Chapter 6.4 - The Jackal-monkey debate (Shrigala Vanara Samvada)

The Jackal-Monkey debate is seen in the Danadharma Parva which is a subsection of Anushasana Parva. A person who gives another person hope and then disappoints him is committing a great sin. Even if you perform many homams with fire or make a lot of almsgiving, this sin will destroy all the good deeds you have done.

Bhishma says to Yudhishthira thus: According to some Dharmashastra scholars if one makes a gift of 1000 black-eared horses in an appropriate manner, one will be freed from the sin of disappointing others.^[1] An example for this is cited in the conversation between the jackal and the monkey.^[2]

The jackal and the monkey were human beings in their earlier birth and they were friends. But in this birth they have this low status of being a jackal and a monkey. They had memories of their earlier birth. Once when they met in a burial ground they recognized each other.

The monkey asked the jackal which eats carrions,

“What sin did you commit in your previous birth that made you eat this foul smelling dead body?”

The jackal replied,

“My friend, I did not give the money I promised a Brahmin. He went away disappointed. I am now in this plight because of that sin and I have to eat dead bodies to survive.”

Then the jackal asked the monkey why he was born a monkey. He said that he had stolen and eaten the fruits meant for the Brahmins and is why he is now a monkey.

“Those who are wise should never take away the money or property of the Brahmins. You should give them generously so that they don't feel disappointed with you.”^[3]

Bhishma said to Yudhishthira: "If you give gifts to the Brahmins, you will gain noble heaven. There is no nobler work than giving alms or gifts. Our deities and dead ancestors live on the good deeds we do on this earth those who have realized the significance of giving gifts should definitely give them to Brahmins. Brahmins are like great holy water. Never let a Brahmin go away without being respected.^[4]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Mahabharata , Anushasanaparva 32. P. 9

[2]:

Ibid., p. 469

[3]:

Ibid., p. 470

[4]:

Ibid., p. 471