The Gâtakamâlâ; Or, Garland of Birth-StoriesAryasura
Religion
The Gâtakamâlâ; Or, Garland of Birth-Stories
Aryasura
Gautama Buddha -- Pre-existence
* * * * *
In this manner a man by keeping down his anger appeases his enemies, but
doing otherwise he will inflame them. Thus considering, one ought to
strive after the suppression of anger. [This story is also to be told in
connection with such sayings as praise the precept of forbearance, viz.
'in this manner unfriendly feelings are set at rest by friendliness, and
by self-restraint hatred is not allowed to grow,' and 'in this manner he
who banishes anger acts to the benefit of both.' Likewise when
expounding the sinfulness of anger, and treating of the high-mindedness
of the Tathâgata.]
XXII. THE STORY OF THE HOLY SWANS.
(Comp. Pâli _G_âtaka, No. 533, Fausb. V, 337-354.)
The virtuous, even when in distress, behave in such a manner as cannot
be imitated by the impious; how much less are the latter able to follow
up the conduct of the virtuous, when favoured by fortune! This will be
taught as follows.
One time, it is told, the Bodhisattva was a king of swans. He was the
chief of a large tribe of swans, numbering many hundred thousands, who
lived in Lake Mânasa. His name was Dh_ri_tarâsh_t_ra. The commander of
his army, who was called Sumukha[153], was skilled in the management of
affairs, knowing the right and the wrong policy very well; his keen
intellect encompassed the objects and events over a large extent of
space and time; born of an illustrious family, he embellished the
nobility of his extraction by his talent, his courtesy, his modesty; he
was endowed with the virtues of constancy, honesty, courage, and
distinguished by the purity of his conduct, mode of life, and behaviour;
moreover he was capable of enduring fatigue, vigilant and clever in
military marches as well as in battles, and bore a great affection to
his master. In consequence of their mutual love the grandeur of their
qualities shone the more; and as they were in the habit of instructing
that flock of swans, as a teacher and his foremost disciple would
instruct all his other pupils, or a father with his eldest son his other
sons, inculcating upon their mind a peaceable behaviour towards others,
and such other matters as lead to the benefit of the creatures, they
offered a spectacle for the great admiration of the Devas, Snakes,
Yakshas, Vidyâdharas, and holy ascetics who witnessed them.
[153] The original text has here this interpolation, 'who was the
presbyter Ânanda at that time,' of course bracketed by the editor.
Cp. the note on p. 164.
1. As of a bird in the sky both wings are incessantly occupied in
holding up his body, so these two knew no other business than that of
supporting the body of Salvation for their flock of swans.
Now that tribe of swans, being thus favoured by them, attained a state
of great plenty, in the same way as mankind by the extension of
righteousness and material prosperity. Consequently that lake bore the
utmost beauty.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account