| J.429 |
Mahaasuka Jaataka | Mahaasukaraaja Jaataka |
The bodhisatva was once king of the parrots and lived in a fig-tree grove in the
Himalayas. After some time, the fruits on which they lived were exhausted, but he
still lived there eating bark, shoots or whatever else could be found. Sakkaís throne
was heated, and Sakka, assuming the form of a goose and accompanied by Suja, visited
the parrot and asked why he did not go elsewhere. The parrot answered that he did
not wish to forsake old friends, and Sakka, pleased with the answer, granted him
a boon. The parrot asked that the fig-tree be made fruitful again and this Sakka
did. The story was told to a monk who had a pleasant dwelling place near a village,
but who found alms difficult to obtain, the villagers becoming very poor. He became
very discontented, but the Buddha asked him not to forsake his dwelling. The Sakka
of the story is identified with Anuruddha. At DhA.i.283ff. the story is supposed
to have been related to Nigamavasi Tissa, and Sakka was identified with Ananda. |
59/627 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.iii.490ff. |
loyalty, friendship |