Tibetan tales (derived from Indian sources)
by W. R. S. Ralston | 1906 | 134,175 words
This page related the story of “the peacock as bridegroom” from those tibetan tales (derived from Indian sources) found in the Kah-gyur (Kangyur or Kanjur). This represents part of the sacred Tibetan canon of Buddhist literature. Many of such stories correspond to similar legends found in the West, or even those found in Polynesia.
Chapter 46 - The Peacock as bridegroom
[Source: Kah-gyur, iii. f. 90.]
In long-past times lived the flamingo-king, Rāṣṭrapāla. The birds which dwelt in the different countries, having heard that his daughter was going to choose herself a husband, assembled themselves together, each hoping that he would be her spouse.
When she had looked at the peacock, she said, “He shall be my husband.”
Thereupon the other birds told him that she had chosen him as her spouse. He expanded his tail and began to dance.
Rāsḥṭrapāla saw him, and asked, “Why does he dance?”
The others replied, “It is because he is to be your daughter’s husband.”
He said, “To him I will not give my daughter, for he is shameless and bold.”
When the peacock heard of this, he went to Rāṣṭrapāla, and asked in a śloka: “Wherefore dost thou refuse to give me thy daughter, although I have a lovely voice, a beautiful colour, wings set with eyes, and a neck like unto lapis lazuli?”
Rāṣṭrapāla replied, “Although thou hast a lovely voice, a beautiful colour, wings set with eyes, and a neck like unto lapis lazuli, yet I will not give her to thee, for thou art afflicted with impudence.”