Comments on the Kassapa Jataka aroused my curiosity to read the JA
commentary. Here's my rendering of the story and the verses. (It's
not a translation of the JA text.) I believe this will not offend
present day sensitivities, used as we are to modern literature and
the media
STORY: An audaciously libidinous ape indulges himself in a locality
where the Bodhisatta is doing penances. The sage endures with true
ascetic forbearance the ape's lascivious acts, which do not spare
even his nostrils and ears. However, the ape meets more than his
match when he tries the same antics on a tortoise who basks in the
sun with mouth agape. The tortoise bites into the sensitive organ
of the ape and holds it firmly between his teeth. Writhing in agony,
but unable to escape from the tortoise's grip, he bodily lifts the
animal and runs to where the Bodhisatta is. According to JA, the
verses tell the rest of the story.
Ascetic: Who's this? Some one carrying a bowl? A Brahmin with laden
hands? What funerary rite has he attended?
Monkey: A witless monkey am I/ Touched what's not to be touched/
Good luck to you, do set me free/ Freed, I will to mountain fastness
go//
Asceetic (addressing tortoise): Tortoises they are Kassapas/ Apes
they are Kondannas/ Kassapa, let Kondanna go/ Tis copulation (that
a Kondanna) did with you//
Verse 1 is no doubt also a satire on Brahmins as is the wont of JA.
Lines cd refer to the habit of collecting alms in a bowl. A Brahmin
who officiates at a funeral could get a lavish dak.si.naa (ritual
reward). I assume that uddhita-bhatta is a misreading for the
bahubbihi compound uddhita-patta; literally "one by whom a bowl
(patta) is carried", uddhita: PP from uddharati (root dhar- to
bear). = Skt uddh,rta. (Brahmin carrying bowl full of alms is an apt
simile for ape carrying the dark tortoise.) saddha :funeeral ritual:
Skt Shraaddha
Verse 2: anaamaasa and aamasi.m from verb aamasati (Skt aam.rshati):
touches. aamasi.m aor 1 sg.
Verse3 refers to tribal caste lore. The first 3 castes were divided
into different exogamous clans or gotta-s. (Skt gotra). Clans had
totemic symbols. Totem of Kassapa clan is the tortoise. Com. says
Konda~n~na clan had the monkey totem. The tribal rule of exogamy,
allows a Kondanna to marry and have sexual relations with a Kassapa.
So the tortoise may after all forgive the monkey's sexual act.