Jīvaka

Also known as: Jīvaka Kumārabhaṇḍa · Family: Rājagṛha · Role: physician; son of King Bimbisāra and the rich merchant’s wife · First appears: Chapter VI

In Chapter VI at Rājagṛha, Jīvaka was born to the rich merchant’s wife after she conceived by King Bimbisāra. Prince Abhaya brought him up, and he received the name Jīvaka Kumārabhaṇḍa because the king had asked whether he was alive and Abhaya had looked after his maintenance.

In time, Jīvaka went to Takshaśilā to study healing with Ātreya, who took him along on his travels and taught him the skull-opening operation. After completing his training, Jīvaka defeated the Pāṇḍavas of the borderland and returned with hostages and tribute, which he handed over to the king. At Rājagṛha, he was installed as king of the physicians; he later cured Prince Ajātaśatru’s tumour by provoking his anger, and was installed as king of the physicians for a third time.

Relationship record

Life events

• The merchant’s wife gave birth to a son by King Bimbisāra.(Chapter VI · 📍 Rājagṛha)
  • With: The rich merchant of Rājagṛha’s unnamed wife (Chapter 006)
  • “When nine months had elapsed, the merchant’s wife gave birth to a fine, good-looking boy.”
• Prince Abhaya brought up the boy, who was named Jīvaka Kumārabhaṇḍa.(Chapter VI · 📍 Rājagṛha)
  • With: Prince Abhaya
  • “The prince brought him up, and as the king had asked if he was alive, and as Prince Abhaya had looked after his maintenance, the boy received the name of Jīvaka Kumārabhaṇḍa.”
• Jīvaka went to Takshaśilā to study healing with Ātreya.(Chapter VI · 📍 Takshaśilā)
  • With: Ātreya
  • “In the course of time Jīvaka arrived at Takshaśilā, and Pushkarasārin, after reading the letter, handed him over to Ātreya, to whom he gave orders to instruct in the healing art the prince who had come there on his account.”
• Jīvaka learned the skull-opening operation from Ātreya and completed his medical training.(Chapter VI · 📍 Takshaśilā)
  • With: Ātreya
  • “Jīvaka bathed, and Ātreya showed him after what fashion the skull ought to be opened.”
• Jīvaka defeated the Pāṇḍavas and returned with hostages and tribute.(Chapter VI)
  • “As soon as a fourfold army had been equipped, he set out, discomfited the Pāṇḍavas of the borderland, took hostages and tribute from them, and then, having returned safely, handed over to the king what he had taken.”
• Jīvaka was installed as king of the physicians.(Chapter VI · 📍 Rājagṛha)
  • “So Jīvaka was seated upon an elephant, and with great pomp was installed king of the physicians.”
• Jīvaka cured Ajātaśatru’s tumour by provoking his anger.(Chapter VI)
  • With: Prince Ajātaśatru
  • “As he thus broke out in anger, his tumour gave way, and discharged upwards and downwards, its contents coming to light mixed with blood from the wound.”
• Jīvaka was installed king of the physicians for a third time.(Chapter VI)
  • “The ministers set him upon an elephant and with great pomp installed him for the third time as king of the physicians.”

Chapter VI

• parent: King Bimbisāra “The king entered her house and took his pleasure therein; and as all things were propitious, she became with child.”
• parent: The rich merchant of Rājagṛha’s unnamed wife (Chapter 006) “When nine months had elapsed, the merchant’s wife gave birth to a fine, good-looking boy.”
• mentor: Ātreya “Ātreya became well pleased with Jīvaka, and took him along with him wherever he went.”
• guardian: Prince Abhaya “The prince brought him up, and as the king had asked if he was alive, and as Prince Abhaya had looked after his maintenance, the boy received the name of Jīvaka Kumārabhaṇḍa.”

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Extracted from the original text of Tibetan Tales, Derived from Indian Sources. Made with Rho MD.