Mahahamsa Jataka, Mahāhamsa-jātaka: 1 definition
Introduction:
Mahahamsa Jataka means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper NamesKhema, wife of Samyama, king of Benares, had a dream, after which she longed to see a golden hamsa preach the law from the royal throne. When the king came to know this, he consulted various people, and, acting on their advice, had a pond dug to the north of the city in the hope of enticing a golden hamsa there, and appointed a fowler, who came to be called Khemaka, to look after the pond.
The plan succeeded. Five different kinds of geese came: the grass geese, the yellow geese, the scarlet geese, the white geese, and the paka geese.
Dhatarattha, king of the golden geese, who lived in Cittakuta, had taken as wife a paka goose, and at the repeated suggestion of his minister, Sumukha, arrived with his flock of ninety thousand, to see the wonderful pond at Benares. Khemaka saw them and waited his opportunity. On the seventh day he found it, and set a snare in which Dhatarattha was caught. At his cry of alarm the flock fled, with the exception of Sumukha, who stayed and asked Khemaka for permission to take Dhataratthas place. When Sumukha heard why they had been caught, he asked that both he and Dhatarattha should be taken before Samyama. When Samyama heard of Sumukhas devotion he was greatly touched, and showed the hamsas every possible honour, after asking their forgiveness for the way they had been treated. Dhatarattha preached to the queen and the royal household, and, having exhorted the king to rule righteously, returned to Cittakuta.
The story was told in reference to Anandas attempt to sacrifice his own life for that of the Buddha, when Nalagiri (q.v.) was sent to kill him.
Khemaka was Channa, Khema the Theri Khema, the king Sariputta, Sumukha Ananda, and Dhatarattha the Bodhisatta. J.v.354 82; cp. Cullahamsa Jataka.
Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Jataka, Mahahamsa.
Full-text: Samyama, Sumukha, Hamsa Jataka, Dhajavihetha Jataka, Cullahamsa Jataka, Khemaka, Khema.
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