Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta came to life again and was appointed as a Minister. Another Minister, a friend of his, was an old man but had a young wife. She gave birth to a son. The old Minister said to himself, “as soon as I am dead, this girl, being so young will marry again and spend all my money, instead of handing it over to my son. Wouldn’t it be my best course to bury my money safely in the ground?”

So, in the company of a slave named Nanda, he went to the forest and buried his riches at a spot and said to him, “Nanda, reveal this treasure to my son after I am dead, and don’t let the wood be sold.”

After giving this injunction to his slave, the old man died. In due course the son grew up, and his mother said to him, “My son, your father, in the company of Nanda, buried his money. Get it back and look after the property of the family.”

So one day he said to Nanda, “Nanda, is there any treasure which my father buried?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Where is it buried?”

“In the forest, my lord.”

“Well, then, let us go there.”

And he took a spade and a basket, and going to the spot, said to Nanda, “Well, Nanda, where’s the money?” But by the time Nanda had got up to the treasure and was standing right over it, he was so puffed up by the money that he abused his master, saying, “You servant of a slavewench’s son! How should you have any money here?”

The young gentleman, pretending not to have heard this insolence, simply returned home with him. Two or three days later, he returned to the place; but again Nanda abused him, as before. Without any abusive rejoinder, the young gentle man came back. He thought to himself, “At starting, this slave always means to revel where the money is; but no sooner does he get there, than he starts abusing me. I do not see the reason of this; If I ask my father’s old friend, the Minister, he may know the reason.” So he went to the Bodhisatta, and laying the whole story before him and asked what was the real reason of such behaviour.

The Bodhisatta said, “The spot at which Nanda stands to abuse you is the place where your father’s money is buried. Therefore, as soon as he starts abusing you again, pull him from that spot and dig it. From that spot take your family treasure, and make the slave carry it home for you.”

And he continued:-

Methinks the gold and jewels buried lie

Where Nanda, low born slave, so loudly bawls!

After paying due respects to the Bodhisatta, the young gentleman went home. Taking Nanda he went to the spot where the money was buried. Faithfully following the advice he had received, he brought the money and looked after the family property. He remained steadfast in the Bodhisatta’s counsels, and after a life spent in charity and other good works he passed away to fare according to his deserts.