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

"Because of his own tranquillity,
the merciful man does not arouse apprehension in others.
Owing to his kindly nature, everyone regards him to be trustworthy
as if he were their own kinsman.
The agitation of passion can never seize the heart
of one who remains firmly committed to merciful conduct,
nor can the fires of anger ever blaze within the mind
that retains the joyfulness of a cool forest stream."

To the virtuous no suffering exists but that of others. It is this they cannot bear, not their own suffering, as will be taught by the following.

One time the Bodhisattva, it is said, lived in the forest as a Ruru-deer. He had his residence in a remote part of a large wilderness, far from the paths of men and overgrown with a rich, manifold vegetation: trees and shrubs encumbered by thickets, kuva-grass, bamboo and reeds. And the outstretched branches of many trees were covered as if by a veil with the tendrils of manifold creeping plants. It was also the abode of a great many forest-animals: deer, yaks, elephants, gavaya-oxen, buffaloes, antelopes, boars, panthers, hyenas, tigers, wolves, lions, bears, and others.

Among them was a Ruru-deer that was conspicuous due to the brilliant hue of its fine coat, which was like pure gold. Moreover, the very soft hair of his body was adorned and resplendent with spots of different lovely colors that shone like rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and beryls. With his large blue eyes of incomparable mildness and brightness, with his horns and hoofs endowed with a soft splendor as if they were made of precious stones, that Ruru-deer of surpassing beauty had the appearance of a moving treasury of jewels.

Knowing that his body was a much desirable object and being aware of the pitiless nature of man, he preferred to frequent such forest-tracks as were free from human intercourse. In consequence of his keen intellect, he was also careful to avoid such places as were unsafe due to the artifices of huntsmen: their traps, nets, snares, holes, and lime-twigs, as well as the seeds and other food they strew down as bait. Moreover, he warned the animals who followed after him to avoid these places, exercising his rule over them just as a teacher or a father would. Where on earth will people--longing for happiness-- not honor such a combination of paramount beauty and intelligence, which was hallowed by accomplished good actions?

Now once upon a time it happened that the High-minded One, residing in that wild part of the forest, heard some man utter cries for help as he was being carried away by the current of a rapid stream flowing nearby, which the rains had caused to swell in both size and fury.

"The rapid and swollen stream carries me away, and there is nobody to help, no vessel to take me," cried that man. "Come to me, pitiful people; come quickly to rescue the wretch. My arms, which are exhausted by fatigue, are no longer able to keep my body above the water and nowhere can I find a ford. Help me then and soon, for there is no time to lose."

These piteous cries of distress struck the Bodhisattva, and as if his own heart had been wounded by them, he rushed out of the thicket, exclaiming those comforting words he had been wont to use in hundreds of previous existences, through which he had previously banished fear, grief, sadness, and fatigue. "Do not fear! Do not fear!" he cried out repeatedly and loudly in a plain human voice.

And coming out of the forest he saw from afar that man, who was being carried towards the Bodhisattva by the stream as if he were a precious present. Then, resolved upon rescuing that man and without minding the risk of his own life, the Great Being entered the river rapids as if he were a brave warrior who was engaged in disturbing a hostile army.

Placing himself across that man's way, the Bodhisattva instructed the wretched being to cling fast to him. And so that exhausted man, although lost in the paroxysm of fear and with his limbs nearing the limit of their powers, climbed aboard the Bodhisattva's back.

Although he now carried that man upon his back and had been forced out of his way by the violence of the current, the paramount excellence of the Bodhisattva's nature enabled him to keep his great vigor intact, and so he was eventually able to reach the riverbank, a destination that accorded with that man's most fervent wish.

Having brought the man to the riverside and having dispelled his weariness and pain, the Bodhisattva rejoiced. Then was he warmed that man's cold limbs with the warmth of his own body, he said "Go," while he showing that man the way.

The Bodhisattva's marvelous propensity for affording succor, such as is unparalleled in affectionate relations and friends, touched that man to the quick. In addition, the beautiful shape of the Ruru-deer acted to arouse both his admiration and respect. Bowing his head to the Great Being, the man addressed him with these kind words:

"No friend from childhood nor kinsman has ever performed such a deed as you have performed for me. This life of mine, therefore, is yours. If it were to be spent for some matter of your interest, however small, I would esteem myself highly favored. Why, procure me that favor by ordering me to do something for you, in whatever respect your Honor thinks me fit for employment."

