Ja 24 The Story about the Horse that was Bred Well
(Ājaññajātaka)
A similar story to the previous one, but this time involving a pair of warhorses. In the present a monk easily gives up striving. To encourage him the Buddha tells a story of a pair of warhorses who strove on and helped capture seven enemy kings for their own king, even though it eventually cost one of them his life. Before dying he also ensured justice for the captors (full story).
1. Yadā yadā, yattha yadā, yattha yattha, yadā yadā,
Ājañño kurute vegaṁ, hāyanti tattha vāḷavā ti.
Whenever the time, wherever, wherever the place, whenever, the thoroughbred is energetic, the mare fades right there.
In this connection, whenever the time means whatever the time, in the morning and so forth.
Wherever means whatever place on the road, or at the front of a battle.
Whenever means at whatever time.
Wherever the place means concerning the seven strongholds and the many battle-fields.
Whenever means at whatever time, at the time of receiving or not receiving blows.
The thoroughbred is energetic means with the charioteer’s agreement the thoroughbred noble Sindh horse is energetic, strives, makes an effort.
The mare fades right there, right there the energy of the other, reckoned as a mare, being an untrainable horse, fades, dimishes. Therefore you should harness me in this chariot is what is said.