XXV. The Story of  the Sarabha  - SE Quadrant, Upper Register, Reliefs 89 - 93

THE JATAKAMALA
Table of Contents:

The Tigress
The King of the Sibis
Small Portion of Gruel
Head of a Guild
The Invincible One
The Hare
The Sage Agastya
Maitribala
Prince Visvantara
The Sacrifice
Lord of the Devas
The Brahman
Unmadayanti
Suparaga
Lord of Fishes
The Quail's Young
The Story of the Jar
The Childless One
The Lotus Stalks
The Treasurer
Kuddabodhi
The Holy Swan
Mahabodhi
The Great Ape
Sarabha
The Ruru Deer
The Monkey Chief
Kshantivadin
The Brahmaloka Inhabitant
The Elephant
Sutasoma
Ayogriha
The Buffalo
The Woodpecker

Adapted from the 19th century translation by J. S Speyer

"Meritorious actions are instruments of happiness and glory; gather them by bestowing munificent gifts.
Their distribution at the right time and in a respectful manner, ever acts to enhance their charm.
Observe moral conduct, the right laws of which
one learns through intercourse with virtuous people;
and make your disposition towards all creatures
as well-wishing as what you would desire to obtain for yourself."

Those who attempt to bestow intensely compassionate pity upon individuals in the throes of distress can never disregard the infliction of such people. This will be taught in the following.

One time, it is said, the Bodhisattva was a fabulous sarabha, that is, a deer that is strong enough to be a match for even lions and elephants. He lived in a remote part of a forest beyond the path and the noise of men that served as a dwelling-place for various tribes of forest animals. Its many roots, trees, and shrubs were immersed in the thick and high grass which covered its soil, which was intersected with channels and full of ant-hills and holes. This was a land untrodden by travelers, showing nowhere any trace of vehicles or carriages, the tracks of which would have beaten down something like a road or a borderline.

Bearing the shape of a forest-animal, but possessing the intellectual faculties of a man, he lived in that solitary wilderness, showing, like an ascetic, mercy to all living beings. And like a yogin, he contented himself by subsisting only on grasses, leaves and water.

His body, which was endowed with strength, vigor, and swiftness, was  distinguished by the beautiful color of its skin. As he was addicted to the practice of showing compassion, he cherished friendly feelings towards all the animals. Pleased with his residence in the forest and possessing the virtue of contentment, And so he adorned that remote part of the forest, as if he were a yogin who longed for complete detachment.

Now one day the king of that country came near the Bodhisattva's home in the forest. While mounted on his excellent horse, the monarch held a bent bow and arrow in his hand. Being eager to trial his own skill of arms on the game, he pursued the deer with great speed, thereby indulging in the excitement of the chase. Carried away by his horse, which was an animal of extraordinary swiftness, he soon became separated by no small distance from his retinue of elephants, horse, chariots, and footmen.

As soon as he saw the Great Being from afar, he resolved to kill him. As he readied his bow by stringing a sharp arrow, he spurred his horse to chase after the High-minded One. But as soon as the Bodhisattva perceived the king's assault on horseback, he took to flight with the utmost swiftness. Although the Bodhisattva was fully capable of standing his ground and fighting his aggressor, he refrained from such actions due to the fact that he had vowed to forego committing acts of violence or acting out of anger.

While the king pursued him, the Bodhisattva encountered a large hole on the way. He quickly jumped over the large hole as if it were merely a small puddle and continued his flight to freedom. But when the king's swift-running horse encountered the same hole, it refused to risk the leap and of a sudden stood still, which caused the king to loose his balance and fall headlong into the large hole as if he were a Daitya warrior sinking into the Ocean

Noticing that the sound of the trampling of hoofs had ceased, the Bodhisattva wondered whether that king had perhaps turned back. Turning his head and looking behind, he saw the king's horse, now riderless, standing on the brink of that chasm.

"No doubt, the king must have fallen into this chasm," though the Bodhisattva. "No tree is there to spread its thick foliage, the sheltering shade of which might have invited that monarch to pause, sit down and rest. Nor is there any lake nearby that might be deemed suitable for bathing with water that is as blue and as pure as a petal of a blue lotus. Furthermore it is not likely that the king has dismounted and left his excellent horse there in order to have a rest or continue hunting on foot. As there is no other place in the jungle nearby where he might be hiding, surely that king must have fallen into the hole."

After he had convinced himself of the king's precarious situation, the High-minded One felt the utmost commiseration for the one who had been in hot pursuit of his very life.

"This monarch has formerly possessed all the enjoyments of royalty, with crowds of people revering him with clasped hands as if he were the Lord of the Devas. Furthermore he has been Accompaning that monarch to the forest is an army full of chariots, horsemen, footmen, and elephants. Adorned with gay banners and glittering in their armor and weapons they marched here to the brisk tones of music. That king's head was also sheltered by the lovely umbrella, and the chowries fanning him made a beautiful effect with the shine of their jeweled handles.

"But at this very moment that king must be lying that large chasm. The shock of his fall must have broken his bones. There he lies, perhaps swooning or pining away with sorrow. Alas! To what a distressful end has he come!

"Common people, whose minds have grown callous to suffering are not so much afflicted by their sorrows. But when calamities visit men of high rank it plunges into grief the hearts of those who are something accustomed to lives of great delicacy. He will never be able to escape from thence by himself. If life still remains in his body then it would not be right for me to simply abandon him to his fate."

