The Tham Vessantara-jAtaka - Khamkoo

death. But Prince Chandakumāra, leaving no hostility towards the culprit, intervenes
and obtains his release.
In the eighth birth, Nemi-jAtaka, the Bodhisatta is a king who gives away all he
had in alms and then, leaving the throne, goes to the forest where he lived as a hermit.
Although he has nothing left in his hands to be given away, he holds a firm
determination to continue practising almsgiving. Fearing that he would mutilate himself
and give in alms his very limbs, the Deva deity brings him a handful of gold pieces for
distribution to those who need his help.
In the ninth birth, VidhUra-jAtaka, the Bodhisatta is born as Vidhūrapandita. He
is popular and wise and acts as a teacher and adviser to the king. The fame of his
wisdom and learning becomes so widespread that all the kings of the earth approach
him for moral advice. Then the queen of Nāgas, desiring to possess Vidhūra’s heart,
sends out an official on earth with express commands to gain it. The queen’s mission
win the Vidhūra’s king by gambling at dice. Vidhūrapandita is put to death to get his
real heart but it is not an easy task. As a matter of fact, he remains unhurt after all the
murderous attacks are made upon him. Instead of being angry with his would-be killer,
he teaches him morality. In this way he is sent back with the burden of a failure upon
his ethics, but less bad Kamma.
In all the above mentioned characters the Bodhisatta performed highly
meritorious deeds and devoted himself to the perfect exercise of virtue, thereby
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