Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 4 1886.djvu/181

 FOLK-TALES OP INDIA. 173

Sahjiva Jataka.*

Once upon a time, when Brahraadatta reigned at Benares, the Bodhisat was re-born in a wealthy brahman family. When grown lip he studied all sciences in Benares, became a very famous instructor, and taught science to five hundred young brahmans. Among these was a youth named Safijiva, and him the Bodhisat gave a spell for raising the dead. He, indeed, acquired a mantra for raising the dead, but did not possess any common sense (to make a proper use of it). One day he went along with some companions into the forest to gather fuel, and seeing there a dead tiger he said to them — " Oh, I'll raise that dead tiger." '' You can't," replied his friends. He said, "Well then, I'll do it before your eyes." *' Raise it to life, if you can," they answered, at the same time getting up a tree (for safety).

Safijiva having repeated his spell, struck the dead tiger with a potsherd. The tiger started up, and with a bound seized Safijiva by the throat and killed him. Then he lay on the ground along with Safijiva, and both lay dead exactly on the same spot.

The young brahmans departed with their wood, and informed their teacher of the whole affair. He addressed them as follows: — ''My sons, on account of a misdirected exercise (of knowledge), and through bestowing honour and respect upon an improper object, this, your companion, has come to such a bad end. Then he uttered the follow- ing gdthd: —

" The man who misdirects his skill, And honour pays to worthless men, Will fall a prey to greedy knaves, Like him whom tiger fierce did slay."

The Aggi JATAKA.f

The pious Jackal that knew how to count.

In days gone by, when Brahmadatta reigned at Benares, the Bodhisat was re-born as king of the rats, and lived in the forest.

t Jataka Book, vol. i. No. 129, p. 461.
 * Jdtaha Book, vol. iii. No. 150, p. 510.