Reading Notes: PDE Jataka, The Horse That Held Out to the End- Part B

Seven Headed Flying Horse (image source from Wikipedia)

In this life, the Buddha came to life in the form of a horse that was a thoroughbred small horse. The horse was the King's Destrier who was surrounded by pomp and state. He was well fed with exquisite three-year-old rice that was served in a gold dish worth thousand pieces of money. The ground in his stalls were perfumed with four odors. His stall also have crimson curtains while a canopy studded with golden stars. He had fragrant flowers and a lamp with scented oil.

All the seven kings envied the kingdom of Benares. They told the king of Benares to give up his kingdom or to battle them. 

The king of Benares sent for the Knight to fight the seven kings. The Knight responded, "Give me but your noble Destrier, and then I could fight not only seven kings but all the Kings in India." He provided the Knight with his horse and went into battle.

As they went into battle, they abducted six kings and brought them back as prisoners. The horse was wounded and bleeding which caused him so much pain. The knight made the horse lay down but he refused. Destrier knew that no horse will help catch the seventh king and he would lose. He was so close to accomplishing on capturing the seventh king that he did not give up. 

The horse got up and captured the seventh king. The horse went back to the King's gate and saw the King again. He gave the king orders to not slay the seven kings. Do honor for them both, exercise charity, and rule the kingdom in righteousness and justice. As the took off the armour of the horse, he passed away. 

The king buried the horse with respect and great honors. He send the kings to their homes after giving an other to never war upon them again. 

Marie L. Shedlock, The Horse That Held Out to the End, Link