In reply to this the Bodhisattva said approvingly: "When encountered in a gentleman, gratitude is not at all to be wondered at. For this quality proceeds from the gentleman's very nature. But seeing the corruptness of the world, even gratitude is nowadays reckoned among the virtues. For this reason, I tell you this. Let your grateful disposition not induce you to relate to anybody that you were rescued by such an extraordinary animal. My beautiful figure makes me too desirable a prey. For, as a rule, the hearts of men, owing to their great covetousness, possess little mercy or self-restraint.

"Therefore, take care to guard both your own good properties and my own for a treacherous behavior towards a friend never tends to bliss. Furthermore, do not allow anger to trouble your mind because I speak so to you. I am but a deer, unskilled in the deceitful politeness of men. It is the fault of such people as are clever in fallacy and who possess the talent of assuming a show of feigned honesty that even those whose honesty is sincere are looked upon with suspicion. So then, you will please me by doing as I have asked?"

After promising to he do so, and after bowing to the Great Being and circumambulating him, that grateful man set out for his home.

Now at that time there lived in that country a queen of some king who continually experienced that whatever extraordinary dream she dreamt would be thereafter realized. One time while she lie fast asleep, she dreamed that she saw a Ruru-deer of resplendent brilliancy, shining like a heap of jewels of every kind. While standing upon a throne that was surrounded by the king and his assembly, that Ruru-deer preached the Law in an articulate and distinct human voice.

Affected with astonishment, she was awakened by the beating of that drums that the king's attendants were accustomed to use to arouse her husband from sleep. And immediately went see the king, who kindly received her not only with the honor she justly deserved but also with solicitous affection. Then with her bright eyes enlarged with astonishment and with her lovely cheeks trembling from gladness, she presented her lord and husband with a complete account of that marvelous dream as if it were a gift of homage.

After recounting her wonderful dream to the king, she added this earnest request: "Therefore, my lord, pray endeavor to obtain that fabulous jewel deer, which would adorn your zenana in the same way that the night sky is resplendent with the Deer-asterism (Mrgashirsa, which corresponds with the "head" of the western constellation of Orion).

Having through many previous experiences learned to trust the queen's visionary dreams, the king readily agreed to comply with her desire, partly so that he might do something that would be agreeable to her, and partly because he himself wished to obtain that jewel-deer for himself. So he ordered all his huntsmen to search out that wondrous deer, and had the following proclamation made public in his capital day after day:

"There exists a deer gold-skinned deer that is spotted with various colors that shine like hundreds of jewels. It has been celebrated in the holy texts and some have even glimpsed the sight of it. Whosoever will show that deer to the king will be given a very rich village together with ten lovely women."

Now that poor man who the Bodhisattva had previously rescued from the stream heard this proclamation repeated over and over again and again, he reflected upon the sufferings of poverty that afflicted his heart. On the other hand, however, he remembered the great benefit that he had received from the Ruru-deer as well as his own promise of discretion. While so distracted by both cupidity and gratitude, his thinking alternated between these two modes as if it were a swing.

"What, then, shall I do now? Shall I have regard to Virtue or Wealth? Shall I keep my promise to my benefactor or dutifully act to sustain my own family? Which existence should I esteem most highly, the other world or this? Which must I follow, the conduct of the pious or that of the world? Shall I strive after riches or seek such good as is cherished by the virtuous? Shall I keep in mind the present time or pay heed the time hereafter?"

By and by his mind, settling upon covetousness, came to the following conclusion: "If I obtain great wealth the riches that I shall gain will not only afford me the pleasures of this world, but also afford me happiness in the other world, for those riches will provide the means whereby I might honor kinsmen, friends, guests and mendicants."

Having so resolved he put out of his mind the benefits that the Ruru-deer had afforded him. Then he went up to the king and said: "I, Your Majesty, know of that excellent deer and his dwelling-place. Pray, tell me, to whom I shall show the way?"

