The Tham Vessantara-jAtaka - Khamkoo

the subject of our discussion. The prediction tells that as the VJ is the best of all, it will
fade away first. 37
This prediction concerning the disappearance of the VJ deeply impressed the
extremely religious heart of Phra Chao Song Tham, King of Ayudhya (1611-28). As a
result of this he resolved to provide for the protection and keeping of this birth story for
posterity. It is said that prior to being a king, he was Phra Phimontham (alias Phra Srī
Sin of Wat Rakhang). He assisted the high priest or the Sangkharāt (SaNgharāja), ruling
over the northern district of monks. He was well versed in religious teachings. Even
after becoming king, he devoted himself to the promotions of the religion and upholding
the Buddhist faith. After handing over the kingship to his nephew (the second king) in
charge of the State, he devoted his life totally to attaining Nibbana. He is said to have
built three halls, in which he taught a hundred monks daily, on the royal esplanade
inside the palace walls. They were called Phra Thinang Chom Thong halls surmounted
by gilt tapering roofs.
It was in the reign of King Song Tham that the famous footprint called Phra Bat
was unearthed on the Suvanna Banphot Mountain. Afraid of losing the VJ, as in the
prediction, he devoted his time to composing a poem based on the subject of this Jātaka
and it is known as Mahā Chāt. He proposed to hand this poem down to the next
generations in the hope of preventing or lessening the effect of the prophecy. The poem
is said to have been completed in 1627. From the literary point of view, this poem is one
of the best works ever produced in the Siamese language and is still looked upon as a
37
Gerini, The Thet Mahā Chāt Ceremony, p. 99.
97