sent them to her. She accepted them, and made assignations with each of the donors. When they arrived she had them seized, their heads shaved, and themselves thrown into the jakes, where she tormented them, and then arraigned them before the king with the stolen goods. Mahosadha, aware of the plots against him, lay in hiding, and the deity of the kings parasol put several questions to the king, knowing that none but Mahosadha could answer them. The king sent men to seek him, and he was discovered working for a potter. The king showed him all honour, and obtained from him the answers to the deitys questions.

But his enemies continued to plot against him, until orders were given by the king that he should be killed the next day. Udumbara, discovered this and warned him. But in the meantime he had discovered the guilty secrets of his enemies: Senaka had killed a courtesan, Pukkusa had a leprous spot on his thigh, Kavinda was possessed by a yakkha named Naradeva, and Devinda had stolen the kings most precious gem. Mahosadha posted these facts everywhere in the city, and the next day went boldly into the palace. The king professed innocence of any evil intentions against him; but Mahosadha exposed the schemes of them all,

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Ummagga, Maha, Jataka.

Full-text: Bimbasundari, Ekunavisatipanha, Ummagga Jataka, Upakarin, Pancalacandi, Pancapandita Jataka, Bhuripanha Jataka, Culani Brahmadatta, Saccaka, Pilotika, Uttarapancala, Potthapada, Pancala, Ubbari.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Maha Ummagga Jataka, Mahā-ummagga-jātaka; (plurals include: Maha Ummagga Jatakas, jātakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)

Jataka 192: Siri-Kāḷakaṇṇi-jātaka < [Book II - Dukanipāta]

Jataka 546: The Mahā-Ummagga-jātaka < [Volume 6]

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