In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

The Bodhisatta was once an ascetic in Himava. A doe drank water in which his semen had fallen and conceived a son, whom he adopted and Named Isisinga.

Isisinga was a sage of such austerity that Sakka trembled at his power. In order to destroy his virtue, Sakka caused a drought in Kasi, lasting three years. When the inhabitants complained to the king, Sakka appeared before him and suggested that if the kings daughter, Nalinika, would seduce Isisinga and destroy his virtue, rain would fall. Nalinika was, accordingly, sent to the Himalaya and arrived in Isisingas hut dressed in the ascetics garb, when the Bodhisatta was absent. Pretending to have been wounded by a bear, she played on the simplicity of the guileless young man (much as Venus did on that of Adonis). Through her seductions his virtue was overcome and leis mystic meditation broken off.

Delighted with the outcome of his plot, Sakka caused rain to fall on Kasi, and Nalinika left the hermitage. When the Bodhisatta returned and heard of the visit of the youthful ascetic and of all that followed, he admonished Isisinga and warned him for the future. The story was told in reference to a monk who was seduced by the wife of his worldly days. Isisinga is identified with the monk and Nalinika with his wife. v.l. Nalini Jataka. (J.v.193 209. It is probably a variation of the same story which is found in Mtu.iii.143ff).

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: Nalinika, Jataka.

Full-text: Nalini Jataka, Nalinika, Isisinga.

Relevant text

No search results for Nalinika Jataka, Nalinikā-jātaka, Nalinikā-jataka; (plurals include: Nalinika Jatakas, jātakas, jatakas) in any book or story.