Monthly Archives: January 2014
64. The Bodhisatta – As A Singila Bird
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta reigned in Benares, the Bodhisatta came to life as a young singila bird. When he grew to be a big bird, he settled in the Himalayas and built him a nest. When the rain fell without intermission, a monkey sat near the Bodhisatta and his teeth chattering by severe cold. The Bodhisatta, seeing him thus distressed asked, “You are like a human in form; why not build a hut to hide from cold?”
63. The Bodhisatta – As A Royal Peacock
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta. Was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta came to life as a young peacock. And when he was fully grown, he was exceedingly beautiful and lived in a forest. At that time some merchants came to the kingdom of Baveru, brought a foreign crow. At this time, it is said, there were no birds in Baveru. The natives who from time to time came saw this bird perched on the top of the mast, said, “Mark the colour of this bird’s skin. Look at its beaked mouth at the end of its throat, and its eyes like jewel-balls.” Thus singing the praises of this crow they said to these merchants, “Sirs, give us this bird. We need it, and you can get another in your own country.”
62. The Bodhisatta – As A Robber
Once upon a time when Brahadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born in a village of Kasi in the home of a householder, under the star of a robber. When he grew up to be a man, he gained his living by robbery, and his fame was blazed abroad in the world, as a bold fellow and as strong as an elephant. And no man could catch him. One day he broke into a rich merchant’s house and carried off much treasure. The townsfolk came to the king and said, “Sir! a mighty robber is plundering the city; have him arrested.” The king ordered the governor of the city to seize him. So in the night the governor posted men here and there on detachments, and having effected his capture with the money upon him, he reported it to the king. The king ordered the governor cut off his head. Then the governor had his arms tightly bound behind him, and having tied a wreath of red kanavera flowers about his neck and sprinkled brickdust on his head, had him scourged with whips in every square, and then led to the place of execution to the music of the harsh-sounding drum. Men said, “This rapacious robber who loots our city is taken,” and the whole city was greatly moved.
61. The Bodhisatta – As a Quail
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta was born a quail, and lived in the forest. He was the head of many thousands of quails. In those days a fowler who caught quails came to that place; and he used to imitate the note of a quail till he saw that the birds had been drawn together; when he flung his net over them, and whipped the sides of the net together, so as to get them all huddled up in a heap. Then he crammed them into his basket, go home and sold his prey for his living.
