Kathakoca or Treasury of Stories

SR No.: 016059
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: C H Tawney
Publisher: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation New Delhi
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 288
Language: English
Classification: Dictionary & Dictionary
File Size: 15 MB

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said: We are going to worship the goddess of the city.' Samudradatta said : Then do you wait; I will go and worship the goddess.' So he went off with the necessaries for worship. But as Samudradatta entered the temple, he was killed by Khangila, who had entered previously. When Ságarapota bad heard of the slaying, he came back to the house to look for Samudradatta, but he saw Dámannaka and his wife. When Sagarapota was informed of his son's death, his heart burst and he died. When the king heard the story, he made Damannaka master in his house. One day the panegyrists chanted this : * Misfortunes, as it were, flowing favourably, become triumphs to that
man To whom the god of death, the revealer of joy, pain and calamity,
is favourable.'
When he heard this, Dámannaka gave those three a thousand coins. The king hearing of this unusual gift, summoned Dámannaka, and asked him the reason of the gift. He told the king his former history. The king was pleased, and gave him the rank of royal merchant. He enjoyed great luxury, gave gifts, and built temples. One day he thought to himself: 'What action did I perform in a former birth that I have happiness in place of calamity ?' While he was thinking thus the day dawned. In the morning the person, who was appointed to superintend religion, said to Dámannaka : "The teacher Vimalabodha has arrived in the park.' Dámannaka was delighted, and went to worship him. After worshipping, he asked him about his former life. The hermit told him his former life, which has been related above. He said: 'As you caused calamity to fishes three times in a former life, so calamity came upon you three times in this life. As you broke the fin of one fish, so your little finger was cut off. It is owing to your compassion for living creatures that you have such prosperity. When he heard this, he remembered his former birth, and took a vow, and went to heaven. The story of Dámannaka regarding compassion to living creatures is finished.