| J.004 |
Cullakase.t.thii Jaataka |
Once the bodhisatva was born as Cullakasetthi in Benares. One day, while on the way
to the palace, he saw a dead mouse lying on the road, and noticing the position of
the stars, he said, ëAny decent young fellow with his wits about him has only to
pick up the mouse and he will be made for life.í A young man of good family, called
Cullantevasika picked up the mouse and sold it for a farthing to a tavern for their
cat to eat. With the farthing he bought molasses and drinking water for flower-gatherers.
Later he gathered branches and leaves blown down by the wind in the kingís garden
and sold them to a potter for a large sum of money. He entered a friendship with
a land-trader and a sea-trader and, by using the information he obtained from them,
he was able to make 200,000 pieces by means of skilful and far-sighted business dealings.
He then visited Cullasetthi to express to him his gratitude and the setthi, on hearing
of his skill, was so impressed that he gave him his daughter in marriage. The young
man is identified with Cullapanthaka in reference to whom the story is related. |
55/183 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.i.114ff. |
enterprise |