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The Story of the Two Hermits that brought down a Deluge on the City of Kunala
Kathākoşa
A rich mine of tales is to be found in the Kathākoşa (Treasury of Stories) collected by an unknown compiler. It is in Sanskrit interspersed with Prakrit gāthas. Stories are intended to illustrate the tenets and practice of Jainism. The text has been translated by C. H. Tawney and published by the Royal Asiatic Society, London in 1895.]
Now follows the subject of wrath.
Rain, cloud, for fifteen days on the city of Kunala, With rain-drops as large as clubs, as by day, so also by night.
In the city of Kunala two hermits were remaining with restrained breath in the statuesque posture during the rainy season. The cloud was raining everywhere. Some herdsmen blamed the holymen, saying : “These hermits will prevent the cloud from raining." The hermits flew in a passion, and the first said : “Rain, cloud, on Kunala.” The second said : "For full fifteen days.” Then the first said: “With rain-drops as large as clubs.” The second said : “As by day, so also by night.” Owing to this curse of the two hermits, the cloud rained for fifteen days, and the city was flooded. The hermits also perished and went to hell.
Therefore, wrath should not be indulged.
Translated by C. H. TAWNEY
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