King Brahmadatta

Also known as: Brahmadatta · Family: Vārāṇasī · Role: king · First appears: Chapter XIV

In Chapter XIV, in long-past days at Vārāṇasī, Brahmavatī gave birth to Abja, the longed-for son of King Brahmadatta. He ordered the executioners to bury Abja in a hole in the forest. When Abja returned, revealed that he could speak and walk, and asked to renounce kingship because of memories of former-life torments, Brahmadatta embraced him with tearful eyes and allowed him to go to the forest with his young companions.

In Chapter XX, Brahmadatta rewarded The Chaṇḍāla versed in spells (Chapter 020) with presents for bringing him out-of-season fruits and flowers. After The Brahman youth seeking magic (Chapter 020) brought such gifts to the king’s purohita, who passed them to Brahmadatta, the purohita transferred the Chaṇḍāla’s employment to the youth.

In Chapter XXVI, while at the park with The king’s wife whose ornaments were stolen (Chapter 026), Brahmadatta slept as she searched for her missing ornaments. The hunter (Chapter 026) was imprisoned after the ornaments were restored, but later healed Brahmadatta when a snake bit him. The king released the hunter and gave him gifts and good things.

Chapter XXXIX recounts Brahmadatta’s accession to the throne in Vārāṇasī. After Gaṇḍa and Upagaṇḍa were blamed for damaging the horse-gear, he gave up the dogs; after The dog from another country urged them to appeal, The dogs of the land pleaded for the innocent. When Gaṇḍa and Upagaṇḍa were identified, Brahmadatta had them killed and freed The other dogs from fear.