4. The Chapter on the Cuckoo

331. The Birth Story of Kokila (4-4-1)

121.

He who indeed, when the time has not arrived, speaks for too long a time;

Thus he lies slain, like the offspring of a cuckoo.

122.

For neither a well-sharpened knife, nor poison like deadly venom,

Fells one so quickly, as does speech that is badly spoken.

123.

Therefore at the proper time or improper time, a wise person should guard speech;

One should not speak excessively, even with one equal to oneself.

124.

And whoever speaks measuredly at the proper time, with wisdom foremost, discerning;

He seizes all enemies, like a supaṇṇa does snakes.

The Birth Story of Kokila is the first.

332. The Birth Story of Rathalaṭṭhi (4-4-2)

125.

Even having killed, he says "I was struck", having conquered, he says "I was conquered";

O king, surely do not believe one who speaks first.

126.

Therefore one of wise birth should listen to the other also;

Having heard the word of both, one should act according to the principle.

127.

A lazy householder enjoying sensual pleasures is not good, an unrestrained one gone forth is not good;

A king not acting considerately is not good, whoever is a wise one prone to wrath, that is not good.

128.

A warrior should act considerately, a lord of the land not inconsiderately;

For a king who acts considerately, fame and renown increase.

The Birth Story of Rathalaṭṭhi is the second.

333. The Birth Story of the Pakkagodha (4-4-3)

129.

At that very time you were known to me, O bull among charioteers, in the midst of the forest;

When you, with sword bound on, armoured, wearing bark garments;

From a branch of the holy fig tree, the cooked iguana fled.

130.

One should bow to one who bows, associate with one who associates, one should do the function for one who reciprocates the function;

One should not do good for one who does not wish one's welfare, one should not associate with one who does not associate.

131.

One should abandon the one who abandons, one should not create craving, one should not associate with one whose mind has departed;

A bird, having known a tree to be without fruit, should look for another, for the world is vast.

132.

I will do for you according to my ability, seeing gratitude, O warrior;

And I give you all sovereignty, to whomever you wish, you may give it.

The Birth Story of Pakkagodha is the third.

334. The Birth Story of Rājovāda (4-4-4)

133.

When cattle are crossing, if the bull goes crookedly;

All of them go crookedly, when the leader has gone crookedly.

134.

Just so among human beings, whoever is considered the best;

If he practises what is not the Teaching, how much more the other generation;

The whole country sleeps in suffering, if the king is not righteous.

135.

When cattle are crossing, if the bull goes straight;

All the cows go straight, when the leader has gone straight.

136.

Just so among human beings, whoever is considered the best;

If he practises the Teaching, how much more the other generation;

The whole country sleeps in happiness, if the king is righteous.

The Birth Story of Rājovāda is the fourth.

335. The Birth Story of Jambuka (4-4-5)

137.

He is lofty with a fully grown body, and long-fanged, O jackal;

You were not born in that family, where they capture elephants.

138.

He who, not being a lion, transforms himself with a lion's pride;

Like a jackal having attacked an elephant, lies on the ground lamenting.

139.

Without considering the attainment of strength and power of the famous one, the highest person, with well-developed body, of great might;

He lies slain by the serpent, this jackal.

140.

Whoever here performs an action after measuring, having recognised strength and power in oneself;

By recitation, by incantation, by well-spoken words, the circumspect one conquers abundantly.

The Birth Story of Jambuka is the fifth.

336. The Birth Story of Brahāchatta (4-4-6)

141.

You prattle 'Grass, grass!' Who then brought you grass?

What business have you with grass, that you speak only of grass?

142.

A practitioner of the holy life came here, lofty, Chatta, very learned;

He, having taken all from me, putting down grass, goes away.

143.

This indeed should be done by one desiring much with little;

Taking all of one's own, and not taking the grass.

144.

The virtuous do not do so, the fool does such practices;

One of impermanent morality, immoral, what will wisdom do for him?

The Birth Story of Brahāchatta is the sixth.

337. The Birth Story of Pīṭha (4-4-7)

145.

We did not give you a chair, nor a beverage, nor food;

Practitioner of the holy life, forgive me, I see this transgression.

146.

I was indeed not attached, nor was I angry, nor was anything unpleasant to me;

Yet also a thought arose in my mind: "Such surely is the custom of this family."

147.

This is the custom in our family, from father and grandfather always;

A seat, water, foot-ointment, all this we offer.

148.

This is the custom in our family, from father and grandfather always;

We attend attentively, as if to the highest relative.

The Birth Story of Pīṭha is the seventh.

338. The Birth Story of Thusa (4-4-8)

149.

Known is the chaff to rats, and known too is the rice-grain;

Having avoided chaff after chaff, they eat the rice-grain.

150.

Whatever consultation in the forest, and whatever whispering in ear in the village;

And whatever this "thus" and "so" is, this too is known by me.

151.

Truly, the father monkey, of a son born by nature;

While still young, cut off the fruit with his teeth.

152.

As to this that you crawl about, like a one-eyed goat in a mustard field;

And whoever this is that lies below, this too is known by me.

The Birth Story of Thusa is the eighth.

339. The Birth Story of Bāveru (4-4-9)

153.

By the absence of the peacock, the crested one, the sweet-voiced;

They venerated the crow there, with meat and with fruit.

154.

And when the peacock, endowed with a sweet voice, came to Bāveru;

Then the material gain and honour of the crow diminished.

155.

As long as the Buddha did not arise, the king of righteousness, the light-bringer;

So long they venerated others, many ascetics and brahmins.

156.

And when the Buddha, endowed with a sweet voice, expounded the Teaching;

Then the material gain and honour of the sectarians diminished.

The Birth Story of Bāveru is the ninth.

340. The Birth Story of Visayha (4-4-10)

157.

You gave gifts before, Visayha, and as you gave, the state of destruction was yours;

If from now on you would not give gifts, your wealth would remain as you restrain yourself.

158.

The ignoble by the noble, Thousand-eyed One, even by one very destitute, they have said should not be done;

May that wealth not be yours, king of gods, on account of which enjoyment we would give up faith.

159.

By which path one chariot goes, by that path another chariot goes;

The ancient established practice, let that practice continue, O Vāsava.

160.

If there will be, we will give; when there is not, what shall we give?

Even being thus, we will give; let us not neglect giving.

The Birth Story of Visayha is the tenth.

The Kokila Chapter is the fourth.

Its summary:

Excessive Time, Shines, Victorious One, In the Middle of the Forest, Bull among Charioteers, Crooked Going;

Then Rose-Apple, Grass Seat, Excellent Chair, then Rice, Peacock, Visayha - these are ten.

The PaliVerse Project

A UniVerse of Wisdom

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A Universe of Wisdom

Navigation & Search

14. The Book of Birth Stories-1

Bookmarks

4.

The Chapter on the Cuckoo

331.

The Birth Story of Kokila (4-4-1)

332.

The Birth Story of Rathalaṭṭhi (4-4-2)

333.

The Birth Story of the Pakkagodha (4-4-3)

334.

The Birth Story of Rājovāda (4-4-4)

335.

The Birth Story of Jambuka (4-4-5)

336.

The Birth Story of Brahāchatta (4-4-6)

337.

The Birth Story of Pīṭha (4-4-7)

338.

The Birth Story of Thusa (4-4-8)

339.

The Birth Story of Bāveru (4-4-9)

340.

The Birth Story of Visayha (4-4-10)

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