Continuing where we left off last week’s tale from The Jatakas. Rohanta, the deer king is trapped in a hunter’s snare and his siblings Cittamiga and Sutana refuse to leave his side. Read on…
Rohanta could see the hunter approach, spear in hand. “Run away now, little sister and dear Cittaka, the hunter comes armed with arrows. Listen to me and flee at once! Otherwise, it’s certain death for us all!” he cried out.
Cittamiga stood his ground as if rooted to the spot. Sutana, the gentle doe, moved slightly as she shivered in fright. I will not forsake my brothers. Better to embrace death than leave them and escape, thought she.
Bravely she stood beside her brothers, one trapped and the other ready to face his death.
The hunter was amazed at the sight that greeted him. There was the golden one trapped and two others, bearing his likeness standing beside him.
Only the deer king is in the snare and these two must surely be his siblings. And they seem to be most willing to court danger. Deeply moved, he addressed Rohanta, “Tell me Oh Golden deer, who are these who refuse to forsake you even at the cost of their own life?”
“Why, they are my own dear sister and brother! They insist they will never leave. They have no fear to face death along with me,” answered Rohanta in his gentle voice.
Seeing a change come over the hunter as Rohanta said these words, Cittamiga spoke up, “My friend hunter, this here is our king who rules over a herd of eighty thousand. Not a mere deer is he — brave, strong, wise and tender hearted, he takes care of us all and our old, blind parents. If you slay him now, you take away not just his life but the lives of us all, for we are all dependent on his kindness and wisdom. Spare him and you spare us all!’’
“So be it,” said the hunter and embraced the golden deer. He then gently removed the snare from Rohanta’s leg and moved him closer to the lake to wash the injured leg. Whether because of the love that flowed from the hunter’s heart or the divine powers of the Bodhisattva himself, the leg became good as new.
As the three siblings thanked the hunter for his kindness and generosity, a thought crossed Rohanta’s mind. Was it merely for sport the hunter had trapped him or had someone else asked him to do so?
“It was not my desire to capture you but the king’s. His consort Queen Khema wishes to hear your discourse on righteousness. But go now, gentle one, for I have no desire for rewards,” said the hunter.
“My dear friend,” said Rohanta, “you have been so generous. I will most willingly come with you to the king’s court for I do not want to deprive you of your fortune.’’
“No Rohanta! Kings can be cruel. Who knows what he may do on seeing you? Let us not take a chance! Go now, your parents must be anxious,” said the hunter.
“Then, brush my back thrice with your hands,” instructed Rohanta and the hunter obeyed. His hands were now covered with golden hair!
“Now go and show this to the king and queen as proof and you shall, in my place give the discourse on law!”
Rohanta proceeded to teach the hunter the ten laws of a pious life and described to him the five virtues.
The hunter returned to Benares and explained to the king what had happened. The golden hair was proof enough. Seated on a golden throne, he gave the queen the discourse she so wished to hear.
Pleased, the king gave him a generous fortune. Giving it to his family, the hunter returned to the Himalayas to become an ascetic.