Khuddaka Nikaya - Jataka - Dukanipata - Nakula Jataka

Jataka Vol. II: Book II. Dukanipāta: No. 165. Nakula-Jātaka



No. 165.
NAKULA-JĀTAKA.
"Creature, your egg-born enemy," etc.--This story the Master told during a
sojourn at Jetavana, about two officers who had a quarrel. The circumstances
have been given above in the Uraga Birth 1. Here, as before, the Master said,
"This is not the first time, Brethren, these two nobles have been reconciled by
me; in former times I reconciled them too." Then he told an old story.
_____________________________
Once on a time, when Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta was born in
a certain village as one of a brahmin family. When he came of age, [53] he was
educated at Takkasilā; then, renouncing the world he became a recluse,
cultivated the Faculties and the Attainments, and dwelt in the region of
Himalaya, living upon wild roots and fruits which he picked up in his goings to
and fro.
At the end of his cloistered walk lived a Mongoose in an ant-heap; and not far
off, a Snake lived in a hollow tree. These two, Snake and Mongoose, were
perpetually quarrelling. The Bodhisatta preached to them the misery of quarrels
and the blessing of peace, and reconciled the two together, saying, "You ought
to cease your quarrelling and live together at one."
When the Serpent was abroad, the Mongoose at the end of the walk lay with his
head out of the hole in his ant-hill, and his mouth open, and
p. 37
thus fell asleep, heavily drawing his breath in and out. The Bodhisatta saw him
sleeping there, and asking him, "Why, what are you afraid of?" repeated the
first stanza:
"Creature 1, your egg-born enemy a faithful friend is made:
Why sleep you there with teeth all bare? of what are you afraid?"
"Father," said the Mongoose, "never despise a former enemy, but always suspect
him ": and he repeated the second stanza:
"Never despise an enemy nor ever trust a friend:
A fear that springs from unfeared things uproots and makes an end."
[54] "Fear not," replied the Bodhisatta. "I have persuaded the Snake to do you
no harm; distrust him no more." With this advice, he proceeded to cultivate the
Four Excellences, and set his face toward Brahma's heaven. And the others too
passed away to fare hereafter according to their deeds.
_____________________________
Then this lesson ended, the Master identified the Birth: "The two noblemen were
at that time Snake and Mongoose, and I was myself the ascetic."



Footnotes
36:1 Above, No. 154.
37:1 Lit. 'O viviparous one.'



Next: No. 166. Upasāḷha-Jātaka