| J.360 |
Sussondii Jaataka |
Tamba was king of Benares and his wife was the beautiful Sussondii. The bodhisatva
was a young garuda who lived in Nagadipa and used to go in disguise to play dice
with King Tamba. The queen heard of his beauty and going to see him, they fell in
love with one another. The garuda, by his power, whipped up a storm which covered
the city in darkness, by cover of which he eloped with Sussondii. The king was filled
with grief, not knowing what had happened to his queen, as the garuda continued to
play dice with him. Tamba therefore sent Sagga, a minstrel, to search for her. In
the course of his wanderings, Sagga came to Bhaarukaccha and took a ship to Suvannabhumi.
In the middle of the ocean, the sailors asked Sagga to play for them, but Sagga said
his music would excite the big fish and trouble would ensue. The sailors insisted,
however, and the maddened fish and sea-monsters broke the ship in two. Sagga lay
on a plank and floated to Nagadipa. There he saw and was recognized by Sussondii.
Sussondii took him home, and keeping him hidden from the garuda, enjoyed herself
with him when the garuda was away playing dice. Six weeks later a ship, with merchants
from Benares, touched at Nagadipa and Sagga returned home. He found Tamba playing
dice with the garuda and recounted his adventures in a song. The garuda heard the
song and understood the references. Filled with remorse that he had not been able
to keep his wife, he brought her back to Tamba. The story is related in reference
to a love-sick monk. Ananda is identified with Tamba. |
58/785 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.iii.187ff. |
women, infidelity |