In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

The Bodhisatta was once a world famed teacher. Among his pupils was Yava, son of the king of Benares. He was a good student, and when he was about to leave, the Bodhisatta, foreseeing danger for him, taught him three verses (the verses are in the nature of conundrums, with double meaning). The first two were based on incidents seen by the Bodhisatta a horse killing the mouse that worried the sore place in his foot and throwing him into the well; and the same horse, later, trying to eat barley by putting its head through the fence; the third was made of his own accord. Later, Yava became king, and his son, when sixteen years old, made three attempts on his life. But they all failed because Yava repeated the stanzas taught him by the Bodhisatta. On each occasion the uttering of the stanzas made the boy feel that he was discovered, and he confessed his guilt, whereupon he was cast into chains.

The story was related in reference to Ajatasattu (J.iii.215 9). For details see the Thusa Jataka.

context information

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, Mushika.

Full-text: Yava, Mushika.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Musika Jataka, Mūsika-jātaka; (plurals include: Musika Jatakas, jātakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)

Jataka 373: Mūsika-jātaka < [Volume 3]

show preview