| J.484 |
Saalikedaara Jaataka |
Once when King Magadha was reigning in Rajagaha, the Bodhisatva was a parrot and
looked after his aged parents. When the fields of the brahmin Kosiyagotta were ripe,
the parrot went there with his flock and having fed himself, took some corn for his
parents. The watchman of the fields reported this to his master and on Kosiyagotta’s
instructions, a snare set and the bodhisatva caught. When he raised the alarm, the
other parrots flew away. The bodhisatva then explained to Kosiyagotta why he carried
corn away -- to feed his parents, his young ones and those who were in need, thus,
as it were, repaying a debt, giving a loan and setting up a store of merit. The brahmin
was pleased with the answer and gave permission for the parrot to take corn from
all of his 1,000 acres. However, the bodhisatva accepted only eight. For the introductory
story see the Saama
Jaataka (J.540). Channa is identified with the watchman and Ananda with Kosiyagotta. |
60/349 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.iv.276ff. |
filial piety |