Category Archives: INDIA
89. The Bodhisatta – As Sakka, King Of The Gods
Once upon a time, when king Brahmadatta reigned in Benares, the Bodhisatta became Sakka, king of the gods.
Brahmadatta could not endure to look upon anything old or decrepit, whether elephant, horse, ox, or what not. He was full of pranks, and whenever he saw any such, he would chase them away; he destroyed old carts; any old women that he saw he sent for, and beat upon the belly, then stood them up again and gave them a scare; he made old men roll about and play on the ground like tumblers. If he saw none, but only heard that there was a greybeard in a town, he sent for him and took his sport with him.
88. The Bodhisatta – As Prince Five Weapons
Once on a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta came to life as prince, once more. On the day when he was to be named, the parents enquired as to their child’s destiny from eight hundred Brahmins.These clever soothsaying Brahmins foretold that, coming to the throne at the king’s death, the child should be a mighty king endowed with every virtue; famed and renowned for his exploits with five weapons, he should stand peerless in all Jambudipa. And because of this prophecy of the Brahmins, the parents named their son Prince Five Weapons.
87. The Bodhisatta – As Prince Dighavu
The Bodhisatta was born as Prince of Kosala. King of Benares invaded Kosala and killed the king and queen. Now prince Dighavu, having found the king of Benares in the forest, seized him by his top-knot and said, “Now will I cut into fourteen pieces the murderer who slew my father and mother.” And at the very moment when he drew his sword, he recalled the advise given him by his parents and he thought, “Though I should sacrifice my own life, I will not trample under foot their counsel. I will content myself with frightening him.”
86. The Bodhisatta – As Monkey Chief
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was king in Benars, the Bodhisatta was born in the womb of a monkey, and lived in the king’s garden with a retinue of five hundred monkeys. Devadatta was also born in the womb of a monkey, and lived there also with a retinue of five hundred monkeys. Then one day when the king’s family priest had gone to the garden, bathed and adorned himself. One tricky monkey going ahead of him sat above the gateway arch of the garden and let excrement fall on the priest’s head as he went out.
