Vaṭṭakajātaka
“With, wings that fly not.”—This story was told by the Master, whilst on an alms-pilgrimage through Magadha, about the going-out of a jungle fire.
Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka · Public domain (CC0) via SuttaCentral
1.1PTS 1.214“Santi pakkhā apatanā,I have wings that do not fly!11.2santi pādā avañcanā;I have feet that do not walk!1.3Mātāpitā ca nikkhantā,Mother and father have fled!1.4jātaveda paṭikkamā”ti.Jātaveda the fire: go back!2
2.1Vaṭṭakajātakaṁ pañcamaṁ.
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.
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”.
