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The Manoja Jātaka: When a Friend Leads You Astray
Everyday life

The Manoja Jātaka: When a Friend Leads You Astray

Manojajātakaṃ

The lion Manoja befriends a jackal and follows its advice until he is struck by a hunter's arrow, while the friend runs off to find someone new. The verses teach that associating with the wicked brings no lasting happiness, and that one should associate with those better than oneself.

7 points

In the Manoja Jātaka of the Book of Sevens in the Jātaka, Khuddaka Nikāya, the first verses are spoken by Manoja's companion, who sees the movement of the bow and bowstring and knows that Manoja, king of beasts, must have been killed. He then decides to go off wherever he pleases, reasoning that while he lives he can find another friend.

The following verses say that one who associates with the wicked does not find lasting happiness: look at Manoja lying in his blood because he followed Giriya's advice. A mother does not rejoice in a son who keeps company with the wicked; one who does not follow the words of well-wishers sinks low; a superior being who associates with inferiors becomes even worse. They conclude: associating with the inferior, one declines; with an equal, one never declines; with one who is better, one rises quickly — so associate with those better than yourself.

In the Tipiṭaka the Jātaka consists only of verses. The verses say that Manoja associated with a jackal and died by an arrow. The commentary adds that Giriya was the jackal's name, that it urged Manoja to seize the king's horses until he was shot, and that Manoja's parents had already warned him against its company.

  1. 1

    Bad friends abandon us when danger comes Labbhā me jīvato sakhā

    When Manoja's companion realises Manoja must have been killed, he decides to go off wherever he pleases, thinking that as long as he lives he can find a new friend. He shows no grief or sense of responsibility towards the friend he led there.

    Applying it in daily life

    Notice which friends urge you into risks while keeping their own distance. When trouble comes, such people are rarely there to help.

  2. 2

    Associating with the wicked brings no lasting happiness Na pāpajanasaṃsevī accantaṃ sukhamedhati

    One who associates with wicked people does not find lasting happiness. The fun or gain from such company may last a while, but not long.

    Applying it in daily life

    If a relationship brings fun but leaves trouble behind every time — drinking until there's a fight, or invitations to gamble — begin to step back.

  3. 3

    Beware of advice that leads into danger Giriyassānusāsanī

    The verses say Manoja came to lie like that because he followed Giriya's advice. Ruin came not from mere acquaintance but from agreeing to do what an ill-wisher urged.

    Applying it in daily life

    When someone pitches an investment with unusually high returns or invites you into something illegal, ask: if it goes wrong, who bears the loss?

  4. 4

    A mother does not rejoice in a son who keeps bad company Na pāpasampavaṅkena mātā puttena nandati

    A mother does not rejoice in a son who keeps company with the wicked; look at Manoja lying covered in blood. The suffering of wrong company falls not only on us but also on those who love us.

    Applying it in daily life

    If your parents or household worry about your friends, instead of arguing straight away, ask what they see that you don't yet see.

  5. 5

    Ignoring well-wishers, one sinks low Yo ve hitāna vacanaṃ na karoti

    One who does not follow the words of well-wishers who point out what is beneficial comes to such a state and sinks lower.

    Applying it in daily life

    Learn to tell apart a warning that is uncomfortable to hear but well-meant from an invitation that is fun to hear but leads into risk.

  6. 6

    However capable, company can bring us down Yo uttamo adhamajanūpasevī

    A superior being who associates with inferiors becomes even worse — like the lion, greatest of beasts, who kept company with a jackal and died by an arrow. One's own ability gives no protection from the results of wrong company.

    Applying it in daily life

    People with knowledge, position or reputation need to be especially careful about those around them, since ill-intentioned people often approach to use what we have.

  7. 7

    Associate with those better than yourself Tasmā attano uttaraṃ bhajetha

    One who associates with the inferior declines; one who associates with an equal does not decline; one who approaches someone better rises quickly. Therefore associate with those better than yourself.

    Applying it in daily life

    Think of the five people closest to you. If none of them makes you want to be a better person, look for chances to spend more time with people like that.

Try it in daily life

This story is very close to home, especially for young people and working adults. Friends who draw you into risky things usually don't bear the consequences for you, and are often the first to vanish when things actually go wrong.

The words "high" and "low" in the verses should be understood as referring to conduct, not to wealth, family background or education. Someone "better than yourself" is someone with virtue and wisdom who draws you towards becoming better.

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