| J.422 |
Cetiya Jaataka | Cetiyaraaja Jaataka |
Apacara was son of king Cara of the Cetiya country in the first kappa. The son was
endowed with four iddhi powers: walking on air, being guarded by four devas, diffusing
the fragrance of sandalwood from his body and the fragrance of lotus from his mouth.
When Apacara was still prince he had promised to appoint his fellow student Kosakalamba
as chaplain when he became king. However, when Apacara came to the throne, the old
kingís chaplain Kapila appointed his own son instead and became a hermit. When the
king realized what had happened he offered to get the post back for Kosakalamba by
means of a lie. The latter protested, because lies had hitherto been unknown to the
world -- but the king persisted in his desire, uttering a lie a total of seven times
to the effect that the post of chaplain belonged to Kosakalamba by right of seniority.
At his first lie he fell to earth and with each successive lie he fell deeper and
deeper into the earth until the flames of Aveci seized him. He was the worldís first
liar. It was related in reference to Devadatta being swallowed up by the earth. |
59/531 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.iii.454ff. |
lies |