# The Demon with the Matted Hair explained — Indian Fairy Tales

> Chapter companion for Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs.

## What happens

The Bodhisatta, born as Prince Five Weapons, ventures into a forest inhabited by a fearsome demon. Despite being caught by the demon, he remains fearless and uses his inner wisdom to subdue the demon, converting him to virtue. The story illustrates the power of courage and righteousness over evil.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cunning and Wisdom

The Bodhisatta uses his inner wisdom (the 'thunderbolt' of knowledge) to outwit and subdue the demon.

### Transformation and Metamorphosis

The demon transforms from a cruel, bloodthirsty creature to a virtuous being after being admonished by the Bodhisatta.

### Justice and Karma

The demon's past wickedness led to his demonic birth, and the Bodhisatta warns him of the karmic consequences of his actions.

## Character check-ins

### Prince Five Weapons

The Bodhisatta who fearlessly confronts the demon and converts him to virtue.

### The Demon with the Matted Hair

The fearsome demon who is subdued and converted by the Bodhisatta.

### Brahmadatta

King of Benares and father of the Bodhisatta.

### Buddha

The Teacher who tells the story and identifies himself as the Bodhisatta.

## Key lines

> In one life a man can die but once. Besides, in my belly is a thunderbolt; if you eat me, you will never be able to digest it; this will tear your inwards into little bits, and kill you: so we shall both perish.

A person only dies once, and I have a thunderbolt inside me that will destroy you if you eat me, so we would both die.

_The Bodhisatta uses a clever bluff to intimidate the demon._

> Taking the life of living creatures causes birth, as an animal, in the world of Petas, or in the body of an Asura, or, if one is reborn as a man, it makes his life short.

Killing leads to rebirth in lower realms or a short human life.

_The Bodhisatta explains the karmic consequences of violence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-demon-with-the-matted-hair
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters