Trade and Trade Routes in Ancient India c7.s2.2

c7.s2.2

In one *Jātaka*⁶⁰ the story of the Bodhisattva who acted as master of the caravan is given. Once when he was making preparations to start on a journey another foolish merchant also decided to start his caravan at the same time. The Bodhisattva thought that if a thousand carts started simultaneously then there was every possibility of the roads being ruined, water would become scarce, and there would be no food and grass for bullocks. Therefore, he decided to allow the second caravan to precede him. That foolish leader of the caravan thought, “If I proceed first then I will be in an advantageous position. The road will be undisturbed, the oxen will be able to get fresh grass and my men will be able to get fresh vegetables. We will be assured of good water supply and I will be able to barter my goods on good terms.” The Bodhisattva, however, thought of the advantages accruing to his caravan starting later on, “The first party will make the road level, his oxen will graze the old grass, and my oxen then will be able to get fresh grass, after the old vegetables are picked up my men will get fresh vegetables, and the first caravan unable to get fresh water will have to dig new wells which will provide us with fresh water. To fix the prices of the goods is a difficult matter and if I follow the first caravan then I will be able to sell my goods at the prices already fixed by the first party."