| J.402 |
Sattubhasta Jaataka | Senaka Jaataka |
The bodhisatva was once Senaka, counsellor of Janaka, king of Benares. He preached
the Dhamma once a fortnight, on fast days and large numbers of people including the
king went to hear him. An old brahmin, begging for alms, was given 1,000 pieces.
He gave these to another brahmin to take care of, but the latter spent them, and
when the owner came to ask for them, he gave his young daughter as wife in instead
of the money. This girl had a lover, and, in order to be able to see him, she asked
her husband to go begging for a maid to help her in the house. She filled a bag of
provisions for the journey. On his way home, having earned 700 pieces, the brahmin
opened the bag, and after having eaten some of the food, went to a stream to drink,
leaving the bag open. A snake crept into the bag and lay there. A tree-sprite thinking
to warn the brahmin said, ëif you stop on the way you will die, if you return home
your wife will die,í and then disappeared. Much alarmed, the brahmin went towards
Benares, weeping along the way, and, as it was a fast day, people going to hear Senaka,
directed the brahmin to him. Senaka, hearing the brahminís story, guessed the truth
and had the bag opened in front of the people. The snake was discovered and was seized.
To show his gratitude, the brahmin gave Senaka his 700 pieces, but Senaka gave them
back with another 300, warning the brahmin not to take the money home. He buried
the money under a tree, but could not keep the secret from his wife. She told her
lover and the money was stolen. The brahmin again sought Senaka, who told him of
a plan for discovering the lover, and when he was found, Senaka sent for him and
made him confess his guilt. The Jataka was related in reference to the Buddhaís wisdom.
Ananda was the brahmin and Sariputta the tree-sprite. |
59/266 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.iii.341ff. |
women, wisdom, infidelity |