Hamsa Jataka : A Tale of the Golden Ghoose

Hamsa Jataka : A Tale of the Golden Ghoose

Ajanta Caves,Gupta Period,5th Century CE

            Once upon a time the Bodhisattva lived as a golden goose in a lake with his flock. One day the Queen of Benaras had a dream where she saw a golden goose. She asked the King to get her the golden goose. He built a beautiful lake in order to attract the birds. One day the golden goose landed with his flock. The goose realised it was a trap to capture him. But he kept quiet till the flock had fed itself to its satisfaction.  Afterwards, the goose cried out about the danger. All the geese flew off. But Sumukha, the minister of the golden goose refused to leave his master. Both were caught and taken to the court. When the King heard about Sumukha' s loyalty towards his King, he was overwhelmed.  He received both of them with great honour. The golden goose taught the Dharma to the court. 

            Here we see the King with his courtiers listening to the golden goose with rapt attention.  The golden goose is sitting on a throne to the bottom right corner of the painting.  Faintly one can make out  two dark women who have brought a tray full of fruits. The pomp and show of the court is well portrayed in the attire, the jewels and the furniture of the court. 

            Loyalty is a virtue exhaulted by every civilisation : loyalty to family, friends, community and to the nation. Sumukh is an example of loyalty to the King and thus to the nation. 

            Further, in order to attract best ideas we have to create the right environment.  Only then do we receive the Dharma. We should be open to receive ideas from all corners of the world. After all, the court had received the sermon on Dharma from a bird!