|
Story of Great Ape
Once, the Bodhisatta was born as an ape and lived alone like an ascetic in a Himalayan forest. Yet, unlike other monkeys he was kind and virtuous; and survived on leaves and fruits of the forest trees.
The great ape advises the man to safeguard him before going to sleep.
The man holding a rock to kill the benefactor ape
One day, a shepherd in search of his stray cattle lost his way and reached that forest. Exhausted with hunger, thirst, heat and toil he sat on the foot of a tree. Soon, he noticed a tinduka tree (diosperos embryopteris) laden with fruits. The hungry shepherd then in no time climbed the tree. But he overlooked the roots of the tree, which had grown out of a sloping cliff over a water-fall. When he reached a branch laden with ripetindukas to pluck them, the branch could not sustain his weight and broke off and he fell down into a pit. Luckily, his bones were not broken. Yet, it was impossible for him to find an exit.
As a matter of chance, the great ape saw the man in his distress. Feeling pity for him he rescued him by putting great exertions. To ease himself the exhausted monkey wanted to have some rest. So, he asked the man to guard him before he could take a nap. But the ungrateful man decided to kill the innocuous monkey in his sleep to obtain his meat for his survival in the lost forest. So he picked up a large piece of stone and dropped it on the head of the sleeping monkey. The stone somehow slipped and missed the target. Nonetheless, it hurt the monkey. When the ape opened his eyes in agony and read the guilt written in the face of the man, he uttered:
Brought back from the mouth of Death
When reaching the other world.
Saved from one precipice
Thou hast now fallen on the worse.
Fie upon ignorance that spurs one to such vice and cruelty
And leads one to miseries
As it is the infatuation
Which deludes one to fall on the false hope of prosperity.
The pain of this wound does not aggrieve me much
As the thought
That on account of me
You have plunged into such evil
From where I or else could ever rescue thee!
Nonetheless, the compassionate monkey escorted him to the fringe of the forest so that he could go back to his own fellow beings.
By and by, the man’s evil manifested in leprosy. His skin thawed and he was expelled from the society. Thus, excommunicated from the world of his own fellow beings he started living in a dense forest, where no man dared to tread.
One day, the king of Varanasi detected him on his hunting expedition in the forest and mistook him to be a ghost, because his body had deformed. When he came closer he discovered to his shock that the ghost-looking-being was none other than a man. Further, he was shocked when he heard the pathetic story of that man; who was still remorseful for his ungratefulness to the great ape. His miseries had no bound!!
Truly, he repented. But then it was too late. Indeed, no one can escape the fruit of his or her own karma!
Vevajatiyakapi Jataka Jataka Pali No. 516; Jataka Mala No.24
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
The mighty fish, Bharhut
Once in the Jetavana, near Savatthi there was a pond where grew myriad climbing plants. And there lived a mighty fish, virtuous, pious and herbivorous. Now there was a drought in the land. Crops withered; water dried and the fishes and tortoises were buried under the mud. All the water creatures became vulnerable and easy prey for the birds and beasts. Seeing the lot of his fellow creatures, who were being devoured by crows and others, his heart filled with compassion. So, one day, parting asunder the black mud he came to the surface fearlessly and opening his ruby-eyes he made a solemn act (Sacchakiriya) of “Perfection of Goodness” - which was supposedly efficacious. He called upon the lord of heaven – Pajjuna to shower and relieve his friends if he was virtuous. Pajjuna soon responded to his call and obeyed him like his disciple by causing heavy rains to fall. This saved and relieved all his companions.
Matsya Jataka Jataka Pali No. 76; cf. Chariya-Pitaka (PTS ed.) p.99..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
013 - Story of the Monkey King
|
|
The monkeys in the king’s palace
Once in a royal orchard of a king there lived many monkeys. One day, when the chief priest was passing through the royal park after having taken his bath, a naughty monkey sitting on the arch of the gateway, pooed on his head. Baffled the priest looked all over; and when turned his eyes upward with the gaping mouth the monkey then voided in his mouth.
Infuriated, the priest swore vengeance on all the monkeys. And many monkeys in turn mimicked him in reply. But the king of the monkeys was alarmed. He took the swearings of the chaplain rather seriously. So, he called all his followers and counselled them to leave the royal park at once. Many monkeys followed him but for one haughty monkey and his five hundred followers.
By and by, one day, a female slave of the royal palace was drying some rice in the sun. A sheep then slipped into the place to eat the rice. Angry at the sheep, the slave girl hurled a burning stick on the sheep, which burnt its fur. It then ran to the elephants’ stall and the stall too, caught fire and inflicted burnt injuries on several royal elephants.
