1.
The Chapter on the Kukku
396.
The Kukku Birth Story (7-1-1)
1.
That siṃsapā tree, made of hardwood, without sapwood, standing where does it not fall from above.
2.
Well held together by them, pressed by force, standing evenly, from above it does not fall.
3.
Well supported, he does not fall from glory, like a pericap bearing the weight of the rafters.
4.
By removing it, he makes it sweet, O king; but removing only a thin layer would make it unpleasant.
5.
Acting in conformity with the Dhamma, proceeding thus, he would make prosperity, not harming another.
6.
Like a lotus opened by the fire-like sun, neither mud nor dust nor water clings to it.
7.
Such a one is not stained by defilement of action, just as a lotus arisen in ponds.
The Kukku Birth Story, the first.
397.
The Manoja Birth Story (7-1-2)
8.
Surely Manoja is being killed, the king of beasts, my friend.
9.
Such friends are not to be found, a friend can be obtained by me while living.
10.
See Manoja sleeping, this is the instruction of the mountain.
11.
See Manoja sleeping, submerged in his own blood.
12.
Whoever indeed does not heed the word of those who wish his welfare, who are intent upon his good.
13.
See the highest one associated with low people, the lord of beasts, swept away by the force of the excellent arrow.
14.
Approaching the excellent, one rises quickly, therefore one should associate with what is higher than oneself."
The Manoja Birth Story, the second.
398.
The Sutanu Birth Story (7-1-3)
15.
O deity dwelling in the Maghadeva tree, come out and eat.
16.
Both you, young man, and the almsfood will become food.
17.
People, perceiving death, will not bring you almsfood.
18.
And a man to bring you almsfood here, will be very difficult to obtain when I am eaten.
19.
You are approved by me, may you see your mother in safety."
20.
May your mother see you safe, and may you see your mother.
21.
And wealth has been obtained by me, and the king's word has been fulfilled.
The Sutanu Birth Story, the third.
399.
The Mother-Supporting Vulture Birth Story (7-1-4)
22.
I am bound by a snare, gone under the control of Nilīya.
23.
Never have I heard or seen a bird speaking human speech.
24.
What then will they do, if I have come under your control?
25.
Why do you not understand the net and the snare, even having encountered them?
26.
Then even having encountered the net and the snare, he does not understand.
27.
You are approved by me, may you see your relatives in safety.
28.
I shall support my mother and father, the seniors who dwell in mountain caves.
The Mother-Supporting Vulture Birth Story, the fourth.
400.
The Dabbha Flower Birth Story (7-1-5)
29.
A great fish has been caught by me, it carries me away with force."
30.
I will pull you out, like a supaṇṇa does a snake."
31.
Settle the quarrel, my dear, let the dispute be appeased.
32.
I settle the quarrel, my dear, let the dispute be appeased.
33.
This middle portion will be for the one established in righteousness.
34.
Headless and tailless, the jackal carries off the red fish.
35.
So I rejoice today, having seen my husband with a full face.
36.
Being asked by me, my dear, tell me, how was it obtained by you?
37.
The otters lost through contention, enjoy the red fish, deceitful one.
38.
They run to the righteous one, for he is their leader;
Wealth is also lost there, and the royal treasury increases.
The Dabbha Flower Birth Story, the fifth.
401.
The Paṇṇaka Birth Story (7-1-6)
39.
A person swallows it in the assembly, what is more difficult than that;
Whatever other difficult state there is, tell me this when asked.
40.
But whoever would say "I give", that is more difficult than that;
Every other state is easy to do, know this thus, O Gentle One.
41.
Now I ask Pukkusa, what is more difficult than that;
Whatever other difficult state there is, tell me this when asked.
42.
But whoever, having given, would scatter it away, that is more difficult than that;
Every other state is easy to do, know this thus, O Gentle One.
43.
Now I ask Senaka, what is more difficult than that;
Whatever other difficult state there is, tell me this when asked.
44.
But whoever, having given, would not feel remorse, that is more difficult than that;
Every other state is easy to do, know this thus, O Gentle One.
45.
He excels in all questions, as Senaka speaks.
The Paṇṇaka Birth Story, the sixth.
402.
The Flour Bag Birth Story (7-1-7)
46.
What have you lost, or what are you desiring, that you came here, Brahmā? Please tell me that.
47.
By this suffering I am trembling, tell me, Senaka, this matter.
48.
I think, brahmin, into your flour bag, a black snake has entered without your knowing.
49.
Cut off today the uncertainty and doubts, see the serpent, release the bellows.
50.
Then came out a snake of risen radiance, a venomous serpent, having spread its hood.
51.
Are you one with the covering removed, all-seeing? Is your knowledge, brahmin, of fearsome form?
52.
For by you my life was obtained today, and also you made safety for my wife.
53.
Let them give you wealth from here too, Brahmin, having taken it, go to your own abode.
The Flour Bag Birth Story, the seventh.
403.
The Aṭṭhisenaka Birth Story (7-1-8)
54.
They, having met me, request, why do you not request me?
55.
Therefore I do not request from you, may there be no aversion towards me.
56.
And deprives another of merit, and does not live himself.
57.
And enables another to obtain merit, and lives himself too.
58.
Practitioner of the holy life, you are dear to me, speak what you wish to say.
59.
Noble ones stand with a purpose, this is the request of noble ones.
60.
For how could a noble one not give to a noble one, having heard your verses connected with the teaching.
The Aṭṭhisenaka Birth Story, the eighth.
404.
The Monkey Birth Story (7-1-9)
61.
For one night or two nights, one who has enemies dwells in suffering.
62.
Because of one monkey, calamity was made for the troop.
63.
Having come under the control of his own mind, he would lie down like this monkey.
64.
He becomes harmful to relatives, like a decoy bird to birds.
65.
He becomes beneficial to relatives, like Vāsava to the deities.
66.
One practises for the welfare of both, of oneself and of the other.
67.
The wise one may look after a group, or also wander alone.
The Monkey Birth Story, the ninth.
405.
The Crane Birth Story (7-1-10)
68.
This is the final attainment of the supreme for one who has attained the highest knowledge, many people aspire to us."
69.
A hundred thousand nirabbudas, I understand your life span, O Brahmā."
70.
What is my former practice of asceticism and morality, tell me that, which I may understand.
71.
That is your former practice of asceticism and morality, I recollect as one awakened from sleep.
72.
That is your former practice of asceticism and morality, I recollect as one awakened from sleep.
73.
You released it by force, overpowering; that is your former practice of asceticism and morality;
I recollect as one awakened from sleep.
74.
That is your former practice of asceticism and morality, I recollect as one awakened from sleep.
75.
For thus your radiant power stands illuminating the Brahma world."
The Crane Birth Story, the tenth.
The Cock Chapter is first.
Its summary:
Again Paṇṇaka, Senaka, Yācanaka, then Veri, with Brahmabaka - ten.