Sāketa-Jātaka2

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Source: Adapted from Archaic Translation by W.H.D. Rouse
JATAKA No. 237

SAKETA-JATAKA

"Why are hearts cold," etc.--This story the Master told during a stay near Saketa, about a brahmin named Saketa. Both the circumstances that suggested the story and the story itself have already been given earlier (*1).

...And when the Tathagata(Buddha) had gone to the monastery, the Brother(Monk) asked, "How, Sir, did the love begin? "and repeated the first stanza:-

Why are hearts cold to one--O Buddha, tell! And love another so exceeding well?"

The Master explained the nature of love by the second stanza:

"Those love they who in other lives were dear, As sure as grows the lotus in the mere."

After this discourse was ended, the Master identified the Birth:-"These two people were the brahmin and his wife in the story; and I was their son."

Footnotes:

(1)No. 68.