Jātaka Tales 393

This verse is not included in this edition.

Vighasa-Jataka

“Happy life is theirs,” etc.—The Master told this tale while dwelling in the East Garden, concerning some Brethren who were given to amusement. The great Moggallana had shaken their dwelling and alarmed them. The Brethren sat discussing their fault in the Hall of Truth. The Master being told this an eae old tale. ers, “They are not given to amusement for the first time,” and so told

This verse is not included in this edition.

Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was Sakka. Seven brothers in a certain village of Kasi seeing the evil of desires had renounced them and become ascetics: they dwelt in Mejjharafiia but lived in various kinds of amusement, not practising devotion diligently and being of full habit of body. Sakka, king of gods, said, “I will alarm them;” and so he became a parrot, came to their dwelling-place and perching on a tree spoke the first stanza to alarm them:—

Vighāsādajātaka

“Susukhaṁ vata jīvanti, ye janā vighāsādino; Diṭṭheva dhamme pāsaṁsā, samparāye ca suggatī”.

Happy life is theirs who live on remnants left from charity: Praise in this world is their lot, and in the next felicity.

This verse is not included in this edition.

Then one of them hearing the parrot’s words called to the rest, and spoke the second stanza:—

“Sukassa bhāsamānassa, na nisāmetha paṇḍitā; Idaṁ suṇātha sodariyā, amhevāyaṁ pasaṁsati”.

Should not wise men listen when a parrot speaks in human tongue: Hearken, brethren:’tis our praises clearly that this bird has sung.

This verse is not included in this edition.

Then the parrot denying this spoke the third stanza:—

“Nāhaṁ tumhe pasaṁsāmi, kuṇapādā suṇātha me; Ucchiṭṭhabhojino tumhe, na tumhe vighāsādino”.

Not your praises I am singing, carrion-eaters: list to me, Refuse is the food you eat, not remnants left from charity.

This verse is not included in this edition.

J. III. 13

This verse is not included in this edition.

When they heard him, they all together spoke the fourth stanza:—

“Sattavassā pabbajitā, mejjhāraññe sikhaṇḍino; Vighāseneva yāpentā, mayañce bhoto gārayhā; Ke nu bhoto pasaṁsiyā”.

Seven years ordained, with duly tonsured hair, In Mejjharafiia here we spend our days, Living on remnants: if you blame our fare, Who is it then you praise?

This verse is not included in this edition.

The Great Being spoke the fifth stanza, putting them to shame:—

“Tumhe sīhānaṁ byagghānaṁ, vāḷānañcāvasiṭṭhakaṁ; Ucchiṭṭheneva yāpentā, maññivho vighāsādino.

Leavings of the lion, tiger, ravening beast, are your supply: Refuse truly, though ye call it remnants left from charity.

This verse is not included in this edition.

Hearing him the ascetics said, “If we are not eaters of remnants, then who pray are” Then he telling them the true meaning spoke the sixth stanza:—

Ye brāhmaṇassa samaṇassa, aññassa vā vanibbino; Datvāva sesaṁ bhuñjanti, te janā vighāsādino”ti.

They who giving alms to priests and brahmins, wants to satisfy Eat the rest, tis they who live on remnants left from charity.

This verse is not included in this edition.

So the Bodhisatta put them to shame and went to his own place.

This verse is not included in this edition.

After the lesson, the Master declared the Truths and identified the Birth: “At that time the seven brothers were the sportive Brethren, Sakka was myself.”