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Overview
In Jātaka457, Dhamma, translated as Right, and Adhamma, translated as Wrong, appear as divine beings travelling in celestial chariots. Dhamma moves through the air with a retinue and urges people to avoid killing and other wrong actions, honour their parents and practise right conduct. Adhamma travels in the opposite direction and encourages the contrary. Their retinues separate when the two chariots meet, but the leaders dispute who should yield the way.
Adhamma demands a contest of strength. Dhamma finally offers to bear the insults and give way; at that moment Adhamma falls headfirst from his chariot, the earth opens beneath him and he is reborn in the lowest hell. Dhamma continues without the proposed battle. The opening frame concerns Devadatta’s destruction, and the final identification makes Devadatta Adhamma and the Buddha Dhamma. These are the narrative’s embodied moral opponents; their translated names are not presented here as the exclusive meanings of the broader religious word dhamma.
Origins & earliest records
Pāli Jātaka literary tradition; W. H. D. Rouse translator, E. B. Cowell general editor.
Records & interpretation
Complete English narrative, frame, ending and attached notes read.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
The Jātaka, Volume 4
457, Dhamma-Jātaka, pp.64–66; complete frame, ending and two footnotes
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
Primary records and illustrations
The Jātaka, Volume 4
Rouse 1901; Cowell editor. 457, Dhamma-Jātaka, pp.64–66; complete frame, ending and two footnotes
Cache data/cache/asia-continuation/jataka4-021.html/.txt. Distinct actors and editorial qualifications preserved.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Historical primary-text translationComplete Jātaka English account and notesResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.