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True DhammaLibrary · Community
Ja 2161 min read

The Fish

Macchajātaka

“’Tis not the fire”—This story the Master told during a stay in Jetavana, about one who hankered after a former wife. The Master asked this Brother, “Is it true, Brother, what I hear, that you are lovesick?” “Yes, Sir.” “For whom?” “For my late wife.” Then the Master said to him: “This wife, Brother, has been the mischief to you. Long ago by her means you came near being spitted and roasted for food, but wise men saved your life.” Then he told a tale of the past.

Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka · Public domain (CC0) via SuttaCentral

  • 0.1Jātaka
  • 0.2Dukanipāta
  • 0.3Bīraṇathambhavagga

0.46. Macchajātaka

1.1PTS 2.178“Na māyamaggi tapati,1.2na sūlo sādhutacchito;1.3Yañca maṁ maññate macchī,1.4aññaṁ so ratiyā gato.

2.1So maṁ dahati rāgaggi,2.2cittaṁ cūpatapeti maṁ;2.3Jālino muñcathāyirā maṁ,2.4na kāme haññate kvacī”ti.

3.1Macchajātakaṁ chaṭṭhaṁ.