| J.288 |
Macchuddaana Jaataka |
The bodhisatva was once the son of a landed proprietor, and after his father’s death,
he and his younger brother went to a village to settle some business. On their way
back, they had a meal out of a leaf-bottle, and when they had finished, the bodhisatva
threw the remains into the river for the fish, dedicating the merit for the river-spirit.
The power of the river-spirit increased and she discovered the cause. The younger
brother was of a dishonest disposition, and when the elder was asleep, he packed
a parcel of gravel to resemble the money they were carrying and hid them both. While
they were in mid-river, he stumbled against the side of the boat and dropped what
he thought to be the parcel of gravel, but what was really the money. He told the
Bodhisatva about it, who forgave him. However, the river spirit, out of gratitude
to the bodhisatva, made a fish swallow the parcel of money. The fish was later caught
and hawked about, and owing to the influence of the river-spirit, the fisherman asked
1000 pieces + 7 annas for the fish. Everyone laughed thinking it was a joke, but
when the fisherman reached the bodhisatva’s house he offered the fish for only 7
annas. The fish was bought and cut open by the wife and the money given to him. At
that instant the river-spirit informed him of what she had done and asked him to
have no consideration for his brother, who was a thief and was greatly disappointed
at the failure of his trick. In spite of the warning, the bodhisatva sent his brother
500 pieces. The Jataka was told in reference to a dishonest merchant who is identified
with the cheat. |
58/304 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.ii.423ff. |
deceit, cheat |