On hearing this new, the king rejoiced and said: "Well, friend, show me the way. And so after donning his hunting-dress, the king left his capital in the company of a large army detachment.

With that man As a guide the king journeyed to the aforesaid riverside. Then after commanding his forces to encircle the adjoining forest, the king entered that wilderness bearing his bow and wearing his finger-guard. Surrounded by a select number of resolute and faithful men, the king entered the thicket while accompanied by his guide. Upon discovering the forest home of that Ruru-deer, the guide said to the king: "Here, here is that precious deer, Your Majesty. Deign to look upon him but be careful."

So saying that man eagerly raised his arm in order to point at the deer. But when he did so his hand fell down off his arm as if it had been cut off with a sword. Indeed, when directed at such objects hallowed by their extraordinary performances, one's evil actions come immediately to ripeness when such acts are of consequence and one's storehouse of goodness is too little to counterbalance them.

Then the king, curious to get the sight of that wondrous Ruru-deer, let his own eyes pass along the way. And in the midst of that wood, which was as dark as clouds newly formed, he perceived a body shining with the luster of a treasury of jewels in the same manner as the fire of lightning appears out of the womb of the cloud. Charmed by the beauty of the deer's figure, the king--desirous of catching him--immediately bent his bow, made the arrow bite its string and attempted to approach his target so that he might have a better chance of hitting it.

Upon hearing the noise of men approaching from every side, the Bodhisattva realized that he must be surrounded. Then perceiving the king's approach with bow and arm ready, he understood that there was no prospect of escape. So he addressed the king in a human voice that was both distinct and articulate:

"Stop a moment, O mighty prince, do not hit me, hero among men! Pray, first satisfy my curiosity, and tell me this. Who has revealed my abode to you, which is far from the paths of men? Who has said that such a deer as I is dwelling in this thicket?"

Touched by the deer's wonderful human voice and taking still more interest in him, the king gestured towards his unfortunate guide with the point of his arrow. "This is the man who has disclosed your extremely marvelous person to us."

Recognizing that man, the Bodhisattva spoke disapprovingly: "Fie upon him! There is a saying, in truth, that goes like this: 'Better is it to take a log out of the water than to save an ungrateful person from it.' In this manner he returns who by my own exertion was once saved from a terrible plight! In now betraying my truth how is it that he could not see that he was also destroying his own happiness?"

Now the king, being curious to know the meaning of this reproach, vividly said to the Ruru-deer: "Although I do not catch the meaning of your obscure words nor do I to whom you are referring, my mind is now alarmed. Therefore, tell me, O wonderful deer, who is he on whose account you speak so? Is it a man or a spirit, a bird or perhaps a forest-animal?"

The Bodhisattva spoke: "I did not utter these words in order to blame anyone, 0 king, but rather to make evident a blame-deserving action. I spoke those sharp words in order to prevent a man from ever attempting to do such a thing once more. For who could enjoy employing harsh language for speaking with those who have committed a sin. Who would ever desire to strew, so to speak, salt upon the wounds of their fault? Yet even with regard to his own beloved son a physician is obliged to apply such medical treatment as is made necessary by his offspring's illness.

"He whom I--moved by pity--rescued when he was about to carried off by the river's current, is that very man who caused this danger to arise for me now, 0 best of men. For indeed it is true that intercourse with wicked people does not ever tend to bliss."

Then as he gave that man a stern look that was expressive of harsh reproach, the king asked him the following question: "Oh, in truth, were you rescued before from such a distress by this deer?"

Pale and perspiring with fear, sorrow, and dejection, the man answered in a low tone of shame: "Yes, I was."

"Fie upon you!" exclaimed the king. As he placed an arrow on the bowstring, he continued: "Do not think this to be a mere trifling matter! A heart such as yours, not even softened by such exemplary exertions, is a vile example of one's fellow-creatures and brings them into dishonor. Why should this lowest of men live any longer?"

Then the king grasped his bow in the middle and prepared to take aim at that man. But overpowered by his great compassion, the Bodhisattva placed himself between the two men and said:

"Stop, Your Majesty, stop! Do not strike one already stricken! At the very moment that this man listened to the culpable enticement of his enemy Cupidity, he was surely ruined, both in this world due to the loss of his good name, as well as in the next since his righteousness had thus been destroyed. Yea, this is the way that the soundness of a man's mind fades away in consequence of unbearable sufferings. This is how men ever fall into calamities through the allure of the prospect of rich profit. They act in the same way that foolish moths are attracted by the shining of a light.

