| J.007 |
Ka.t.thahaari Jaataka |
Brahmadatta, the king of Benares, while wandering about in a grove, seeking for fruits
and flowers, came across a woman merrily singing as she gathered sticks. He became
intimate with her, and the Bodhisatva was conceived there and then. The king gave
the woman his signet ring, with instructions that if the child was a boy, he should
be brought to the court with the ring. When the Bodhisatva grew up, his playmates
taunted him by calling him Ôno-fatherÕ. Feeling ashamed, he asked his mother
about it and, on hearing the truth, insisted on being taken to the king. When confronted
with the child, the king was too shy to acknowledge his parentage, and the mother,
having no witness, threw the child in the air with the resolution that he should
remain there if her words were true. The boy, sitting cross-legged in the air, requested
the king to adopt him. The request was granted, and the woman made queen consort.
On his fatherÕs death, he became king under the name of Katthavahana. The story
was told to Pasenadi on his refusal to recognize the claim to the throne of Vidudabha,
his son by Vasabhakhattiya. |
55/213 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.i.133ff. |
responsibility, illegitimate child |