Kuruṅgamigajātaka
“The antelope knows well.”—This story was told by the Master while at the Bamboo-grove about Devadatta. For once when the Brethren were gathered together in the Hall of Truth, they sat talking reproachfully of Devadatta, saying, “Sirs, with a view to destroy the Buddha Devadatta hired bowmen, hurled down a rock, and let loose the elephant Dhana-palaka; in every way he goes about to slay the Lord of Wisdom.” Entering and seating himself on the seat prepared for him, the Master asked, saying, “Sirs, what is the theme you are discussing here in conclave?” “Sir,” was the reply, “we were discussing the wickedness of Devadatta, saying that he was always going about to slay you.” Said the Master, “It is not only in these present days, Brethren, that Devadatta goes about seeking to slay me; he went about with the like intent in bygone days also,—but was unable to slay me.” And so saying, he told this story of the past.
Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka · Public domain (CC0) via SuttaCentral
1.1PTS 1.174“Ñātametaṁ kuruṅgassa,The four-horned antelope knows that11.2yaṁ tvaṁ sepaṇṇi siyyasi;it’s you who tosses fruit from the beechwood tree.21.3Aññaṁ sepaṇṇi gacchāmi,I’ll go to another beechwood,1.4na me te ruccate phalan”ti.I don’t like your fruit.
2.1Kuruṅgamigajātakaṁ paṭhamaṁ.
A wary antelope spots a hunter hiding in a tree and seeks elsewhere for fruit.
The kuruṅga is the four-horned antelope (Sanskrit kuraṅga; Tetracerus quadricornis). The Mṛgapakṣiśāstra says they are short and red, with branched horns and wide eyes. They often graze grass and are shrewd and patient.
The sepaṇṇi is the beechwood or gamhar (Gmelina arborea), a Sanskrit name of which is śriparṇi, “blessed leaf”. It has edible fruit and grows to a height of 30 metres.
