12.
The Book of the Twelves
464.
The Cūḷakuṇāla Birth Story (1)
1.
A man not devoted to the gods does not deserve to trust women.
2.
Ignoble, having transgressed the Dhamma, they come under the control of their own mind.
3.
They abandon him in household duties, therefore I do not trust women.
4.
Unstable is the heart of women, it turns round like the rim of a wheel.
5.
They lead him with smooth words, like Kambojans lead a horse with a lotus.
6.
They avoid him from all around, like a raft by one who has crossed to the far shore of a river.
7.
They serve both the dear and the unloved, just as a boat goes to the near shore and the far.
8.
Whoever would think "They are mine," would obstruct the wind with a net.
9.
So are women of the world indeed, no limit is found for them.
10.
Like cattle with grass outside, they fondle downwards the choicest of the choicest.
11.
These a man should associate with from a distance, their entire nature is indeed hard to know.
12.
Nor another's wife, nor for the sake of wealth, these five women should not be associated with.
The Cūḷakuṇāla Birth Story is the first.
465.
The Bhaddasāla Birth Story (2)
13.
By what do your tears flow, from where has this fear come to you?
14.
For sixty thousand years, standing here, I have been venerated.
15.
And also various mansions, they did not disregard me;
Just as they venerated me, so too you should venerate.
16.
In height and circumference, you are handsome by birth.
17.
There I will bring you, long may your life be, demon.
18.
Having cut me up diversely, cut me into pieces."
19.
Thus for me being cut, death would not be painful.
20.
Then afterwards cut off the head, that death would be painful.
21.
For what reason, clinging to what, do you wish to be cut into pieces?
22.
I wish it to be cut into pieces, great king, listen to me.
23.
Even them I would harm, unhappiness gathered for others.
24.
You desire the welfare of your relatives, I give you safety, my dear.
The Bhaddasāla Birth Story is the second.
466.
The Samuddavāṇija Birth Story (3)
25.
We are not sharers in this small island, from Jambudīpa this alone is better for us.
26.
It will flood this lofty island, let it not kill you - go to another shelter.
27.
That has been seen by me through many signs, do not fear, why do you grieve? Rejoice!
28.
I do not see any fear for you, rejoice with your sons and sons' sons.
29.
The northern one knew not of fear and fearlessness, do not fear, why do you grieve? Rejoice!
30.
So come, hear my word, quickly, swiftly, let us not all perish.
31.
If this southern one spoke truth, this northern one protests in vain;
32.
Having ascended that very boat, all of us, thus we may safely cross to the beyond.
33.
Whoever here, having investigated, grasps the truth, he indeed, that man, attains the foremost state.
34.
Having penetrated the future benefit, even a little he does not neglect, that one of extensive wisdom.
35.
They sink when the need arises in the present, like those humans in the middle of the ocean.
36.
Such a one who does the task beforehand, that task does not afflict him at the time of the task.
The Samuddavāṇija Birth Story is the third.
467.
The Kāma Birth Story (4)
37.
Surely he is joyful in mind, a mortal having obtained what he wishes.
38.
From that, he finds yet another craving for sensual pleasures, for mental objects.
39.
Thus for a foolish man, an ignorant one not understanding;
Craving and thirst increase even more as he grows.
40.
Having given, it is not enough for one, knowing this, one should live righteously.
41.
Unsatisfied with this side of the ocean, he would desire even the far side of the ocean.
42.
Having turned back from that, having withdrawn, having seen, they indeed are well-satisfied who are satisfied with wisdom.
43.
The person satisfied through wisdom, craving does not bring under its control.
44.
A person vast as the ocean, he is not tormented by sensual pleasures.
45.
Whatever sensual pleasures one abandons, that happiness arises;
If one should wish for all happiness, one should abandon all sensual pleasures.
46.
Accept them, Great Brahmā, your saying is excellent.
47.
Speaking the last verse, my mind is not delighted in sensual pleasures.
48.
Who fully understands this craving, the producer of suffering - he is wise.
The Kāma Birth Story is the fourth.
468.
The Janasandha Birth Story (5)
49.
He afterwards feels remorse, thus spoke Janasandha.
50.
"I did not seek wealth before," thus he feels remorse afterwards.
51.
Difficult is the livelihood of one without a craft," thus he feels remorse afterwards.
52.
Fierce and also harsh," thus he feels remorse afterwards.
53.
I did not honour beings, thus he feels remorse afterwards.
54.
I resorted to another's wife," thus he feels remorse afterwards.
55.
I did not give a gift before," thus he feels remorse afterwards.
56.
"Though being able, I did not support them," thus he feels remorse afterwards.
57.
"I despised my father," thus he feels remorse afterwards.
58.
"I did not attend on them before," thus he feels remorse afterwards.
59.
And when austere asceticism was not practised before, thus he feels remorse afterwards.
60.
Doing a man's duties, he afterwards does not feel remorse.
The Janasandha Birth Story is the fifth.
469.
The Mahākaṇha Birth Story (6)
61.
Bound by five ropes, why did your dog bark?
62.
Having become a calamity for human beings, then the dark one will be released.
63.
They will plough with ploughs, then the dark one will be released.
64.
When they will go about in the world, then the dark one will be released.
65.
When they go demanding debts, then the dark one will be released.
66.
Will sacrifice for hire, then the dark one will be released.
67.
