Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born a Brahmin, somewhat of a crooked little dwarf. When he was grown up he studied under a teacher of world wide fame at Takkasila. There he learnt the Three Vedas and the Eighteen Branches of knowledge, and completed his education. And he became known as the sage Little Bowman.

Leaving Takkasila, he came to the Andhra in search of practical experience. Considering his appearance, he thought to himself, “If I make my appearance before any king, he’s sure to ask what a dwarf like me is good for; why should I not use a tall broad fellow as my stalking horse and earn my living in the shadow of his more imposing personality?” So he went to the weavers’ quarters, and there he met a huge weaver named Bhimasena. He saluted him and said to him, “Now having told that you can’t get a living any other way, I will suggest a plan to live properouly. The whole continent can show no such archer as I am; but kings would scorn me because I am a dwarf. And with your strong physique, you can get a job in the army. Meantime I shall be behind you to perform the duties that are laid upon you, and so shall earn my living in your shadow. In this manner we shall both of us thrive and prosper. Only do as I tell you.” Bhimasena accepted the offer.

Accordingly, the Bodhisatta took the weaver with him to Benares, acting as his servant. When they entered the city he sent word of his coming to the king. Being summoned into the royal presence, the pair entered together and bowing stood before the king. “What brings you here? Said the king.

Bhimasena said,”I am a mighty archer. There is no archer like me in the whole continent and he is my servant.” “What pay would you want to enter my service?” “A thousand pieces a fortnight, sir.”

The King said,”Very well, enter my service.”

So Bhimasena entered the king’s service; but it was the Bodhisatta who did all his work for him. Now in those days there was a tiger in a forest in Kasi which roamed on the high road and had eaten many victims. When this was reported to the king, he sent for Bhimasena and asked whether he could catch the tiger.

“How could I call myself an archer, sir, if I couldn’t catch a tiger?” The king gave him largesse and sent him on the errand. And he went home and told the news to the Bodhisatta. “All right,” said the Bodhisatta; “This time I am not coming with you; but I’ll tell you a little plan. Don’t be rash and approach the tiger’s lair alone. What you will do is to muster a strong band of soldiers to march to the spot with a thousand or two thousand bows; when you know that the tiger is aroused, you bolt into the thicket and lie down flat on your face. The soldiers will beat the tiger to death; then you bite off a creeper with your teeth, and draw near to the dead tiger, trailing the creeper in your hand. At the sight of the dead body of the tiger, you will burst out with ‘Who has killed the tiger? I meant to lead it by a creeper, like an ox, to the king, and with this intent had just stepped into the thicket to get a creeper. I must know who killed the tiger before I could get back with my creeper. Then the soldiers will by very frightened and bribe you heavily not to report them to the king; you will be credited with slaying the tiger; and the king too will give you lots of money.”

Bhimasena said,”Very good.” He went and killed the tiger just as the Bodhisatta had told him. Having thus made the road safe for travelers, he came back with a large following to Benares, and said to the king, “I have killed the tiger, sir; the forest is safe for travelers now.” Well pleased, the king loaded him with gifts.

Another day, a buffalo was giving trouble to travellers and the king sent Bhimasena to kill it. Following the Bodhisatta’s directions, he killed the buffalo in the same way as tiger, and returned to the king, who once more gave him lots of money. He was a great lord now. Intoxicated by his new honors, he treated the Bodhisatta with contempt, and scorned to follow his advice, saying, “I can get on without you. Do you think there’s no man but yourself?” This and many other harsh things did he say to the Bodhisatta.

Now, a few days later, a hostile king marched upon Benares encicled the fort. Sending a message to the king summoning him either to surrender his kingdom or to fight. And the king of Benares ordered Bhimasena to go and fight him. So Bhimasena duly armoured sat on the war elephant and went to the battle field. And the Bodhisatta, who was seriously alarmed that Bhimasena might get killed, armed himself and sat modestly behind Bhimasena. Surrounded by a host, the elephant passed out of the gates of the city and arrived in the forefront of the battle. At the first notes of the martial drum Bhimasena fell a quaking with fear. “If you fall off now, you’ll get killed,” said the Bodhisatta, and accordingly fastened a cord round him, which he held tight, to prevent him from falling off the elephant. But the sight of the battle field kindled fear of death; so he fouled the elephant’s back. The Bodhisatta said, “Ah! the present does not tally with the past. Then you affected the warrior; now your prowess is confined to befouling the elephant you ride on.”

Then the Bodhisatta said, “Don’t you be afraid, my friend. Am not I here to protect you?” Then he made Bhimasena get off the elephant and sent him home. The Bodhisatta, raising his battle cry as he dashed into the fight. Breaking through the king’s camp, he captured the king and took him alive to Benares. In great joy at his prowess, King of Benares loaded him with honours, and from that day onwards, all India was loud with the fame of the Sage Little Bowman. To Bhimasena he gave largesse, and sent him back to his own home; while he himself excelled in charity and all good works, and at his death passed away to fare according to his deserts.