| J.526 |
Na.linikaa Jaataka |
The bodhisatva was once an ascetic in the Himavanta forest. A doe drank water in
which his semen had fallen and conceived a son whom he adopted and named Isisinga.
Isisingha became an ascetic of such power that Sakka trembled at his power. In order
to challenge his power, Sakka caused a drought in Kasi lasting three years. When
the inhabitants complained to the king, Sakka appeared before him and suggested that
if the king’s daughter, Nalinika, would seduce Isisingha and destroy his power, rain
would fall. Nalinika was accordingly sent to the Himalayas and arrived at Isisinga’s
hut dressed in ascetic’s garb while the bodhisatva was absent. Pretending to have
been wounded by a bear, she played on the simplicity of the guileless young man.
Through her seductions, his virtue was curtailed and his mystic meditation ended.
Delighted with the outcome of his plot, Sakka caused rain to fall in Kasi and Nalinika
left the hermitage. When the bodhisatva returned and heard of the visit of the youthful
ascetic and of all that followed, he admonished Isisingha and warned him for the
future. The story was told in reference to a monk who was seduced by the wife of
his worldly days. Isisingha is identified with the monk and Nalinika with his wife.
(see also Mtu.iii.193ff.) |
62/001 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.v.193ff. |
temptation, women |