| J.191 |
Ruhaka Jaataka |
Ruhaka was the chaplain of the bodhisatva, born as king of Benares. The king gave
him a horse with rich trappings and when he rode him, everybody was lost in admiration.
Ruhakaís wife was a foolish old woman who, on hearing the peopleís praise, declared
that the excitement was due not to the qualities of the animal but to its trappings,
and that if Ruhaka would go out wearing the horseís trappings, he would be similarly
applauded. Ruhaka agreed to the suggestion and suffered great humiliation. He went
home in anger, determined to punish his wife, but she had escaped and had sought
the kingís protection. The king persuaded Ruhaka to forgive her because ëall womankind
is full of faultsí. The occasion for the story is given in the Indriya
Jataka (J.423). |
57/224 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.ii.113ff. |
women, fools, advice, praise |