Bodhisattva s judgement (Jataka tale)

A woman, carrying her child, went to the Bodhisattva s tank to wash. And having fi
rst bathed the child, she put on her upper garment and descended into the water
to bathe herself.
Then a Yaksha, seeing the child, had a craving to eat it. And taking the form of
a woman, she drew near, and asked the mother, Friend, this is a very pretty chil
d. Is it one of yours? And when she was told it was, she asked if she might nurse
it. And this being allowed, she nursed it a little, and then carried it off.
But when the mother saw this, she ran after her, and cried out,
ing my child to? and caught hold of her.

Where are you tak

The Yaksha boldly said, Where did you get the child from? It is mine!
eling, they passed the door of the Bodhisattva s Judgment Hall.

And so quarr

He heard the noise, sent for them, inquired into the matter, and asked them whet
her they would abide by his decision. And they agreed. Then he had a line drawn
on the ground; and told the Yaksha to take hold of the child s arms, and the mothe
r to take hold of its legs; and said, The child shall be hers who drags him over
the line.
But as soon as they pulled at him, the mother, seeing how he suffered, grieved a
s if her heart would break. And letting him go, she stood there weeping.
Then the Bodhisattva asked the bystanders, Whose hearts are tender to babes? Thos
e who have borne children, or those who have not?
The hearts of mothers are tender.

They answered in unison

Then he said Who, then, is the mother? She who has the child in her arms, or she
who has let go?
She who has let go is the mother.

The bystanders answered.

Then do you all think that the other was the thief?

Bodhisattva asked

And they answered, Sire! We cannot tell.

Bodhisattva said, This person is a Yaksha, who stole the child to eat it. Because
her eyes winked not, and were red, and she knew no fear, and had no pity, I kne
w it. And so saying, he demanded of the thief, Reveal who you are!
She said:

Lord! I am a Yaksha.

Bodhisattva asked,
The Yaksha said,

Why did you take away this child?

I thought to eat him, Oh my Lord!

Bodhisattva rebuked the Yaksha, saying, Foolish woman! For your former sins you h
ave been born a Yaksha, and you continue to sin! And he laid a vow upon her to ke
ep the Five Commandments, and let her go. But the mother of the child exalted th
e Bodhisattva, and said, Oh my Lord! Oh great physician! May you live long! And sh
e went away, with her baby clasped to her bosom.
Translated by T.W. Rhys Davies (1880). Edited by Elan (2012)