Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c12.2877

v1.c12.2877

Kuhakabrāhmaṇa Vatthu.—A certain brahmin would climb a tree, grasp a branch with his feet and, swinging head downwards like a bat, demand pennies, etc., from passers by, threatening to kill himself and destroy the city if his request were refused. The Buddha hearing of this related a Jātaka story in which a false ascetic, having received some lizard meat, liked it and wished for more. He lay in wait for the king of the lizards when the latter came to pay his respects to him in order to kill him, but the lizard-king, suspecting him, escaped, reproaching him for his hypocrisy.¹