| J.374 |
Culladhanuggaha Jaataka |
A young brahmin of Benares came to Takkasila and became proficient in archery. His
teacher gave him his daughter in marriage and he became known as Culla-Dhanuggaha.
When on his way, with his wife, to Benares, he killed a fierce elephant and then
meeting fifty bandits, slew all except the leader. He seized the leader, and hurling
him to the ground, asked his wife for his sword. His wife, however, conceiving a
passion for the bandit, placed the swordís hilt in the banditís hand and he immediately
slew Culla-Dhanuggaha. While walking away with the woman, the bandit reflected on
the womanís treachery and decided to leave her. When they came to a river, he left
her on the bank, and taking her ornaments across the river on the pretence of keeping
them safe, he deserted her. The bodhisatva, born as Sakka, observing the situation,
wished to shame the woman. He appeared before her as a jackal with some meat in its
mouth. When a fish leapt from the river, he abandoned the meat to catch the fish,
but a bird flew away with the meat. The woman saw the incident and understood her
mistake. The story is told in reference to a monk who wished to leave the Order because
of his former wife. The monk is identified with Culla-dhanuggaha and his wife with
the woman of the story. According to the Dhammapada Commentary, the story was told
in reference to a young monk, who going to a house to collect water, saw a young
women and fell in love with her. She encouraged his attentions, and the monk desiring
her, wished to leave the Order.(Dh.A.iv.065ff.) |
58/870 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.iii.219ff. |
woman, disloyalty |