Other Translations: Deutsch
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Jātaka Stories of Past Lives 35
Ekakanipāta The Book of the Ones
Kulāvakavagga Nests
5. Vaṭṭakajātaka The Quail: a past life story
“Santi pakkhā apatanā, I have wings that do not fly! A little quail, alone in the face of a great fire, turns back a wall of flame with the power of truth. | This verse, which remains a popular protection chant, is also found at Cp 29:10.1. | The bird in question is probably the jungle bush quail, which roosts on the ground. This small and adorable bird always seems to be in need of rescue, whether from wolves (Rig Veda 1.116.14), birds of prey, hunters, elephants, or, as here, fire.
santi pādā avañcanā; I have feet that do not walk!
Mātāpitā ca nikkhantā, Mother and father have fled!
jātaveda paṭikkamā”ti. Jātaveda the fire: go back! Jātaveda is found commonly in the Rig Veda and rarely in the Pali canon. Where it does occur it is mostly in the Jātakas, showing how Vedic ideas are still alive in this collection. Here jātaveda is addressed as an agent who can respond to pleas, the imminent deity Agni, who brings “knowledge to mortals”.
Vaṭṭakajātakaṁ pañcamaṁ.