| J.502 |
Ha.msa Jaataka |
Khema, wife of King Samyama, king of Benares had a dream after which she longed to
see a golden goose preach the Dhamma from the royal throne. When the king learned
her desire, he had a pond dug outside the city in the hope of enticing golden geese
to come there. He appointed a fowler to look after the pond. The plan succeeded and
Dhatarattha, king of the golden geese was caught in a fowler’s snare and could not
escape. He waited until the flock had finished feeding, then gave an alarm cry at
which all the geese fled except for his commander in chief, Sumukha. When the fowler
came, Sumukha offered to give his life for his king, but learning the reason why
they had been caught, asked that both of them be taken before the king. Dhatarattha
preached moral law to the king and queen and after being paid great honour, were
released. The Jataka was related in reference to Ananda’s attempt to offer his life
in order to save the Buddha from being killed by the elephant Nalagiri. Channa is
identified with the fowler, Sariputta with the king, Khemaa Therii with the queen
and Ananda with Sumukha. See also Cullaha.msa
Jataka (J.533) and Mahaaha.msa
Jataka (J.534). |
61/109 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.iv.423ff. |
loyalty |