Category Archives: JATAKA TALES

52. The Bodhisatta – As A Lion with Jackal

Once upon a time while Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta came into the world as a young Lion in the region of Himalaya. Of the same family there were some younger brothers, and one sister; and all of them lived in a Golden Cave.

Nearby this cave was a cave of Crystal on a silver hill, where a jackal lived. By and by the Lions lost their parents. Then they used to leave the Lioness, their sister, behind in the cave, while they went out for food; which when they obtained, they would bring it back for her to eat.

51. The Bodhisatta – As A Lion Who Saved Animals

Once upon a time when Brahmadatta reigned in Benares, the Bodhisatta came to life as a young lion. And when fully grown he lived in a wood. Near the Western Ocean, there was a grove of palms mixed with vilva tree.

One day this hare after feeding came and lay down beneath the young palm tree. And the thought struck him: “If this earth should be destroyed, what would become of me?” At this very moment a ripe vilva fruit fell on a palm leaf. At the sound of it, the hare thought: “This solid earth is collapsing,” and starting up he ran, without looking behind. Another hare saw him running, as if frightened to death, and asked the cause of his panic. Then the hare stopped a moment and without looking back said, “The earth here is breaking up.” And at this the second hare ran after the other. Seeing this and knowing that the earth is splitting up, all the other animals followed them.

50. The Bodhisatta – As A Lion And The Jackal Club

Once on a time, when Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta was a Lion in the Himalayas, and he had a cub by a she jackal who mated with him. The cub was just like his father in toes, claws, mane, colour, figure all these; but in voice he was like his mother.

49. The Bodhisatta – As A Jackal

Once on a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born a jackal. He lived in a charnel grove. He was a king to the following jackals.

And at that time there was a festival held at Rajagaha, and everybody celebrated it by drinking and dancing.