Minor Collection
2. Ethics

The Wind-deer: a past life story

Khuddaka Nikāya
2. Sīlavagga
Vātamigajātaka
Minor Collection
2. Ethics
The Wind-deer: a past life story
Khuddaka Nikāya
2. Sīlavagga
Vātamigajātaka
The Wind-deer: a past life story

“There’s nothing worse.” This story was told by the Master while at Jetavana, about the Elder Tissa, called Direct-alms the Less. Tradition says that, while the Master was dwelling at the Bamboo-grove near Rajagaha, the scion of a wealthy house, Prince Tissa by name, coming one day to the Bamboo-grove and there hearing a discourse from the Master, wished to join the Brotherhood, but, being refused because his parents would not give their consent, obtained their consent by following Rattha-pala’s example and refusing food for seven days, and finally took the vows with the Master.

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The Wind-deer: a past life story
4. Vātamigajātaka
The Wind-deer: a past life story
4. Vātamigajātaka
The Wind-deer: a past life story4. Vātamigajātaka

Nothing, it seems, is worse than tastes*Even the elusive Wind-deer was trapped by honey left by the groundskeeper Victor. Having proven his point, the keeper released the deer.in monasteries or meeting places.*The commentary reads the ending (-ehi) as locative (-esu). | Here santhava appears equivalent to Sanskrit saṁstāva, a place for gathering, especially for recitation. The commentary explains, rather, as “those who are residents and those who are acquaintances”.The domesticated Wind-deer*According to Haṁsadeva’s 13th century Mṛgapakṣiśāstra, the “wind-deer” (vātamiga, Sanskrit vātamṛga) is fast, skilled at escaping weapons and vanishing from sight. Dwelling in deep forests, it is lean with long legs and branched antlers. At SN 9.8:4.2 it is said to be flighty and easily startled. | “Domesticated” is gehanissitaṁ, which is to be accepted over the metrically-incorrect variant gahananissitaṁ. The confusion is evidently an old one, since the commentary glosses geha (“home”) with gahanaṭṭhāna (“place in the jungle”). But gehanissita regularly refers to thoughts or desires connected with the comforts and pleasures of domestic life.was brought under Victor’s sway by tastes.

“Na kiratthi rasehi pāpiyo, Āvāsehi va santhavehi vā; Vātamigaṁ gahananissitaṁ, *gahananissitaṁ → gehanissitaṁ (bj, pts-vp-pli1)Vasamānesi rasehi sañjayo”ti.

Nothing, it seems, is worse than tastes*Even the elusive Wind-deer was trapped by honey left by the groundskeeper Victor. Having proven his point, the keeper released the deer.
“Na kiratthi rasehi pāpiyo,
in monasteries or meeting places.*The commentary reads the ending (-ehi) as locative (-esu). | Here santhava appears equivalent to Sanskrit saṁstāva, a place for gathering, especially for recitation. The commentary explains, rather, as “those who are residents and those who are acquaintances”.
Āvāsehi va santhavehi vā;
The domesticated Wind-deer*According to Haṁsadeva’s 13th century Mṛgapakṣiśāstra, the “wind-deer” (vātamiga, Sanskrit vātamṛga) is fast, skilled at escaping weapons and vanishing from sight. Dwelling in deep forests, it is lean with long legs and branched antlers. At SN 9.8:4.2 it is said to be flighty and easily startled. | “Domesticated” is gehanissitaṁ, which is to be accepted over the metrically-incorrect variant gahananissitaṁ. The confusion is evidently an old one, since the commentary glosses geha (“home”) with gahanaṭṭhāna (“place in the jungle”). But gehanissita regularly refers to thoughts or desires connected with the comforts and pleasures of domestic life.
Vātamigaṁ gahananissitaṁ, *gahananissitaṁ → gehanissitaṁ (bj, pts-vp-pli1)
was brought under Victor’s sway by tastes.
Vasamānesi rasehi sañjayo”ti.

Nothing, it seems, is worse than tastes*Even the elusive Wind-deer was trapped by honey left by the groundskeeper Victor. Having proven his point, the keeper released the deer.“Na kiratthi rasehi pāpiyo, in monasteries or meeting places.*The commentary reads the ending (-ehi) as locative (-esu). | Here santhava appears equivalent to Sanskrit saṁstāva, a place for gathering, especially for recitation. The commentary explains, rather, as “those who are residents and those who are acquaintances”.Āvāsehi va santhavehi vā; The domesticated Wind-deer*According to Haṁsadeva’s 13th century Mṛgapakṣiśāstra, the “wind-deer” (vātamiga, Sanskrit vātamṛga) is fast, skilled at escaping weapons and vanishing from sight. Dwelling in deep forests, it is lean with long legs and branched antlers. At SN 9.8:4.2 it is said to be flighty and easily startled. | “Domesticated” is gehanissitaṁ, which is to be accepted over the metrically-incorrect variant gahananissitaṁ. The confusion is evidently an old one, since the commentary glosses geha (“home”) with gahanaṭṭhāna (“place in the jungle”). But gehanissita regularly refers to thoughts or desires connected with the comforts and pleasures of domestic life.Vātamigaṁ gahananissitaṁ, *gahananissitaṁ → gehanissitaṁ (bj, pts-vp-pli1)was brought under Victor’s sway by tastes.Vasamānesi rasehi sañjayo”ti.

Vātamigajātakaṁ catutthaṁ.

Vātamigajātakaṁ catutthaṁ.

Vātamigajātakaṁ catutthaṁ.