| J.012 |
Nigrodhamiga Jaataka | Nigrodha Jaataka |
Once the bodhisatva was born as king of the deer and was called Nigrodha. With him
was the leader of another herd and he was called Sakha. There was an agreement between
the two herds that on an alternate days, a deer from their herd should offer itself
to be killed by the king of Benares. One day the turn fell on a pregnant doe of Sakhaís
herd and when asked to wait until she had brought forth her young, she was refused
by Sakha. She then appealed to Nigrodha who took the turn on himself. Immunity had
been granted to king of the herd and when his act was reported to the king, he came
in person to enquire into the matter. On hearing the story, he was greatly moved
and promised immunity both to Nigrodha and the doe. Nigrodha was not satisfied, however,
until the king promised immunity to all living beings. Later on, discovering that
the deer, taking advantage of this were destroying menís crops, Nigrodha gave orders
to his herd to refrain from doing so. The story was related in reference to the mother
of Kumara Kassapa. She had joined the Order under Devadatta, not knowing that she
was pregnant. On discovering her condition, Devadatta expelled her from the Order.
She appealled to the Buddha, who caused an enquiry to be held, and having been assured
of her innocence, he restored her to all honour. When Kumara Kassapa was born, he
too was admitted to the Order. Devadatta was identified with Sakha, Kumara Kassapa
with the doeís offspring, his mother with the doe and the king with Ananda. |
55/233 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.i.145ff., DhA.iii.148ff., Mtu.i.359ff. |
abortion |