Once upon a time there reigned in the city of Rajagaha, in the kingdom of Magadha, a righteous King of Magadha. In those days the Bodhisatta came to life again as a Brahmin of the North west. Growing up, he renounced the world for the hermit’s life, won the Knowledges and the attainments, and went to live in the Himalayas. On one occasion, returning from the Himalayas took up his abode in the King’s chatram; he went on the second day into the city to collect alms. Seeing him, the King had him summoned into the palace and there provided with a seat and with food, extracting a promise from him that he would take up his abode in the chatram. So the Bodhisatta used to receive his food at the palace and live in the chatram.

Now, in that city, there lived a Brahmin known as Cloth omens. And he had clothes which were gnawed by mice, and his son declared that these clothes will be given free at his doorsteps. The Bodhisatta got there first and took his seat at the gate; and picking up the suit which the young Brahmin threw away, he returned to the chatram. When the son told this to the old Brahmin, the latter exclaimed, “It will be the death of the King’s ascetic” and entreated the Bodhisatta to throw that suit away, lest he should perish. We have no belief in superstitions about luck, which are not approved by Buddhas, Pacceka Buddhas, or Bodhisatta; and therefore no wise man ought to be a believer in luck.” Hearing the truth thus expounded, the Brahmin forsook his errors and took refuge in the Bodhisatta. And the Bodhisatta, preserving his insight unbroken, earned re-birth thereafter in the Brahma Realm.

Having told this story, the Master, as Buddha, taught the Truth to the Brahmin:-

Whoso renounces omens, dreams and signs,

That man, from superstition’s errors freed,

Shall triumph over the paired Depravities

And other Attachments to the end of time.