Kathakoca or Treasury of Stories

Author(s): C H Tawney
Publisher: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation New Delhi

Page 37

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vertently* I said what was untrue; and this property has been in my house for eight years.' The hermit said: 'All this belongs to me; I am the son of Açokadatta, Crípati by name.' Samriddhidatta was delighted, and said: 'I bestow on you my daughter, marry her; I will make good all the gold and other property.' The hermit answered : Merchant, it is all yours ; I have abandoned all worldly pleasures. Listen, merchant, to the story of our life in a former birth.' Then the hermit sat down and told the story of their life in a former birth :
'In the city of Crípura, a merchant named Jinadatta had
two sons, Padmákara and GuņáSTORY OF SAMRIDDHIDATTA AND ÇRÍPATI IN A FORMER BIRTH.
kara. One day, when he was
*** at the point of death, he revealed to them the existence of a hoard buried in a field. Subsequently the two agreed to dig up the hoard when a favourable occasion presented itself. But one midnight the elder brother, Padmákara, went and secretly took possession of that hoard buried in the field. On a subsequent day the two went together, by appointment, to dig up the hoard. They dug up the place where it ought to be, but it had disappeared. Padmákara pretended to have an attack of faintness, and said.: “Gunákara, you have taken it.”+ He made his younger brother take a solemn oath that he had not taken the wealth. In course of time both of them died, and, owing to his deceitfulness from his birth, the soul of Padmákara was born as myself, and the soul of Guņákara as you. Because in my former life I acted deceitfully, my wealth has come to your house in this life. Therefore no one should practise deceit.'
Thereupon the merchant became converted, and took a Vow.
Here ends the stouy of Açokadatta, having reference to deceit.
* This rendering is based on a paraphrase by Muni Átmárám-ji.
† This story bears a slight resemblance to the story of Dharmabuddhi and Dushtabuddhi Katha Sarít Ságara' vol. ii. p. 40 of my
to resemblance to
translation. Dushtabuddhi