Garland of the Buddha's Past Lives (Volume 2). Aryashura
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there the shore was decorated by strands
of pollen dust from red and blue lotuses,
pushed there by finger-like waves,
resembling threads of gold.
The bright petals and filaments
of lotuses and water-lilies
made the lake everywhere bear
an expansive beauty like a reverent gift.
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So tranquil and still was the water
that shoals of roaming fish decorating
the lake with their fine colorful bodies
were as visible as if they swam in air.
In one area elephants emitted sprays
like broken strings of pearls,
the water seeming to transform into dust,
scattered when pulverized against rocks.
In another area the lake seemed perfumed
by the ointments of vidya·dhara nymphs,
the rut-juices of elephants
and the pollen dust of flowers.
The moon’s wives, the stars,
were reflected in the lake like a mirror,
which abounded with joyful birds
and echoed with their warbling.
Such was the lake that the king built as a gift for the entire flock of birds to enjoy with unimpeded pleasure. And to inspire trust in all the birds, he had the following announcement proclaimed every day, granting a gift of immunity:
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“Its waters covered by petals
of lotuses and water-lilies,
this lake is joyfully given by the king
along with the gift of immunity.”
One day the season arrived when dark clouds draw aside their curtains and fine autumn doles out her glories. The sky allowed itself to be seen and lakes captivated the mind with their tranquil waters, glistening with clusters of awakened lotuses. The moon seemed to increase the power of its rays and took on an intense youthful splendor, while the earth became adorned by an abundance of crops.
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It was the season when young geese take flight. And so it was that a pair of geese from that flock set out from Lake Manasa, wandering through regions that were bright with the serenity of autumn, until gradually they reached the land of King Brahma·datta. There they saw the lake, blazing with blooming lotuses and smiling with open waterlilies. Resounding with the racket of flocks of birds, the lake buzzed noisily with swarms of bees. Soft, soothing and cool breezes busied themselves by forming garlands of ripples, wafting the fragrance of lotus and lily pollen.
Even though they were accustomed to Lake Manasa, the two geese were filled with great wonder when they saw the intensely captivating glory of the lake. Remembering their flock, it occurred to them that the other geese should also go there.
When people find
a pleasure to share,
affection first usually turns
their thoughts to friends.
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The pair of geese stayed at the lake, enjoying themselves as they pleased until the monsoon arrived. That is the season when cloud masses advance like demonic armies, their darkness not so thick that it cannot be cut by the sword slashes of quivering lightning bolts. It is the season when colorful flocks of peacocks dance with continuous piercing cries as if praising the triumph of the clouds, glorious as they open their fan of feathers and accompanied by the chatter of smaller birds. It is the time when soothing breezes ________
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blow like deep breaths from the forest, infused by the fragrance of flowers from kadamba, sarja, arjuna, and ketaki trees.* Or when young cranes stand out like a row of teeth on a cloud and flocks of geese are anxious to migrate, warbling softly in their desire to depart.
When this season arrived, the pair of geese set out for Lake Manasa. There they approached the king of the geese and while discussing the topic of geography, they praised the special virtues of the lake, saying:
“There is, Your Majesty, a king called Brahma·datta who rules in Varanasi to the south of Mount Himavat. He has made an offering of a huge and extraordinarily beautiful lake. Indescribable qualities furnish this delightful lake and it is for birds to enjoy at their own pleasure and will. Every day a proclamation of immunity is made in the area and birds take delight in the lake without fear or worry, as if it were their own home. Your Majesty should go there after the rains have passed.”
When they heard this, all the geese became eager to see the lake. The Bodhi·sattva then looked at his general Sumukha with an intent expression of inquiry: “What are your views on this?” he asked. Whereupon Sumukha bowed before the Bodhi·sattva and gave the following reply:
“My view is that Your Majesty should not go. Why? Because they are simply enticements—attractive forms set up as baits—and we lack none of such things here. The hearts of men are usually false whenever they display tender compassion. Fabricated courtesies and honeyed words conceal a vicious depravity. Consider this, master:
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Animals and birds usually
express their hearts through cries.
Humans alone are skilled
in expressing the opposite.
Their speech is of course pleasant,
coherent and unable to be faulted.
But do merchants not also invest
in the hope of acquiring profit?
You should therefore never place
your trust in them, Your Majesty.
For dangerous and injudicious actions
can never be good, even to acquire a goal.
But if it really is necessary to go there, we should simply go and enjoy the lake’s riches. We should not wander there for long, nor incline our minds to staying there. That is my view.”
The flock of geese entreated the Bodhi·sattva again and again to go to the Varanasi lake, their curiosity to see it growing ever stronger. And so, when autumn arrived and the sky was adorned by a bright moon and stars, the Bodhi·sattva complied with their request and set off for the lake, surrounded by the flock of geese with Sumukha at the front, like the moon attended by a mass of autumn clouds.
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As soon as they saw the beauty of the lake,
they were filled with joy mixed with wonder.
Landing radiantly, their splendid forms
rivaled the waters on which they floated.
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The lake surpassed Manasa
in its various fine abodes.
The geese’s minds became so attached to it,
they no longer lent a thought to Mind Lake.
On hearing the proclamation of immunity and seeing the ease with which flocks of birds enjoyed the lake, their hearts became gladdened by the glory of the place and they felt utter bliss there, as if enjoying a trip in a park.
Now the men in charge of the lake informed the king that the geese had arrived, saying:
“Divine lord, two fine geese have arrived