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XI. The Story of Sakra - SE Quadrant, Upper Register, Reliefs 44 - 47 |
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THE JATAKAMALA The
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Adapted from the 19th century translation by J. S Speyer "The
low-minded do wicked actions in consequence of their cruelty. Neither adversity nor the brilliancy of sovereign power can relax in the high-minded the virtue of compassion towards living beings. This will be taught now. In the time when the Bodhisattva--having well practiced meritorious actions for a long time and having come into possession of the virtues of charity, self-restraint, continence and compassion--was directing his extraordinary performances for the benefit of others, he became Sakra, the Lord of the Devas. Because that rank had fallen to his share, the magnificence of the Chief of the Celestials shone in a higher degree and displayed a greater majesty. Something analogous may be seen when a palace adorned by a covering of fresh stucco is made resplendent by the moonbeams. The rich luster of that mighty state to conquer, which the sons of Diti dared push forward against the impetuous advance of the world-elephants and expose their breasts to their pestle-like tusks, that brilliancy was his. But though the Bodhisattva easily enjoyed the happiness at his command, nevertheless, that bliss did not stain his heart with pride. Ruling heaven and earth in the proper manner, he acquired splendid glory, which pervaded the whole universe. Unable to bear the very wonderful bliss which he enjoyed, the Asuras waged war against him. They marched to fight him with an enormous army of elephants, chariots, horsemen and footmen that was drawn up in the proud array of battle and making a noise as awful as that of the wild Ocean. Through the glittering blaze of their various kinds of offensive and defensive weapons they hardly suffered themselves to be looked upon. Though attached to the precepts of righteousness, the Bodhisattva felt within his heart the disposition to indulge in the frenzy of fighting. He was prompted to do so by the pride of his enemies the Asuras, by the danger of his own men who had had their peaceful sport unpleasantly interrupted, and by the regard of his majesty for the traditional line of conduct that lies along the path of political wisdom. |
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So he mounted his excellent golden chariot to which a thousand excellent horses were yoked. The front of this chariot was decorated with a beautiful, high-floating banner that bore a figure in the attire of an Arhat for its emblem. Moreover, its outer appearance was exceedingly brilliant, owing to the luster reflected by the manifold precious stones and jewels that adorned it and to the brightness that irradiated its flanks, which proceeded from the various sharp-pointed and well-disposed flaming weapons that were ready for use on both sides of the chariot. On the inside of the chariot, the Bodhisattva stood upon a fine white blanket. Without the Great Being was surrounded by a great divine host of Devas riding elephants, chariots, horses and on foot. Together they met the forces of the Asuras in battle on the borderline of the Ocean.
It was there that the destruction of the firmness of the timid took place as both shields and mail coats were pierced by the strokes of the weapons that had been assembled there. During the tumult of that struggle various cries were heard: "Stay! Not in this manner! Here! Look out! Where are you now? You will not escape me! Strike! You are a dead man!" So challenging one another they fought and their cries--mixing with the clashing and crashing of the arms all over the battlefield and the sound of the drums--made Heaven itself shake and nearly burst. The elephants on both sides rushed at each other infuriated by the smell of flowing blood, offering the frightful spectacle of mountains being swept along by a world-destroying wind. Like portentous clouds, the chariots swept over the field. Their floating standards resembled lightning and the rattling noises that they made was like the roaring of thunder. Sharp arrows flew over both armies, falling down amidst the fighting warriors and hitting banners and royal umbrellas, bows and spears, shields and cuirasses, and the heads of men. Frightened by the fiery weapons of the Asuras, the army of Sakra took to flight, leaving the Lord of the Celestials alone to hold the field, as he stood in his chariot to confront the host of enemies in the company of his charioteer Matali. |
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As they unleashed loud war cries and shouts of victory, the high spirited and overjoyed army of the Asuras bore down upon them. Perceiving the army of the Devas being almost intent on flight, Matali turned the chariot of the Ruler of the Devas. While they were making the ascent that would take them from the battle field on the border of the Ocean to Sakra's residence in heaven, the Lord of the Devas caught sight of some eagle nests perched in a silk cotton tree that was located directly in line with the chariot's pole. Realizing that these eagle nests would be crushed by their passage, the Bodhisattva, seized by compassion, spoke the following words to his charioteer: "The bird nests on this silk cotton tree are filled with not yet winged young ones. Drive my chariot in such a manner that these nests will not fall down and be crushed by the chariot pole." "In the meanwhile the crowds of the Asuras will overtake us, sir!" answered Matali. "Never mind," said Sakra. "Do you but take the proper care in avoiding these eagle nests." "Nothing short of turning the chariot can save the birds, O Lotus-eyed One," answered Matali. "But we have on our heels yon host of foes who after a long fight are at last getting the better of the Devas." At this moment, Sakra, the Lord of the Devas, moved by the utmost compassion, showed his extraordinary goodness of heart and firmness of intention. "Well then," Sakra said, "turn the chariot. Better is it for me to die by the terrible club-strokes of the chiefs of the Asuras than to live blameful and dishonored as the murderer of those poor terror-stricken creatures." Promising to do so, Matali turned the chariot drawn by a thousand horses. Now when Sakra's foes saw his chariot turn about, those who had earlier witnessed his heroism in battle were overtaken by fear and thrown into confusion. Their ranks gave way like dark rain-clouds that have been driven away by the wind. When facing defeat, if a single man turns his face to the enemy and bars the way, the unexpectedness of such an act of heroic valor will sometimes abate the pride and haughtiness of the victors. Spying from afar the broken ranks of their enemies, the host of the Devas was thereby encouraged to return to the field of battle, for they could clearly see that the terror-stricken, fleeing Asuras thought no more of rallying or resisting. Then the Devas, whose joy was mingled with shame, paid homage to their Lord; after which, brilliant and beautiful by the radiance of victory Sakra quietly returned from the battlefield to his city. It is for this reason that the saying goes: "The low-minded do wicked actions in consequence of their cruelty. Average men, though pitiful, will do so, when come into distress. But the virtuous, even when in danger of life, are as little capable of transgressing their proper line of conduct as the Ocean its boundary." In this way the Lord did long ago protect animal life even at the risk of his own as well as the risk of losing the Celestial sway. Keeping then in mind that it does not at all befit a wise man to offend living beings much less sin against them, a pious man must be intent on practicing compassion towards all creatures. Likewise, the saying that Dharma, in truth, watches him who walks in righteousness, is to be propounded here too. |
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