Tag Archives: The Archer And His Wife

24. The Archer And His Wife

Once upon a time in the reign of Brahmadatta, king of Benares, the Bodhisatta was reborn as Sakka. At that time a young brahmin of Benares acquired all the liberal arts at Takkasila and having attained to proficiency in archery, he was know as the clever Little Archer. Then his master thought, “This youth has acquired skill equal to my own,” and he gave him his daughter to wife. He took her and wishing to return to Benares he set out on the road. Half way on his journey, an elephant was living in a place, and no man dared to go to that spot. The clever Little Archer took his wife and climbed up to the entrance of the forest. Then when he was in the midst of the wood, the elephant rose up to attack him. The Archer wounded him in the forehead with an arrow, which piercing him through and the elephant fell down dead on the spot.