42. The Bodhisatta – As A God
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta become a god in the heaven of the Thirty-three. Now at this time there was a great festival at Benares. A crowd of Nagas and Garuda birds and terrestrial deities came and watched the festival. And four divine beings from the heaven of the Thirty-three, wearing a wreath made of heavenly kakkaru flowers, came to see the festival.
41. The Bodhisatta – As A Garuda King
Once upon a time king Tamba reigned in Benares, and his queen named Sussondi was a woman of surpassing beauty. At that time the Bodhisatta came to life as a young Garuda. Now the Naga Island was then known as Seruma island, and the Bodhisatta lived on this island in the abode of the Garudas. And he went to Benares, disguised as a youth, and played dice with king Tamba.
40. The Bodhisatta – As A Flying Horse
Once upon a time, a goblin town called Sirisavatthu was in Ceylon. She goblins lived there. When a ship wrecked, these goblins decorated themselves, they come up to the merchants. Then approaching the merchants they invite them to eat the gruel, rice, and other food which they bring. The merchants, all unaware, eat of what is offered. When they have eaten and drunken, and are taking their rest, the goblins address them thus; “Where do you live? Where do you come from? Where are you going, and what brought you here?” “We were shipwrecked here,” they reply.
39. The Bodhisatta – As a Fairy – Deer Couple
Once upon a time in the kingdom of Magadha the king was reigning in Rajagaha. When the crops were grown the deer were exposed to great perils, so that they retired to the forest. Now a certain mountain-stag of the forest, having become attached to a doe who came from near a village. He was moved by his love for her to accompany her when the deer returned home from the forest. She said, “Sir! You are a simple stag of the forest, and the neighbourhood of village is beset with peril and danger. So don’t come down with us.” But because of his great love for her, he went with her.
