| J.415 |
Kummaasapi.n.da Jaataka |
Once the bodhisatva was servant to a rich man in Benares, and having received four
portions of sour gruel for wages, gave them to four paccekabuddhas. After death he
was born as heir to the throne of Benares and married the daughter of the king of
Kosala. Remembering his previous life, he composed a song about it -- the song became
very popular, although no-one understood its true meaning. The queen, having been
promised a boon, chose to know the meaning of the song, and the king, having summoned
the people from twelve leagues around, explained the allusions. The queen too, revealed
too, how she had once been a slave in the court of Ambattha and had given alms to
a holy monk. She is identified with Rahulamata. The story is told in reference to
Queen Mallika -- she was a garland-makerís daughter, and one day gave three portions
of sour gruel to the Buddha. That same day she became the chief queen of King Pasenadi. |
59/417 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.iii.405ff. |
alms giving |