Category Archives: INDIA
25. The Ascetic And The Dead Elephant
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was Sakka. A wealthy Brahmin, living in Benares, left the world, and became an ascetic in the Himalaya, living by picking up roots and fruits in the forest. One day, searching for wild fruits, he saw an elephant-calf, and took it to his hermitage; he made as if it were his own son, calling it Somadatta, and tended it with food of grass and leaves.
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.
23. Teaching Moral Law Against Wishes
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta reigned in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born and grew up in a brahmin house, and became the chief pupil of a world-famed teacher at Takkasila. At that time this teacher preached the moral law to any one that he might see, fishermen etc., even if they did not want it, repeatedly bidding them receive the law. But though they received it, they kept it not. The teacher spoke of it to his disciples. His disciples said, “Holy Sir! you preach to them against their wishes, and therefore they break the law. Hence preach only to those who wish to hear you, and not to those who do not wish.” The teacher was filled with regret, but even so he still laid down the law to all whom he happened to see.
22. Snake-Charmer And The Monkey
Once upon a time, Brahmadatta ruled Benares. The Bodhisatta was born into a landowner’s family, and gained a living by selling corn. Another man, snake-charmer, had trained a monkey, made him swallow an antidote, and making a snake play with the monkey and thus gained his livelihood.
