Page:Buddhist Birth Stories, or, Jātaka Tales.djvu/337

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No. 16.

TIPALLATTHA-MIGA JĀTAKA.

The Cunning Deer.


"I've taught the deer in posture skilled." — This the Master told when at the Badarika monastery in Kosambi, about his son Rāhula, who was over-anxious to observe the Rules of the Order.[1]


Once upon a time there was a king of Magadha reigning in Rājagaha. At that time the Bodisat came to life as a stag, and lived in the forest, attended by a herd of deer.

Now his sister brought her son to him, saying, "Brother! instruct this thy nephew in the devices of the deer."

"Very well," said the Bodisat, in assent, and directed his nephew, "Go away now, dear, and on your return at such and such a time you may receive instruction."

And he failed not at the time appointed by his uncle, but went to him and received instruction.

One day as he was wandering about in the wood, he was caught in a snare. And he uttered a cry — the cry

  1. This amusing Introductory Story will scarcely bear translating.