Jātaka Tales
Kalaṇḍuka-Jātaka
This verse is not included in this edition.
Kalaṇḍuka-Jātaka
“You vaunt.”—This story was told by the Master once at Jetavana, about a boastful Brother. (The introductory story and the story of the past in this case are like those of Katahaka related above.)
This verse is not included in this edition.
Kalanduka was in this case the name of the slave of the Treasurer of Benares. And when he had run away and was living in luxury with the daughter of the border-merchant, the Treasurer missed him and could not discover his whereabouts. So he sent a young pet parrot to search for the runaway. And off flew the parrot in quest of Kalanduka, and searched for him far and wide, till at last the bird came to the town where he dwelt. And just at that very time Kalanduka was enjoying himself on the river with his wife in a boat well-stocked with dainty fare and with flowers and perfumes. Now the nobles of that land at their water-parties make a point of taking milk with a pungent drug to drink, and so escape suffering from cold after their pastime on the water. But when our Kalanduka tasted this milk, he hawked and spat it out; and ‘in so doing spat on the head of the merchant’s daughter. At this moment up flew the parrot, and saw all this from the bough of a fig-tree on the bank. ‘Come, come, slave Kalanduka,” cried the bird; “remember who and what you are, and don’t spit on the head of this young gentlewoman. Know your place, fellow.” So saying, he uttered the following stanza:—
Kalaṇḍukajātaka
“Te desā tāni vatthūni, ahañca vanagocaro; Anuvicca kho taṁ gaṇheyyuṁ, piva khīraṁ kalaṇḍukā”ti.
You vaunt your high descent, your high degree, With lying tongue. Though but a bird, I know The truth. You'll soon be caught, you runaway. Scorn not the milk then, slave Kalanduka.
This verse is not included in this edition.
Recognizing the parrot, Kalanduka grew afraid of being exposed, and exclaimed, ‘“‘Ah! good master, when did you arrive”
This verse is not included in this edition.
Thought the parrot, ‘It is not friendliness, but a wish to wring my neck, that prompts this kindly interest.” So he replied that he did not stand in need of Kalanduka’s services, and flew off to Benares, where he told the Lord Treasurer everything he had seen.
This verse is not included in this edition.
“The rascal” cried the Treasurer, and ordered Kalanduka to be hauled back to Benares where he had once more to put up with a slave’s fare.
This verse is not included in this edition.
His lesson ended, the Master identified the Birth by saying, “This Brother was Kalanduka in the story, and I the Treasurer of Benares.”