Ja 184 The Story about (the Horse Trainer) Giridanta
(Giridantajātaka)
In the present a monk ordained under the Buddha is easily persuaded to partake of Devadatta’s good food, rather than go on almsround. He is brought to the Buddha who tells a story about king Sāma’s war-horse called Paṇḍava who imitated his lame trainer named Giridatta. When a fit trainer was brought for him he stopped being lame himself.
1. Dūsito Giridattena, hayo Sāmassa Paṇḍavo,
Porāṇaṁ pakatiṁ hitvā, tassevānuvidhiyyatī ti.
Corrupted by Giridatta, king Sāma’s horse called Paṇḍava, abandoning his previous nature, he follows his trainer.
In this connection, Sāma’s horse means king Sāma’s state horse.
Abandoning his former nature, putting aside his own elegant, former nature.
He follows means he does likewise.
2. Sace ca tanujo poso, sikharākārakappito,
Ānane naṁ gahetvāna, maṇḍale parivattaye,
Khippam-eva pahantvāna, tassevānuvidhiyyatī ti.
If a man, a kinsman, provided with a good disposition, having taken him by the bit, guides him around the enclosure, quickly abandoning his limping, he follows the trainer.
In this connection, a kinsman means his brother. Being of similar birth he is a brother, his brother or kinsman is said. This is what is said: If, great king, the horse has elegance and a virtuous manner, it is suitable that he is a man born with elegance and possesses a virtuous manner.
Provided with a good disposition, having a good, beautiful manner, with trimmed hair and beard, having taken that horse by the bit, he would guide him around the horses’ ring, quickly abandoning the limping state, thinking: “This elegant and virtuous groom will train me.” Through perceiving this he quickly follows him, he does likewise, he will surely remain in that natural state, this is the meaning.