Khuddaka Nikaya - Jataka - Ekanipata - Bahiya Jataka

Jataka Vol. I: Book I.--Ekanipāta: No. 108. Bāhiya-Jātaka



No. 108.
BĀHIYA-JĀTAKA.
"Learn thou betimes."--This story was told by the Master, while he was dwelling
in the Gabled Chamber at the Great Grove near Vesāli, about a Licchavi, a pious
prince who had embraced the Truth. He had invited the Brotherhood with the
Buddha at their head to his house, and there had shewn great bounty towards
them. Now his wife was a very fat woman, almost bloated in appearance, and she
was badly dressed.
Thanking the King for his hospitality, the Master returned to the monastery and,
after a discourse to the Brethren, retired to his perfumed chamber.
Assembled in the Hall of Truth, the Brethren expressed their surprise that a man
like this Licchavi prince should have such a fat badly-dressed woman for his
wife, and be so fond of her. Entering the Hall and hearing what they were
discussing, the Master said, "Brethren, as now, so in former times he was fond
of a fat woman." Then, at their request, he told this story of the past.
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[421] Once on a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta
was one of his courtiers. And a fat and badly-dressed country woman, who worked
for hire, was passing near the courtyard of the palace, when pressing need for
an occasion came upon her. Bending down with her raiment decently gathered round
her, she accomplished her purpose, and was erect again in a trice.
The King chanced to be looking out on to the courtyard through a window at the
time and saw this. Thought he, "A woman who could manage this with so much
decency must enjoy good health. She would be sure to be cleanly in her house;
and a son born into a cleanly house would be sure to grow up cleanly and
virtuous. I will make her my queen-consort." And accordingly the King, first
assuring himself that she
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was not another's, sent for her and made her his queen. And she became very near
and dear to him. Not long afterwards a son was born, and this son became an
Universal Monarch.
Observing her fortunes, the Bodhisatta took occasion to say to the King, "Sire,
why should not care be taken duly to fulfil all proper observances, when this
excellent woman by her modesty and decency in relieving nature won your
majesty's favour and rose to such fortune?" And he went on to utter this
stanza:--
Learn thou betimes, though headstrong folk there be;
The rustic pleased the King by modesty.
Thus did the Great Being commend the virtues of those who devoted themselves to
the study of proper observances.
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[422] His story ended, the Master identified the Birth by saying, "The husband
and wife of to-day were also the husband and wife of those times, and I the wise
courtier."



Next: No. 109. Kuṇḍakapūva-Jātaka