बावेरु द्वीप

Jataka Stories - The Baveru Island

The Illustrated Jataka : Other Stories of the Buddha by C.B. Varma 056 - The Baveru Island /

बावेरु द्वीप 

जब वाराणसी के कुछ व्यापारी बावेरु द्वीप पहुँचे तो वे अपने साथ एक कौवा भी ले गये। उस देश के लोगों ने कभी भी किसी कौवे को नहीं देखा था। इसलिए उन्होंने मुँह माँगा दाम दे उस कौवे को खरीद लिया। कौवे की तब अच्छी आवभगत हुई। उसे सोने के पिंजरे में रखा गया और नाना प्रकार के फल व मांस से उसका सत्कार किया गया। दर्शनार्थी उसे देख कहते, " वाह इस पक्षी की कैसी सुन्दर आँखें हैं। क्या सुन्दर रंग है ", आदि आदि।

दूसरी बार वाराणसी के व्यापारी जब उस द्वीप पर पहुँचे तो वे अपने साथ एक मोर भी लेते गये, जो चुटकी बजाने से बोलता और ताली बजाने से नाचता था। बावेरु-वासियों ने जब उस अद्भुत सुन्दर पक्षी को देखा तो उन्होंने उसे भी खरीदना चाहा। व्यापारियों ने उसे हज़ार मुद्राओं में बेचा। 

लोगों ने मोर को रत्न जड़ित पिंजरे में रखा और बढ़-चढ़ कर उसकी आवभगत की।

उस दिन के बाद से किसी ने कौवे को एक नज़र भी नहीं देखा। एक दिन पिंजरे का द्वार खुला पाकर कौवा बाहर उड़ गया और काँव-काँव करता मलों के ढेर पर जा बैठा। वही उसकी उपयुक्त जगह जो थी।

O nce the merchants of Varanasi went to the Baveru Island. They carried a crow with them. At that time there was no bird in the island; and most people had not seen any bird in their life-time. So, when the crow was put on display the people thronged to look at the bird with great curiosity. Some remarked, �Look at its glossy colour!�  Some said, �Look at its silky fur! Some said, �Look at its pretty beak and its jewelled eye-balls!� Thus, the people praised the bird. Later, they approached the merchants and said, �Sirs you have several birds like this in your land. You sell this to us because you can find another in your land�. And they offered them one piece of coin as the price of the bird. The merchants agreed to sell but demanded a higher price. Finally, the deal was made and the people bought the crow at the rate of one hundred coins.

The natives of the island then carried the crow in a pompous procession and placed it in a golden cage. The crow was treated with variety of meat, fish and wild fruits. Thus, a crow, which is known for ten evil characteristics, enjoyed all sorts of gains and praises.

The dancing peacock

Next time, when those merchants visited Baveru they brought a peacock. The peacock was trained to scream at the snapping of the fingers; and dance at the clapping of the hands. When the new bird was put on a display it amused the people by its dance and voice. Certainly, the peacock appeared far more alluring than the crow. So, charmed with the new bird, the people went to the merchants and eagerly expressed their desire to buy it. They said to the merchants, �Sirs you have several birds like this in your land. You sell this to us because you can find another in your land�

The merchants, who wanted a better bargain, said, �Sirs! We first brought a crow and you took it from us. Now, we bring a peacock and you want to take that, too. Next time, we would not bring any bird to your land.� But the people insisted and offered higher and higher price. Finally, the deal was made at the rate of one thousand coins.

The people then placed the peacock in a cage, which was made of seven jewels. They then treated the new bird with all sorts of fish and meat, honey and fried corn and so on. Since then the crow was hardly given any attention. No body then offered it anything. So, one day, when it got an opportunity to move out it flew from the cage with its shrill �caw, caw� and settled down on a dung-hill.

Before the crested peacock could appearThe crow enjoyed all gains of fruits and meat and was revered But ever since to Baveru the honeyed voice peacock cameThe crow was shorn off all its gains and fame. See Baveru Jataka Jataka Pali No. 339.Copyright IGNCA© 2002