| J.536 |
Ku.nala Jaataka |
Kunala, king of the citrakokila-birds, though well served by his hen consorts, always
despised them and found fault with them. The king of the phussakokila-birds, Punnamukha,
however, always sang the praises of his consorts. One day the two kings met and Punnamukha
asked why Kunala was not more gracious to his women. ‘Because I already know too
much about women’ he answered. Later Punnamukha fell ill and his escorts deserted
him, coming to Kunala. Kunala drove them away and tended to Punnamukha himself. Subsequently
Kunala related his many lifetimes of woe as the result of the deceitfulness, ingratitude
and immorality of women. The Jataka is related in order to destroy the discontent
that rose in the hearts of the Sakyan youths, kinsmen of the Buddha, who having entered
the Order, were troubled by the thought of the wives they had left behind. They became
arahants as the result of hearing the Jataka. |
62/514 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.v.412ff. |
women |