Now, looking for the most efficacious remedial measure the king summoned the chaplain and sought his advice. The chaplain, who was the sworn enemy of the monkeys tried to encash upon the opportunity for taking revenge against the monkeys. He, therefore, advised the king that the application of the monkey-fats would be the best remedial measure on any burnt-injury on an elephant. The king then ordered the royal archers to kill all the monkeys living in the park and bring their fats.
Thus, all those monkeys, who had ignored the advice of the wise monkey perished.
See Kapi Jataka, Jataka Pali No.404.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
The lion in the forest
Once there lived a mighty lion in a cave of the Himalayas. One day, after killing and eating a buffalo, when he was on his way back to his cave, he found a jackal prostrating before him. The jackal, in fact, wanted to enjoy the left overs of the lion.
He asked him, “why do you lie like this, Jackal”.
The jackal said, “Sir! I would like to be your servant”. The lion accepted his proposal and treated him affectionately.
Since that day the lion offered him the left-overs of the animals, who he killed. Being fed on those the emaciated jackal soon bulged; and so did his pride. Further, he fostered the false idea of having equal power like that of the lion. So, one day, he said to the lion, “O lion! so far I am fed on your left-overs; but today, I shall offer you my left over as I shall kill and eat an elephant”.
The lion advised him to refrain from any such act, as he did not belong to the species of lion-like animal to kill a strong elephant.
The haughty and foolish jackal did not listen to the lion. Feigning like a lion he moved out of the cave and uttered the cry of a jackal thrice, as if it was the cry of a mighty lion. He then looked for an elephant; and saw one at the base of the mountain. He jumped at the large animal from the top of the mountain. But instead of falling on elephant’s back he fell on his feet. The elephant without paying much notice to the existence of the jackal lifted his fore-leg and placed it on his head and mashed his skull. Thus the foolish jackal was killed instantly.
The lion is walking away after eating his full and leaving the carcass for the jackal
The lion witnessed the entire show from the top of the precipice and said,
A reckless and haughty being
Is thus bound to meet his doom
[Jackal is identified with Devadatta; and the lion with the Bodhisatta].
See Virochana Jataka Jataka Pali No. 143.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once a wealthy Brahmin of Varanasi renounced the life of a house-holder and led the life of an ascetic and retired in a forest in the Himalayas. There, he found a baby elephant left alone in the forest. He brought it to his hermitage and took care of him. Soon, he developed attachment for the baby elephant and called him Somadatta out of affection. He also reared him with tender care and fed him fruits and food.
One day, when the ascetic was away the baby elephant ate too much and died. Upon his return the ascetic found him dead. He was overwhelmed with sorrow; and stopped all his activities.
At that time, the Bodhisatta was born as Sakka. Pious and compassionate, he notice the sorrow of the ascetic from heaven and thought of helping him. So, he descended and taught him not to grieve as his grief was due to attachment; as all grief is due to attachment. Further, he reminded him of his vow to renounce the worldly life; and his family. So, he asked him what merit would he partake by leading the life of an ascetic.
Sakka’s teaching reopened his eyes and made him realise his infatuation for the dead animal. The acknowledgement of the infatuation helped him overcome his grief.
(This story was related with reference to a monk, who had ordained a novice; and was aggrieved upon his death. Somadatta is identified with the novice; and the monk with the ascetic).
See Somadatta Jataka Pali No.410.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 016 - The Story of the Crows |
Once, a pair of crows enjoyed the food to their fill and drank liquor. Soon, they got drunk and started playing and swimming on the surf. Thence, came a mighty wave and swept away the hen crow, who was then gobbled up by a fish.
With the loss of his mate the male crow burst into tears. He bewailed. Soon hundreds of crows responded to his cry and assembled there. Upon learning the sad story, the assembled crows condoled and expressed their grief.
Suddenly, one crow remarked, “lo, as we are mightier than the sea, why not we should empty out the sea and save the hen-crow”.
Soon, they started emptying out the sea-water with their beaks; and started praising the female crow by saying, “How pretty was she! How sweet was her voice! How elegant was her look … ! How dared the sea swept her away? We should teach a lesson to the sea.” Thus, they continued with their nonsense gossip. The sea-spirit, however, did not enjoy the load of their waffles. So, he sent forth a mighty wave, which made all the crows fly away.
See Samudda–Kaka-Jataka Jataka Pali No.146
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 017 - The Monkey Brothers |
Once, the Bodhisatta was born in the Himalayan region as a monkey and was called Nandaka. His younger brother was called Chullanandaka. They headed a band of eighty-four thousand monkeys. They also had a blind old mother to look after.
