In the year 1977 His Majesty the King once listened to a sermon by the Reverend Somdej Pra Mahaviravongs (Vin Dhammasaro) of Wat Rajpatikaram about King Mahajanaka'svisit to the Royal Park in the city of Mithila. The story had it that, at the entry of the park, there were standing two mango trees, one bearing fruit and the other barren. The king tasted the delicious mango fruit then entered the park. When he returned, he saw that the mango tree with the tasty fruits had been vandalized and felled; as for the other tree, it was still proudly standing. The story demonstrated that good things of good quality will be the target of greed and will stand in danger.

His Majesty the King was interested, so he sought for the story of Mahajanaka in the Holy Tripitaka (Suttantapitaka Khuddakanikaya Jataka vol ume four, part two) and translated it into the English language, straight from the Thai text, from the beginning of the story, with some minor modiflcations for the sake of easier understanding of the text.

King Mahajanaka practised ultimate perseverance without the desire for reward which resulted in his gaining a throne and bringing prosperity and wealth to the city of Mithila by the strength of his qualities.

Upon arriving at the text concerning the mango trees, His Majesty the King was of the opinion that King Mahajanaka's desire to leave the city on a quest for supreme tranquility was not yet opportune nor timely because Mithila's prosperity had not yet reached an appropriate peak, because everyone "from the Viceroy down to the elephant mahouts and the horse handlers, and up from the horse handlers to the Viceroy. and especially the courtiers all live in the state of ignorance. They lack wisdom as well as knowledge in technology; they do not see the essence of what is beneficial, even for their own good.

Therefore, an institution of universal learning must be established.”Moreover, King Mahajanaka also had to advance his thoughts on how to revivethe mangotree with nine modern methods.

For these reasons, His Majesty the King modined the orginal story in the Mahajanaka. Jataka to suit contemporary society, with the view that King Mahajanaka wouId have been able to achieve supreme tranquility more readily if he had completely fulfilled his worldly duties first.

The pictures which depictthestoryarethe work of Thai artists who have given their utmost in order that this story should be magnincently and completely portrayed.

Thetranslation was completed in 1988 and His Majesty the King signifed his desire to publish this book on the auspidous occasion of the Golden Jubilee of hisrdgn, so that this story might become an object of constructive contemplation for all well-meaning people.

May all readers be blessed with pure perseverance, sharp wisdom and complete physical health.

Chitralada Villa 9 June 1996