| J.125 |
Ka.taahaka Jaataka |
Once when the bodhisatva was a rich treasurer in Benares, a son was born to him.
A female slave in the house gave birth to a son on the same day. The boys grew up
together, the slaveís son being called Katahaka. Katahaka acquired various arts in
the company of his master. When he grew up, he was appointed as the treasurerís private
secretary. One day Katahaka visited a merchant on the frontier, carrying a letter
purporting to be from the treasurer (in which he was stated to be the son of the
latter) asking for the hand of the merchantís daughter in marriage. The merchant
was overjoyed and the marriage took place. Katahaka gave himself great airs and spoke
contemptuously of everything ëprovincialí The treasurer discovered what had happened
and decided to visit the merchant, but Katahaka went to meet him on the way, and
paying him all the honour due from a slave, begged him not to expose him. Meanwhile
he had misled his wifeís relations into the belief that the homage paid by him to
the treasurer was but the regard due from a son to his father. He was not like the
sons of some parents, but knew what was due to his father. The bodhisatva being pleased,
did not expose the slave, but on learning from Katahakaís wife that he always complained
about his food, he taught her a stanza which contained the threat - not intelligable
to her, but clear to Katahaka - that if Katahaka continued to make a nuisance of
himself the treasurer would return and expose him. Thenceforth Katahaka held his
peace. The story was related in reference to a monk who used to boast of his high
lineage and the wealth of his family, until his pretensions were exposed.See also
Kala.n.duka
Jaataka (J.127). |
56/484 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.i.451ff., DhA.iii.ff. |
pretentious, forgiveness |