Page:Buddhist Birth Stories, or, Jātaka Tales.djvu/335

 No. 15.

KHARĀDIYĀ JĀTAKA.

The Deer who would not learn.

"Though a deer be most swift, Kharādiyā." — This the Master told when at Jetavana, concerning a certain foul-mouthed monk. For that monk, we are told, was abusive, and would take no admonition.

Now the Master asked him, "Is it true what they say, O mendicant! that you are abusive, and will take no admonition?"

"It is true, O Blessed One!" said he.

The Master said, "Formerly also, by your surliness and your refusing to accept the admonition of the wise, you were caught in a snare and came to destruction." And he told a story.

Once upon a time, when Brahma-datta was reigning in Benares, the Bodisat became a stag, and lived in the forest, with a herd for his retinue.

Now his sister-roe (Kharādiyā) pointed out to him her son, and gave him in charge to him, saying, "Brother! this is your nephew. Teach him the devices of the deer."

And he said to his nephew, "Come at such and such a time to learn."