The Gâtakamâlâ; Or, Garland of Birth-StoriesAryasura
Religion
The Gâtakamâlâ; Or, Garland of Birth-Stories
Aryasura
Gautama Buddha -- Pre-existence
One time, when autumn having drawn away the dark curtain of clouds,
dispensed its beautiful gifts, enlarging the horizon clear and pure, the
lakes were lovely to behold, with their limpid water and with the full
brilliancy of their clusters of lotuses disclosed. It was the season
when the Moon, with increased power of rays, as it were, reaches the
highest pitch of loveliness and youthfulness, when Earth, adorned with
the harvest-bliss of manifold crops, offers a fair aspect, and when the
younger among the swans begin to show themselves. Now, a couple of
swans, who belonged to that very tribe of the Bodhisattva, flew up from
Lake Mânasa, and passing over different regions overspread with autumn's
mildness, at last came to the realm of that king. And there they saw
that lake and the wonderful beauty caused by its flowers; for its
lotuses, when expanded, made it glow as with flames, and its
waterlilies, when unclosed, gave it a laughing aspect. They heard the
echoes of the confused sounds of crowds of birds and the humming of the
bees who were busily roaming over its flowers. They smelt the scent of
the dust of its lotuses and waterlilies scattered about by the gentle,
cool, and soft breezes, which seemed to have the task of gliding over
the wreaths of its waves. Though accustomed to Lake Mânasa, those two
swans were touched by the surpassing loveliness and splendour of that
other lake; and this thought entered their mind: 'Oh! our whole tribe
must come here!'
18. Generally people, obtaining some pleasure within the reach of
everybody, will in the first place remember their friends, owing to the
suggestion of their love.
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