The Rash Magician

Once on a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in
Benares, the Bodhisatta was born into the family of a
wealthy brahmin. Arriving at years of discretion, he went
to study at Takkasila, where he received a complete edu-
cation. In Benares as a teacher he enjoyed world-wide
fame and had five hundred young brahmins as pupils.
Among these was one named Sanjlva, to whom the
Bodhisatta taught the spell for raising the dead to life.
But though the young mail was taught this, he was not
taught the counter charm. Proud of his new power, he
went with his fellow-pupils to the forest wood-gathering,
and there came on a dead tiger.

" Now see me bring the tiger to life again," said he.

" You can't," said they.

" You look and you will see me do it."

" Well, if you can, do so," said they, and climbed up a
tree forthwith.

Then Saiijlva repeated his charm and struck the dead
tiger with a potsherd. Up started the tiger and quick as
lightning sprang at Sarijiva and bit him on the throat,
killing him outright, Dead fell the tiger then and there,
and dead fell Sanjlva too at the same spot. So there the
two lay dead side by side.

The young brahmins took their wood and went back to
their master to whom they told the story. "My dear pupils,"
said he, " mark herein how by reason of shewing favour to
the sinful and paying honour where it was not due, he has
brought all this calamity upon himself." And so saying he
uttered this stanza :

Befriend a villain, aid him in his need,

And, like that tiger which Sanjlva raised

To life, he straight devours you for your pains.

Such was the Bodhisatta's lesson to the young brahmins,
and after a life of almsgiving and other good deeds he
passed away to fare according to his deserts.