Monthly Archives: January 2014
184. The Bodhisatta And The Impermanence Of Things
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born into a brahmin family. And when he grew up, he studied all the arts at Takkasila and then returned to his parents. In this Birth the Great Being became a holy young student. Then his parents told him they would look out a wife for him.
The Bodhisatta said, “I have no desire for a married life; When you are dead, I will adopt the religious life of an ascetic.”
183. The Bodhisatta And The Hunter
Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta became a Monkey named Nandiya, or Jolly; and lived in the Himalayas; and his youngest brother bore the name of Jollikin. They two headed a band of eighty thousand monkeys, and they had a blind mother in their home to care for.
They left their mother in her lair in the bushes, and went amongst the trees to find sweet wild fruit, which they sent back home to her. The messengers did not deliver it; and, tormented with hunger, she became nothing but skin and bone. The Bodhisatta said to her, “Mother, we send you plenty of sweet fruits; then what makes you so thin?”
182. The Bodhisatta And The Horses
Once upon a time, while Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta was his a courtier who advised him on all things, temporal and spiritual. Now this king was of a somewhat covetous nature; and he had a brute of a horse, named Mahasona, or Big Chestnut.
Some horse dealers from the north country brought down five hundred horses; and word was sent to the king that these horses had arrived. Until then the Bodhisatta had always asked the dealers to fix their own price, and then paid it in full. But now the king, being displeased with him, summoned another of his court, to whom he said,”Friend, make the men name their price; then let loose Mahasona so that he goes amongst them; make him bite them, and when they are weak and wounded get the men to reduce their price.”
181. The Bodhisatta And The Grief
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born to him as the son of his queen-consort. And they called him prince Ghata. He afterwards acquired knowledge of the arts at Takkasila and ruled his kingdom righteously.
Now a minister misconducted himself in the royal harem. The king, after witnessing the offence with his own eyes, banished him from his kingdom. At that time a king named Vanka ruled in Savatthi. The minister went to him and entering his service, gained the king’s goodwill induced him to invade on the kingdom of Benares.