Once, enjoying the forest fruits they went far away from their abode. So they kept sending food to their mother through their friends, who, however, seldom delivered them to her. Tormented with hunger the mother virtually starved and became emaciated and sickly. Upon return, the two monkeys were shocked to see their mother so sickly. Further, when they learnt that the fruits, which they had sent had seldom reached her, they left all their companions and retired on a banyan tree with their mother.
One day, a wicked brahmin, who was a drop out of the famous Taxila school, and had deserted the most reputed teacher Parasariya of his time to take to the profession of hunting and killing, entered the forest. Seeing the hunter approaching, the two monkeys quickly hid behind the leaves. But the mother monkey was exposed. So, to kill her when he lifted his bow, Nandaka, the elder brother, jumped before him and requested him to spare the life of the mother and kill him. The hunter agreed and killed him.
|
But the hunter did not keep his promise and again aimed at the mother monkey. This time Chullanandiya, the younger brother jumped before the hunter and prayed him to spare the life of his mother and kill him in her place. The hunter again agreed to do accordingly. So, he killed the younger brother. But then he did not spare the mother monkey and broke his promise again. He took out the third arrow and shot the blind old monkey, and picked up all the three dead bodies and happily carried them home. All through, on his way he mused to please his family by his valour for having killed three monkeys in one day.
When he was about to reach home, he heard the news that his house was hit by a thunderbolt and all his family members had perished there. The loss of his family made him delirious and lunatic. He in frenzy threw out his garments and ran towards his house with his outstretched hands to hold his children and wife. When he reached the house and looked for his family members in the debris, the burnt bamboos of the house crumbled and fell on his head. It is said that, as is witnessed by the people, he was lost in the smoke and a fire sprang from the hell with the yawning of the earth and swallowed him. The eye-witnesses, however, also heard the dying man recalling the lessons of his good old Taxila guru when he had made the following utterances:
Now I remember the lessons of my teacher,
And now I understand what he meant
When he taught me to be careful;
And do nothing to repent.
[Nandiya is identified with Bodhisatta; Parasariya with Sariputta; mother-monkey with Gotami; Chullanandiya with Ananda; and Devadatta with the hunter.]
See Chullanandiya Jataka Jataka Pali No.222.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 018 - The Story of Nigrodha Deer |
|
deer and the king's archers, the Thai version
Once the Bodhisattva was born as a golden deer in a forest of Varanasi. His eyes were like round gems; horns like silver; and he was bigger in size than other deer. He headed a band of five hundred deer and was called Nigrodharaja. In the same forest there lived another golden deer Sakha, who, too, headed a band of five hundred deer.
As the king of Varanasi was very fond of the deer meet, he asked his men to bring him at least one deer every day. His men, one day, decided to catch all the deer of the forest and bring them to the royal garden to please the king. So, they besieged the forest from all directions by keeping the garden-path clear and approached the centre with noise and drum-beating. No wonder all the deer were forced to enter the royal park and were caged inside. When the king saw the two golden deer, too, in his park he was very pleased. Further, charmed by their elegance he granted them immunity from being killed. But no other deer enjoyed the similar privilege. So, whenever a royal hunter entered the park to kill a deer all the deer would run helter-skelter, which caused more damages to the herd. So, the two deer kings convened a meeting and resolved that one deer from each group had to go to the hunter for the slaughter on every alternate day. The agreement was, however, to be followed rigorously.
|
The king shooting the deer, the Thai version
|
One day a pregnant doe belonging to Sakha’s herd had her turn for the slaughter. As she was pregnant, she prayed her leader to postpone her turn until the young one was born. Sakha was inconsiderate and did not pay any attention to her request. Wailing, she went to Nigrodha, who complied with her request out of sheer compassion.
Next day, Nigrodha himself went to the execution block and showed his readiness for the slaughter. Surprised at the presence of the golden deer eagerly awaiting its slaughter despite the immunity granted, the king’s men reported the matter to the king.
The king was also surprised. He immediately arrived at the park and asked the deer king to explain the cause for his willingness to be killed. Nigrodha then said, “Sir! A pregnant doe came to me and prayed to let her turn fall on the other. So, to save the life of two deer, I decide to get killed.”
|
The king granting amnesty to the two deer, the Thai version
The king was moved by his compassion. He said, “O deer king! I am impressed with your loving kindness. I spare the life of the doe and yours.”
Nigrodha said, I thank you for that. But what shall happen to other deer, here?”
“I spare their lives too, said the king.
“The deer in your park shall thus gain immunity; but then what will happen to the deer living in your kingdom, queried the deer king.
