Jataka Vol. II: Book II. Dukanipāta: No. 172. Daddara-Jātaka
No. 172.
DADDARA-JĀTAKA 1.
"Who is it with a mighty cry, etc."--This is a story which the Master told at
Jetavana about one Kokālika. At this time we hear that there were a number of
very learned Brethren in the district of Manosilā, who spoke out like young
lions, loud enough to bring down the heavenly Ganges 2, [66] while reciting
passages of scripture before the Community. As they recited their texts,
Kokālika (not knowing what an empty fool he showed himself) thought he would
like to do the same. So he went about among the Brethren, not however taking the
Name upon him, but saying, "They don't ask me to recite a piece of scripture. If
p. 46
they were to ask me, I would do it." All the Community got to know of it and
they thought they would try him. "Friend Kokālika," said they, "give the
Community a recital of some scriptures to-day." To this he agreed, not knowing
his folly; that day he would recite before the Community.
He first partook of gruel made to his liking, ate some food, and had some of his
favourite soup. At sundown the gong sounded for sermon time; all the community
gathered together. The 'yellow robe' which he put on was blue as a bluebell; his
outer robe was pure white. Thus clad, he entered the meeting, greeted the
Elders, stepped up to a Preaching Seat under a grand jewelled pavilion, holding
an elegantly carved fan, and sat down, ready to begin his recitation. But just
at that moment beads of sweat began to start out all over him, and he felt
ashamed. The first verse of the first stanza he repeated; but what came next he
could not think. So rising from the seat in confusion, he passed out through the
meeting, and sought his own cell. Some one else, a real scholar, recited the
Scripture. After that all the Brethren knew how empty he was.
One day the Brethren fell a talking of it in the Hall of Truth: "Friend, it was
not easy to see formerly how empty Kokālika is; but now he has given tongue of
his own accord, and shown it." The Master entered, and asked what they were
discussing together. They told him. He said--"Brethren, this is not the first
time Kokālika has betrayed himself by his voice; the very same thing happened
before;" and then he told them an old-world tale.
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Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was
born as a young Lion, [67] and was the king of many lions. With a suite of lions
he dwelt in Silver Cave. Near by was a Jackal, living in another cave.
One day, after a shower of rain, all the Lions were together at the entrance of
their leader's cave, roaring loudly and gambolling about as lions use. As they
were thus roaring and playing, the Jackal too lifted up his voice. "Here's this
Jackal, giving tongue along with us!" said the Lions; they felt ashamed, and
were silent. When they all fell silent, the Bodhisatta's cub asked him this
question. "Father, all these Lions that were roaring and playing about have
fallen silent for very shame on hearing yon creature. What creature is it that
betrays itself thus by its voice?" and he repeated the first stanza:
"Who is it with a mighty cry makes Daddara resound?
Who is it, Lord of Beasts? and why has he no welcome found?"
At his son's words the old Lion repeated the second stanza:
"The Jackal, of all beasts most vile, ’tis he that makes that sound:
The Lions loathe his baseness, while they sit in silence round."
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"Brethren," the Master added, "’tis not the first time Kokālika has betrayed
himself by his voice; it was just the same before;" and bringing his discourse
to an end, he identified the Birth: "At that time Kokālika was the Jackal,
Rāhula was the young lion, and I was myself the Lion king."
Footnotes
45:1 Fausbøll, Five Jātakas, p. 45 (not translated); below, Nos. 188 and 189.
45:2 The Milky Way. See the Introd. Story to No. 1, above.
Next: No. 173. Makkaṭa-Jātaka
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