305. The Brahmin And The Black Snake
Once upon a time a king called Janaka was reigning in Benares. At that time the Bodhisatta was born in a brahmin family, and they called his name young Senaka. When he grew up he learned all the arts at Takkasila, and returning to Benares saw the king. the king appointed him as minister and gave him great glory. He taught the king things temporal and spiritual. The Bodhisatta taught the law in a decorate room in the middle of a deer-skin-couch and his word was like the preaching of Buddhas.
304. The Brahmadatta And Three Kingdoms
Once upon a time, Brahmadatta king of Benares had two sons. To the elder he gave the viceroyalty, the younger he made commander-in-chief. Afterwards when Brahmadatta was dead, the courtiers were for making the elder son king by the ceremonial sprinkling. But he said, “I care not for a kingdom; let younger brother have it.” They begged and besought him, but he refused; and the younger was sprinkled to be king. The elder cared not for the viceroyalty, or any such thing; and when they begged him to remain, he said, “No. I have nothing to do in this city,” and he departed from Benares.
303. The Bothisatta And His Son
Once upon a time, when Brahadatta was king in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born into a brahmin family of great wealth, and after his education was finished managed the estate. Then his wife gave birth a son, and died. He thought, “What is this life without my beloved wife? What is a home to me. I will become an ascetic.” So forsaking his lusts, he went with his son to Himalayas and with him entered upon the ascetic life, developed the mystic Trance and transcendent Knowledge, and dwelt in the woods, supporting life on fruits and roots.
302. The Bodisatta And The Partridge
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodisatta was born in a brahmin family. And when he grew up, he studied all the arts at Takkasila, and giving up the world devoted himself to the ascetic life in the Himalayas, and developed all the Faculties and Attainments. There enjoying the pleasures of ecstatic meditation he lived in a pleasant grove. He went to a village to procure salt and vineger. The people, on seeing him, became believers, and built him a hut of leaves in a wood, and providing him with all that a Buddhist requires, made a home for him there.
