PÅ«á¹imaṃsa JÄtaka (No. 437)
Once, on the slopes of the HimÄlaya, lived a jackal called PÅ«á¹imaṃsa with his mate VenÄ«. Near by dwelt a flock of wild goats. PÅ«timaṃsa formed a device for killing the goats one by one and eating their flesh, till only a she goat, called MelamÄtÄ, was left. Wishing to devour her as well, PÅ«á¹imaṃsa suggested to VenÄ« that he should pretend to be dead and that VenÄ« should then entice MelamÄtÄ into the cave by asking her to assist in the funeral rites. However, the goat was wise and observant and discovered the ruse. VenÄ« went to her later and saying that PÅ«á¹imaṃsa had recovered consciousness at the very sight of her, invited her to join them in a feast to celebrate his recovery. MelamÄtÄ, agreed, saying that she would bring with her a large escort of her friends, fierce dogs, including Maliya, Piá¹…giya, Caturakkha and Jambuka, in order that the celebration might be a great one. At this suggestion PÅ«á¹imaṃsa and VenÄ« fled from their cave, taking refuge elsewhere.
The story was told to the monks in order to impress on them the necessity for keeping guard over their senses. J.iii.532ff.
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