Though being able, they do not support them, then the dark one will be released.
68.
"You are fools," they will say, then the dark one will be released.
69.
When they will go about in the world, then the dark one will be released.
70.
Will commit highway robbery, then the dark one will be released.
71.
Will cause the breaking of friendship, then the dark one will be released.
72.
When they will be in the world, then the dark one will be released.
The Mahākaṇha Birth Story is the sixth.
470.
The Kosiya Birth Story (7)
73.
This is indeed difficult to obtain and small, a bowl of rice is not enough for us, hard to obtain.
74.
From much one should give much, not giving is not fitting.
75.
Having ascended the noble path, one who eats alone does not obtain happiness.
76.
He who, while a guest is seated, eats food alone.
77.
Having ascended the noble path, one who eats alone does not obtain happiness.
78.
He who, while a guest is seated, does not eat food alone.
79.
Having ascended the noble path, one who eats alone does not obtain happiness.
80.
At Doṇa, at the Timbaru ford, in the swift-flowing, great torrent.
81.
He who, while a guest is seated, does not eat food alone.
82.
Having ascended the noble path, one who eats alone does not obtain happiness.
83.
He who, while a guest is seated, eats food alone.
84.
Having ascended the noble path, one who eats alone does not obtain happiness.
85.
It transforms into various colours and appearances; tell us, brahmins, who are you?"
86.
I am Sakka, the lord of the thirty-three, and this one is called Pañcasikha.
87.
They awaken him who is asleep, and having awakened, he rejoices.
88.
Having laid down the bodily form right here, upon the body's collapse, they go to hell.
89.
Having laid down the bodily form right here, upon the body's collapse, they go to a fortunate destination.
90.
We have come here for your very purpose, may this one of bad character not go to hell.
91.
I shall act accordingly, all that is spoken by those who seek my benefit.
92.
And there is nothing of mine that should not be given, and I do not drink water without having given.
93.
Then I shall go forth, Sakka, having abandoned sensual pleasures, each according to its limit.
The Kosiya Birth Story is the seventh.
471.
The Meṇḍakapañha Birth Story (8)
94.
Born as enemies, the two companions, having reconciled, they wander - for what reason?
95.
I will banish you all from the country, for I have no use for those born of poor wisdom.
96.
With distracted minds, with various thoughts, we are not able to answer this question.
97.
Having meditated in solitude, the wise, then they will speak, O lord of men, this matter.
98.
They do not give meat to the dog, then there would be friendship between the ram and the dog.
99.
And they do not spread one for the dog, then there would be friendship between the ram and the dog.
100.
One feeds on grass, the other eats meat, then there would be friendship between the ram and the dog.
101.
The dog would catch a hare or a cat, then there would be friendship between the ram and the dog.
102.
This one brings the hide for this one, this one brings the meat for that one.
103.
The lord of men, it is said, saw with his own eyes this, the full face of one who wished to eat.
104.
The wise penetrate the profound and subtle meaning of the question with well-spoken words.
105.
I give to all of you wise ones, supremely pleased in mind by the well-spoken words.
The Meṇḍakapañha Birth Story is the eighth.
472.
The Mahāpaduma Birth Story (9)
106.
A lord should decree punishment, without examining for himself.
107.
He swallows what is thorny, like one blind from birth swallows what has flies.
108.
Like a blind man on an uneven path, he does not know the righteous from the unrighteous.
109.
Should instruct, he indeed deserves to administer.
110.
To establish oneself in greatness, therefore one should practise both.
111.
Having known both of these, one should practise the middle way.
112.
Not for the sake of a woman, O king, do you deserve to have your son slain.
113.
Therefore I shall proceed accordingly, go and throw her in.
114.
Thrown into a mountain fortress, by what did you not die there?
115.
He received me with his coils, therefore I did not die there.
116.
Exercise kingship, venerable sir, what will you do in the forest?
117.
Having pulled it out, he would be happy - thus I see myself.
118.
What do you call pulled out? Tell me this when asked.
119.
What is given up I call pulled out, know this thus, O warrior.
120.
Ānanda was the wise elephant, and Sāriputta was the deity;
I was the prince, thus remember the Jātaka.
The Mahāpaduma Birth Story is the ninth.
473.
The Mittāmitta Birth Story (10)
121.
The intelligent one would know an enemy, having seen and having heard, the wise person.
122.
And he does not give him his eyes, and he acts in opposition.
123.
He prevents those wishing to praise, he praises those who revile.
124.
He does not praise his work, he does not commend his wisdom.
125.
Having obtained marvellous food, mindfulness does not arise for him;
Therefore he does not have compassion for him, "Oh, may he too obtain from here."
126.
By which a wise person would know an enemy, having seen and having heard.
127.
The intelligent one would know a friend, having seen and having heard, the wise person.
128.
Thereupon he is affectionate, he gladly accepts with speech.
129.
He prevents those who revile, he praises those wishing to praise.
130.
He praises his work, and he commends his wisdom.
131.
Having obtained marvellous food, mindfulness arises for him;
Therefore he has compassion for him, "Oh, may he too obtain from here."
132.
By which a wise person would know a friend, having seen and having heard.
The Mittāmitta Birth Story is the tenth.
The Book of Twelves is concluded.
Its summary:
Then Kaṇha, Sukosiya, Excellent Ram, Lotus, Again, with Excellent Friend - ten.