Jataka Tales-Jackal Stories (553) Hindi

Gautama was born a prince, over 2500 years ago in Lumbini, in the northern part of India. He left the comfortable life of the palace, his young wife and infant son, to go in search of true knowledge. After a life of wander, austerities and meditation, he became Buddha ('the Enlightened one'). Buddha taught compassion, non-violence and the need for right conduct in life. His teachings spread far and wide even outside India, in China and Southeast Asia. The 'Jataka' (Birth-cycle) tales narrate the stories related to the 'seekers of truth' - those who wish to follow the path of Buddha. The 550 Jatakas that form the canon, many are about both animals and humans. The stories were originally were compiled in the Pali language. Jackal stories' main character is smart but is often outwitted if it is selfish or vainglorious. A jackal scouting victims for a lion, tries to hunt like the master and meets his end. A smart jackal smells of a hunter lying like dead and wakes him to frustration. One jackal that learns a spell from a priest casts it on animals to be their king; in a fit of over confidence, he attempts to invade a city and looses his life. A smart jackal offers to divide a fish between two otters and takes away the best part as fee.