Elder Mahinda's informative and analytical post puts to rest all remaining
doubts and speculations in respect of the Kacchapa-Jaataka.
Beautiful finale!

Most respectfully sir,
PG
___________________________________________

On 3/29/08, mahipaliha <mahipal6@...> wrote:
>
> Dear friends,
>
> 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.
>
> Mahinda
>
>
>


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