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The Somanassa Jātaka: Reflect First, Then Act
Everyday life

The Somanassa Jātaka: Reflect First, Then Act

Nisamma ca kataṃ kammaṃ

A king hears only a fraudulent ascetic's complaint and orders his son punished at once. The prince asks to see his father, explains the truth, and teaches that an action done without reflection brings harm like medicine misused, while an action done after reflection brings no regret later.

7 points

In the Somanassa Jātaka of the Book of Twenties, Jātaka, Khuddaka Nikāya, the verses tell how a king finds an ascetic he reveres lying in distress and asks who has harmed him. The ascetic says he harms no one, but has been harassed by the king's son. Enraged, the king orders Prince Somanassa put to death at once. The prince asks to be taken to his father first, and asks what he has done wrong.

The king asks why he called an ascetic who tends the sacred fire morning and evening a "householder". The prince replies that the man keeps many stores of roots, tubers and fruit and guards them, and the king agrees this is true. The prince then declares before the assembly that the king, listening to a fool, would have him killed without cause, and asks leave to go forth. The king asks forgiveness for this one fault. The prince then speaks verses on reflecting before acting, comparing it to medicine used well or badly. At the end the queen mother too supports her son's going forth.

The background comes from the commentary: the ascetic was a fraud who grew vegetables for sale. Seeing this, the prince called him "householder vegetable-seller" and did not pay respects. Afraid of being exposed, the ascetic smashed his water pots, scattered his things, and lay covered up as if he had been assaulted, waiting for the king to return from the border. According to the commentary, the Buddha told this story with reference to Devadatta.

  1. 1

    A complaint that sounds sympathetic Puttena te heṭhayitosmi deva

    The ascetic lies in distress and says he harms no one but has been harassed by the prince. The king believes him at once out of reverence for the speaker, without asking for witnesses or hearing the prince at all.

    Applying it in daily life

    When someone tells you another person has hurt them, listen and care for their feelings first, but don't conclude who is at fault until you've heard the other side.

  2. 2

    Truth that can be checked Tasmā ahaṃ brūmi gahappatīti

    The prince doesn't defend himself emotionally but points to facts: the ascetic keeps many stores and guards them, so he called him a householder. The king himself agrees that this is so.

    Applying it in daily life

    When accused, respond with things the other side can verify — documents, messages or witnesses — rather than arguing in anger.

  3. 3

    Medicine used well and badly Bhesajjasseva vebhaṅgo

    An action done without reflection, thought through carelessly, brings a bad result, like medicine misused and turned harmful. An action done after reflection, thought through carefully, brings a good result, like medicine used rightly that cures.

    Applying it in daily life

    Before a decision that's hard to reverse — firing someone, ending a relationship, posting an accusation — write down your reasons and wait one night.

  4. 4

    Four things that are not good Rājā na sādhu anisammakārī

    A lazy householder who enjoys sensual pleasures is not good; an unrestrained renunciant is not good; a king who acts without reflection is not good; a wise person given to anger is not good. Each lacks the most essential quality of their role.

    Applying it in daily life

    Ask yourself what quality is indispensable in the roles you hold — parent, manager, someone others listen to — and whether you are keeping it today.

  5. 5

    The powerful must reflect before punishing Nisamma daṇḍaṃ paṇayeyya issaro

    A ruler should reflect first and then impose punishment. What is done in haste causes burning regret. The fame and honour of a ruler who reflects before acting grow.

    Applying it in daily life

    If you hold a position where you can reward or punish others, make a rule never to decide something important on the same day you hear about it.

  6. 6

    What leaves no regret afterwards Anānutappā te bhavanti pacchā

    Right resolve and a person's true benefit bring no regret afterwards. Those who discern and distinguish before acting do only deeds they need not regret, which the wise praise and which yield happiness.

    Applying it in daily life

    Use the question "If I learn more tomorrow, will I regret this decision?" as a final filter before acting.

  7. 7

    An elder who admits fault Ekāparādhaṃ khama putta mayhaṃ

    On learning the truth, the king doesn't look for reasons to defend his order. He says that if he has been a fool led by others, his son should forgive him this one fault.

    Applying it in daily life

    When you've judged wrongly, apologise to the person directly affected and say how you'll do things differently, without waiting to be asked.

Try it in daily life

Anyone with power to judge others — parents, teachers, managers, group admins — can become the king in this story: hearing one side told sympathetically, then punishing at once before hearing the other.

A principle to use right away: the stronger the emotion, the longer you should wait before deciding, and always let the accused speak. The prince's question, "What have I done wrong?", is a right everyone should have.

The jātaka also shows an elder willing to apologise on learning he was wrong, which is a better remedy than finding reasons to defend the original decision.

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