Impelled by his great compassion, the High-minded One went to the brink of the precipice and perceived the struggling monarch. His armor, which was covered with dust, had lost its splendor and his diadem and garments were utterly disarranged. The pain of the fall had also afflicted the king's mind, plunging him into a state of despondency.

Having seen the king in such a wretched condition, the Bodhisattva forgot that the monarch was his enemy. Affected with pity, tears welled up in his eyes and he felt a pain that was equal to what that king was currently experiencing.

Addressing that monarch with modest, kind and respectful language, the Bodhisattva manifested his innate pious disposition by comforting the king uttering words in a distinct and lovely-sounding voice.

"I hope that you have received no hurt, Your Majesty, coming into this hell-resembling chasm. You have broken no limb, I hope? Do your pains grow less already? I am no goblin, 0 most distinguished of men, I am a forest-animal living within your realm who has been reared upon your grass and water. So you may therefore place your utmost confidence in me. Do not despond, then, because of your fall for I have the power to rescue you. If you think me trustworthy, then quickly command and I shall come and save you."

The animal's marvelous speech aroused first the king's admiration. Then shame arose within that monarch's mind, which caused him to begin, in truth, to reflect in the following manner:

"How is it possible that this animal shows pity towards his enemy, of whose prowess he perceived himself to be the goal? Furthermore, how could I have acted so unbecomingly to the detriment of such an innocent one? Oh! How he confounds me through the sharp reproach of his softness! It is I who am the brutish animal, not he. This wonderful being merely bears the shape of a sarabha. In truth he deserves to be honored, which I shall now do by accepting his friendly offer."

Having thus made up his mind, the king spoke: "My armor-covered body has not been too heavily injured, and the pain of my fall is at least bearable. Yet, the grievances do not torment me so much as my offense against a such a pure-hearted and holy being as you. Relying on your outward shape alone I mistook you for a forest-animal. Pray forgive my failure to perceive your true nature."

Inferring from the king's friendly words of the king that the monarch had agreed to his proposal, the sarabha exercised with the object of rescuing him by bearing on his back a stone that was equal to the weight of a man. Having learnt the extent of his strength, he jumped down into the hole. Then drawing near to the king, the bodhisattva spoke the following words in a respectful tone: "Pray, put up for a while with the necessity of touching this body of mine, so that I may obtain my own happiness by bringing contentment and joy back to your face. Now mount upon my back, Your Majesty, and cling fast to me."

After declaring his approval, the king mounted the sarabha's back as if it were a horse. Then, with the king on his back, the Bodhisattva climbed aloft with surpassing vigor and swiftness. As he held the forepart of his body high, he resembled a stone-elephant rising in the air, the the images that are commonly represented on doorway arches.

After carrying the king to safety and taking him to rejoin his horse, the Bodhisattva was much rejoiced. Then after telling that monarch the way to his own capital, the Bodhisattva prepared to retire to the forest. The king, however, embraced the sarabha affectionately out of gratitude for a kind service that had been so modestly rendered.

The king said: "This life of mine is at your disposal, 0 sarabha. It is, therefore, unnecessary for me to add that you must consider as your property all that is within my power to give. Pray afford me the pleasure of visiting my capital, and if you like it, to take up residence there.

"Is it unbecoming for me to set out for home alone, leaving you in a dreadful place that is haunted by hunters and where you art exposed to suffering because of cold, heat, rain, and other calamities. Well then, let us go together."

Eulogizing the king in modest, soft and respectful terms, the Bodhisattva answered with these words: "For those like you who love virtues, 0 most excellent of men, such behavior is most proper. For virtues, when constantly practiced by pious persons, turn out to be an essential part of their very nature. But pray do not think that such a one as I who am accustomed to the forest life might be favored by taking up residence at your own home. Of one kind is the pleasure of men, of another is that of the forest-animals who find their comfort in conforming to the habits of their own kind.

"If, however, you wish to do something pleasant for me, then desist from hunting, 0 hero, for the poor beasts of the forest, being brute and dull of intellect, are worth pitying for this very reason. With respect to the pursuit of happiness and the removal of mischief, the animals, you should know, are subject to the same feelings as men. Keeping this in mind, deem it improper to do to others what would be a cause of displeasure, if done to yourself.

"Understanding that evil deeds entail the loss of reputation, receive the censure of the virtuous, and lead to suffering, you must strive to extirpate the evil within you by considering it to be your adversary. It never becomes you to overlook this, no more than it would for you to overlook illness.

"It is through the pursuit of meritorious actions that you have obtained that royal dignity which is the abode of bliss so highly esteemed by men. That very store of merit you must enlarge by not enfeebling the ranks of the benefactors.

"Meritorious actions are instruments of happiness and glory; gather them by bestowing munificent gifts. Their distribution at the right time and in a respectful manner, ever acts to enhance their charm. Observe moral conduct, the right laws of which one learns through intercourse with virtuous people;
and make your disposition towards all creatures as well-wishing as what you would desire to obtain for yourself."

In this manner the High-minded One favored the king, firmly establishing him the proper attitude regarding all matters relating to one's future life. And the king accepted his words. And after the king had accepted these word, the bodhisattva re-entered his forest dwelling-place as the king looked on respectfully.

In this manner the intensely compassionate show pity even to those who make an attempt on their life. For even when their enemies are in distress; the compassionate will never disregard them.

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