141. The Story of an Iguana [Godha-Jātaka]

When the Buddha was living in the Bamboo Grove, he disclosed this Jātaka story because of a certain disobedient monk. The present story for the reason behind this story was explained in detail in the Mahilāmukha-Jātaka [No. 26].

At one time, King Brahmadatta was ruling in Benares. At that time, the Enlightenment Being was born as an iguana with a following of thousands of iguanas. They lived in a big termite hill.

The Enlightenment Being had a son who was friendly with a chameleon. On seeing this, many iguanas complained about it to the Bodhisatta. The Bodhisatta summoned his son, and warned him not to be friendly with the chameleon. Because of such a friendship, there would be a great disaster for the community of iguanas. Even though he was so warned, the young iguana did not listen to him. He continued to play with the chameleon, and they continued to embrace each other. In the course of time, the iguana became large and fat. Bearing such a heavy body, when the iguana embraced the chameleon the big-bodied iguana sometimes hurt the chameleon, who had a small body. The small chameleon perceived the play of the iguana to be as if a big rock were falling over his body. And he became angry.

The king of the iguanas, in doubt about his son’s continued relationship with the chameleon, thought that one day calamity might befall upon the community of iguanas. He therefore made a secret tunnel so as to be able to flee away.

In the meantime, there came a certain unexpected rain. Swarms of flying termites came out from the termite hill. On a certain iguana hunter’s seeing this, he thought, “Now is a good time to hunt, because iguanas come out to eat flying termites.” So thinking, he entered the forest. While he was wandering in the forest, the chameleon saw him and enquired as to why he was wandering in the forest. The hunter said, “I am searching for iguanas.” As the chameleon was angry with his friend, the iguana, he said, “Do not be bothered by searching for iguanas. I can show you a place where there are plenty. What you need is some hay and fire.” Hearing this, the hunter brought some hay and fire. When he did this, the chameleon said, showing him the termite hill hole, “Put hay inside it and set it on fire. When the smoke goes in, the iguanas will come out. When they come out, hit them with your club or chase after them with your dogs. You can easily kill as many as you want.” The hunter did this.

The Enlightenment Being thought, “This type of a calamity came upon my relatives because of the evil chameleon.”

The Enlightenment Being fled away through the secret tunnel.

“The chameleon at that time was Devadatta. The disobedient little iguana was this monk today who is disobedient. And I who have now obtained supreme Buddhahood was at that time the king of the iguanas.” Saying so, the Buddha ended this Jātaka story of an iguana.

The moral: “Choose your friends wisely.”

141. The Story of an Iguana [Godha-Jātaka]

Link: https://hhdorjechangbuddhaiiiinfo.com/2025/11/13/141-the-story-of-an-iguana-godha-jataka/

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