When Jīvaka had grown up, he was sitting one day conversing with Abhaya. Abhaya said that it was incumbent on them to learn some craft, whereby they might [[93]]gain their bread later on. For even before the birth of Ajātaśatru it had been predicted that the sovereign power would appertain to him. When the two had considered this matter, a white-clad coachmaker, surrounded by a number of men clad in white, entered the king’s palace. When Prince Abhaya saw him, he asked the king’s people who that man was. They replied that he was a coachmaker.
“How much does he earn?”
“He earns his living.”
Thereupon he thought that he too, after he had asked the king, would learn coachmaking. So he went to the king and told him that he wished to learn coachmaking. The king asked whether he desired to earn his bread in that way.
“Father, kings’ sons are in the habit of learning all arts.”
“In that case, O son, learn coachmaking.”
So he began to study coachmaking.
Jīvaka also, having seen a white-clad physician, surrounded by several men clad in white, entering the king’s palace, asked who that was.
“He is a physician,” was the reply.