A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s6.t3.108

v2.c19.s6.t3.108

“Even in former births the Lord had shown his spontaneous and highest affectionateness towards all creatures, and had identified himself with all beings. Therefore one must cherish the greatest love for Buddha the Lord. Thus for instance, the following great feat of the Lord in a former birth is related, a deed which is praised by my revered teacher, a worshipper of the three jewels, who satisfied his teacher with his wisdom and virtue, and was a past master in the investigation of the virtues. At that time the Bodhisattva, who afterwards became the Lord, who in fulfilment of his extraordinary promises, had mercy on the world by gifts, words of love, acts of help, and other faultless streams of pity gushing forth from wisdom and love, was reborn in a very learned, powerful Brahman family, devoted to the fulfilment of their duties, and distinguished for the purity of their conduct." He grew up, and soon gained great mastery in all arts and sciences. Great wealth and honours fell to his lot. But he took no pleasure in the worldly life, and he soon retired into solitude. He lived in the forest as a pious hermit. One day, accompanied only by a pupil, he was wandering about on the hills. Then he saw in a rock cave a young tigress, exhausted by hunger, about to devour her young ones, which approached her confidingly for the milk in her udders.