Category Archives: INDIA
105. The Bodhisatta – The Acrobat
Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born into an acrobat’s family. When he grew up, he was a very wise and clever fellow. From another acrobat he learned the javelin dance, and with his master used to travel about exhibiting his skill. Now this master of his knew the four javelin dance but not the five; but one day when performing in a village, he, being in liquor, had five javelins set up in a row and gave out that he would dance through the lot.
104. The Bodhisatta – Refused To Become Chaplain
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born to chaplain on the same day as the king’s son. And when the king asked his ministers if any child had been born on the same day as his son, they said, “Yes! Sir! a son of your family priest.” So the king had him brought and given into the charge of nurses to be carefully tended together with the young prince, and they both had the same ornaments to wear and had exactly the same things to eat and drink. And when they were grown up, they went together to Takkasila and as soon as they had attained proficiency in all the sciences they returned home.
103. The Bodhisatta – Prince of Benares
Once upon a time Brahmadatta ruled Benares. The king, having gone in great state to his pleasaunce, was roaming about looking for fruits and flowers. Then he came across a woman who was merrily singing away as she picked up sticks in the grove. Falling in love at first sight, the king became intimate with her, and the Bodhisatta, was conceived then and there. Feeling heavy within the woman knew that she would became a mother, and told the king so. He gave her the signet-ring from his finger and dismissed her with these words:- “If it be a girl, spend this ring on her nurture; but if it be a boy, bring ring and child to me.”
102. The Bodhisatta – Prince Mahimsasa
Once upon a time Brahmadatta was ruling Benares in Kasi. The Bodhisatta born as king’s son and was duly named Prince Mahimsasa. By the time he could run about, a second son was born to the king, and the name they gave this child was Prince Moon; but by the time he could run about, the Bodhisatta’s mother died. Then the king married another queen, who was his joy and delight. For them another prince was born whom they named Prince Sun. In his joy at the birth of the boy, the king promised to grant her any boon she might ask on the child’s behalf. But the queen treasured up the promise to be fulfilled at her own good time hereafter. Later, when her son had grown up, she said to the king, “Sir, when my boy was born, you granted me a boon to ask for him. Let him be king.”