“I will spare their lives too”, said the king.
“Sir! The deer will be safe in your territory; but then what will happen to other four-footed animals”, Nigrodharaja asked.
“From now onwards, I spare their lives, too”, promised the king.
“Sir, four-footed animals will thus be saved; but then what would happen to the birds”, asked the deer king in his naïve dignity.
The king said, “I spare their lives too”, answered the king.
“Sir! Birds will thus be safe, but then what will happen to the fishes”, questioned the deer.
“I save their lives too, O deer king”, the king assured
Thus the good deer by his compassion saved the lives of all the animals of the kingdom.
(Anand is identified with the king of Varanasi; and Devadatta with Sakha deer).
See Nigrodha-Miga Jataka Jataka Pali No.12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Radha, the elder brother
Once, two parrots were caught and sold to a king. They were brothers. The name of the elder brother was Radha; and the younger was called Potthapada. Charmed by their gaiety, the king put them inside a golden cage. They were then served honey and parched corn in a golden bowl and given the best care. Thus, the two enjoyed a happy life. They also attracted the royal guests, who in turn praised them.
One day, a forester brought a big dark gibbon to the royal court and presented it to the king. Now, the care and attention, which the two parrots had enjoyed so far, drifted to the gibbon. The change in the treatment hurt the younger brother – Potthapada. But Radha, the wiser of the two, did not bother.
One day, upset with the changed attitude of the people, little Potthapada shared his feelings with his brother. He said, “O brother ! This is not right that once being so well attended, we are now being neglected. Should we not quit this palace then?”
Radha tried to console his younger brother by saying, “Look brother! Gain and loss; praise and blame; honour and dishonour are all transitory and seasonal. So, one should not be upset with such changes.” Nonetheless, Potthapada was grumpy, because he resented the people’s attention to the ugly gibbon, who attracted the people by making puckered face and ears move. Radha, then reading his mind, again told his brother, “O dear brother! Don’t worry ! One day the real worth of the gibbon shall be made known to the world; and then your due honour shall be restored.
Soon, the real nature of the gibbon was revealed by his wild gestures and awkward tricks, which terrified the young princes and made them cry. When the king heard the terror of the gibbon he ordered his men to drive it away.
Thus, at the end the parrots were restored with their due gains and attention.
(Those days the Bodhisatta was Radha and Potthapada was Ananda; and Devadatta was Kalabahu).
See Kalabahu Jataka Jataka Pali No. 329.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Nandivisala, Ajanta
Once a calf was given to a brahmin, who called him Nandivisala and treated him with care and affection. When the bull grew up he felt obliged because the brahmin had reared him up with care. To repay the expenses incurred toward his upbringing, he decided to help him. So, one day, he advised the brahmin to put a wager of one thousand coins to prove that he possessed the strongest bull in the village, who could drag one hundred loaded carts. The brahmin accepted the proposal and made the wager of one thousand gold coins in the local market to prove the strength of his bull.
A show was organised in presence of the people assembled there. The brahmin harnessed the bull with a loaded cart, which in turn was tied with another ninety-nine loaded carts. When the show was on, the Brahmin called the bull, “O rascal! Now pull these carts. Quick! Quick!” These words were insulting. Thus hurt, Nandi firmly fixed all his feet on the ground and did not budge an inch. The brahmin shouted and wailed; but it was all in vain because nothing could make the bull move. The brahmin thus lost the wager and paid one thousand coins to a local merchant.
Nandivisala and his master
Back home, the brahmin lay on a cot in extreme grief. Moved with his agony the bull approached him and said, “Sir! Have I ever made any mess or broken any pot in your house ever since I lived here”. The Brahmin said, “No”. The bull then demanded, “Why did you call me a rascal, when I intended to help you? So, if you lost the wager it is the fault of your tongue and not my weakness. The wrong can still be redressed and you can still win a wager of two thousand pieces, if you feel sorry for your words.”
Nandivisala declining to drag the cart
The priest then made an apology and again followed the advice of the bull. This time he made the wager of two thousand coins with a local folk. A similar show was organised in presence of the people. This time the priest decked the bull with garlands and flowers. When the show was on he said, “O Gentle fellow! Can you draw the carts for me?” To the surprise of all, the mighty bull dragged all the hundred carts and helped the brahmin win the wager of two thousand gold coins.
(Those days Ananda was the brahmin and the Bodhisatta was Nandivisala)
See Nandivisala Jataka Jataka Pali No.28. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
कोणत्याही टिप्पण्या नाहीत:
टिप्पणी पोस्ट करा