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Sambhava Jātaka (No.515)

Dhanañjaya Koravya, king of Indapatta, asks a question of his chaplain Sucīrata on the Service of Truth (Dhammayāga). Sucīrata confesses ignorance, and declares that none but Vidhura, chaplain of the king of Bārāṇasī, could find the answer. At once the king sends him with an escort and a present and a tablet of gold on which the answer may be written. Sucīrata visits other sages on the way, and finally Vidhura, who had been his school-mate. When the question is asked, Vidhura refers it to his son Bhadrakāra, who, however, is busy with an intrigue with a woman and cannot give attention to the matter. He sends Sucīrata to his younger brother, Sañjaya, but he, too, is occupied, and sends him on to his brother Sambhava (the Bodhisatta), a boy of seven. Sucīrata finds him playing in the street, but when he is asked the question, he answers it with all the fluent mastery of a Buddha. All Bārāṇasī, including the king, hears the answer and stays to listen. Sambhava is paid great honour and receives many presents. Sucīrata notes the answer on the golden tablet and brings it to Dhanañjaya.

The story is related in reference to the Buddha’s great wisdom. Dhanañjaya is identified with Ānanda, Sucīrata with Anuruddha, Vidhura with Mahā-Kassapa, Bhadrakāra with Mahā-Moggallāna, and Sañjaya with Sāriputta. J.v.57‑67.