"It would be better for you to pity that man and restrain your wrath. And if he wanted to obtain wealth by so acting, let not his rash deed lack such a reward. For lo, I am standing here with bent head awaiting upon your orders."

The Bodhisattva's merciful and sincere desire to reward even the very man who had betrayed his trust utterly surprised the king and converted his heart. Looking up at the Ruru-deer with veneration, he exclaimed: "Well said, well said, holy being! Verily, showing such mercy to he whose cruel offense against you has become evident, you reveal yourself to be a human being by such properties, for we who consider ourselves to be human merely bear but the shape of men.

"Since you deem this knave worth commiseration, and since he has been the cause of my seeing your virtuous person, I shall give him the wealth that he coveted. Furthermore, you have my permission to go freely in this kingdom wherever it may please you."

"I accept this royal boon, O illustrious king, which is not given in vain," replied the Ruru-deer. "Therefore, deign to give me your orders so that our meeting here may afford you some profit and that I may prove to be of some use to you."

In response the king made the Ruru-deer mount his royal chariot. Worshipping him like a teacher, that monarch led the Great Being with great pomp to his capital. And after having given him the proper reception due to a guest, the king and invited the Ruru-deer to place himself on the royal throne. Then the king, his wives and the whole retinue of his officers exhorted the Great being to preach the Law. Raising his eyes to the Ruru-deer and bearing a kind expression of gladness mixed with reverence, the king entreated him in this manner: "There is a great diversity of opinions among men concerning the Law, but you possesses certainty about its proper application. Deign, therefore, to preach it to us."

And so the Bodhisattva raised his voice and preached the Law to the king and his royal assembly in soft-toned words that were both distinctly spoken and elegantly composed: "With regards to the Law, together with the manifold performances that depend on it and with regards to its distinct subdivisions of abstaining from injuring others, as well as abstaining from theft, falsehood, and the like. This, I believe, is a brief summary: 'Be merciful to all creatures.'

"Look here, O illustrious prince. If bestowing mercy on all creatures should make men regard them as they would themselves or their own family, whose heart would ever cherish the baleful desire for wickedness? With regards to men, a lack of mercy is the cause of the greatest disturbance. It corrupts their their minds, words and bodies no less with respect to their own families than it does with respect to strangers. For this reason, he who strives for Righteousness ought to endeavor to be ever merciful, which ever yield rich profits. Mercy, indeed, engenders virtues, just as a fructifying rain makes crops grow.

"When mercy possesses a man's mind, it destroys all passion for injuring one's neighbor. Such a man's mind, being pure, will not ever allow his speech no his body to become perverted. The love that one expresses by cherishing the good of one's neighbor is the source of the virtues of charity, forbearance, and so on, which are not only followed by gladness of mind but also conducive to one's good reputation.

"Because of his own tranquillity, the merciful man does not arouse apprehension in others. Owing to his kindly nature, everyone regards him to be trustworthy as if he were their own kinsman. The agitation of passion can never seize the heart of one who remains firmly committed to merciful conduct,
nor can the fires of anger ever blaze within the mind that retains the joyfulness of a cool forest stream."

"But why use so many words? The wise firmly believe that in mercy the whole of Righteousness is contained, for what good exists that is not ultimately a consequence of it? Keeping this in mind, be ever intent on fortifying mercy and take care to bestow it on all the people. Hold them close to your heart as if they were your son, indeed as if they were your own self. Thus winning through pious conduct the very hearts of the people, may you ever glorify your royal station!"

The king then praised the Ruru-deer's words and, together with his townsmen and landsmen, became intent on following the Law of Righteousness. In addition, the king granted security to all the quadrupeds and birds.

For the virtuous, no suffering exists but that of others. It is this they cannot bear, not their own suffering. This story is to be told when discoursing on compassion, and may be adduced when treating of the high-mindedness of the virtuous, as well as when censuring the mischievous.

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