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325
The Magic Bird-Heart
and himself ate the flesh that was about the bones. Thereafter he told them about the outcome. After meal in the city, they rested in the royal park. Now it was then the eighth day since the king of Benares had died childless, and the ceremonial chatriot that was to be sent forth at the moment itself rolled in where Banyan and his comrades were resting. The chaplain made sure of the royal marks upon the feet of Banyan and at once he consecrated him as the king. Banyan appointed Branch as his Commander-inchief.
Once Banyan asked Branch to go to Rajagṛha and bring their parents. Branch refused to go saying it was not his business. Thereupon Banyan told Pottika to do it. Pottika agreed. He approached the parents, but all of them refused to go with him, as they were quite happy where they were. Pottika returned to Benares ahd being fatigued went to rest to Branch's house. As the latter bore a grudge against Pottika, for giving Banyan the kingdom instead of him, he kicked and belaboured him and threw him out. Sore due to such ungrateful treatment, Pottika went to Banyan. He received and treated him very cordially. In the meanwhile Branch too, afraid of being slandered before the king, came up. But in his very presence Pottika reported to the king about his ill-treatment at the hands of Branch. The king ordered to spear him, but Pottika got him pardoned. The king offered the post of Commander-in-Chief to Pottika, but as the latter declined it he was made Royal Treasurer and the Judge of all the merchant guilds.
5.1. The story is given with the purpose of illustrating ingratitude and treachery to friends.
5.2. The same incident of two quarrelling cocks with the same magic properties is found in Siri-Jataka (No. 284). The slight variations in the properties possessed by the upper cock are: for a woman queenship is the alternative to becoming Commanderin-Chief, and for a holy man, king's favour is an alternative for becoming royal treasurer. The three parts are the fleshy parts, the
