| J.140 |
Kaaka Jaataka |
Once the Bodhisatva was born as a crow. One day a mischievous crop let a dropping
fall onto the head of the kingís chaplain as he returned from bathing. The chaplain
swore vengeance on the crows. Some time later a goat ate rice laid in the sun to
dry. It was beaten with a flaming torch setting it on fire. It in turn set the royal
elephant stalls on fire, burning the elephants. Seizing the opportunity, the chaplain
told the king that the elephant burns could be cured by crow fat. Crows were thereby
slain for the sake of their fat. The Bodhisatva sought the audience of the king and
explained the chaplainís real motive -- furthermore he informed the king that in
reality, crows have no fat because their life is spent in ceaseless dread. The king,
being greatly pleased with the Bodhisatvaís explanation, granted amnesty to all living
beings and to crows in particular. The circumstances of the story are to be found
in the Bhaddasala
Jataka (J.465). See also Kapi
Jataka (J.404). |
56/454 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.i.484ff. |
vengeance |