The Perfection of Energy - Samvara Jataka II

King Samvara spoke to Prince Uposatha, who was his eldest brother and who was in his last life the venerable Sariputta, the following words:

“I never grudge, O Prince, great sages who are seeking what is supreme

and ready to pay them honour due with humble mind,

I fall before their feet.”
When the prince with humble mind paid honour, falling at other people’s feet, he must have had viriya, endeavour, to eradicate defilements, such as conceit or attachment to the importance of self, the importance of being a prince, the son of the King of Varanasi. Here we see that nothing can be accomplished without viriya. Cittas are varied: some people are jealous of those who have knowledge, but they are not envious in other respects. It depends on someone’s accumulations on account of which kind of object he has envy. If a person has knowledge and understanding, other people should have respect for his  understanding, but some people are still inclined to be jealous. One needs to have viriya, one needs to make an effort to see the danger of jealousy and to get rid of it.
King Samvara continued with the words:

“Wise sages who delight in the excellent teaching of those who seek what is
excellent,

taught me continuously.

I, who was intent on what is right and liked to listen, had no envy.

 

I listened to the words of the wise sages who are seeking what is supreme,

I did not despise any cousel and was delighted with the teaching.

 

I did not reduce the allowances of the elephant troops and chariotmen,

royal guard and infantry,

and I paid them the bonus and reward due to them.

 

Great nobles and wise counsellors are waiting on me and giving me
assistance

so that the city of Varanasi abounds with rice, fish and drinking water.

Merchants who come from different states prosper, and I assist and protect them.

Now you know the truth, Uposatha.”
Because of these words all people could see that the King was endowed with excellent qualities and therefore worthy to be the King of Varanasi.

The Buddha, after he had finished the discourse, spoke the following words:

 

“Monk, long ago you followed the instruction,

but why do you not now strive?”

  The Buddha declared the Truths and at the conclusion that monk was established in the fruition of streamwinning. The Buddha identified the persons in that former life:

 

“That monk was prince Samvara who became the King at that time,

Sariputta was prince Uposatha,

the Elders and secondary Elders were the other princes,

the buddhist followers were their followers,

and I myself was the courtier who advised the King.”