Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c24.34

v1.c24.34

6. Dhataraṭṭha.—The family of hamsas to which belonged Dhataraṭṭha, king of the hamsas. The members of this family are called Dhataraṭṭhā. They were golden-coloured and lived in Cittakūṭa. The Mahā-Sutasoma Jātaka¹ contains a story of the complete destruction of these hamsas. They lived in Kañcanaguhā, and during the four months of the rainy season would not leave their cave, in case their wings should be drenched with water and they fell into the sea. A spider, as big as a cartwheel, used to weave a thick web at the entrance to the cave, but the Dhataraṭṭha geese sent one of their young ones, who had received two portions of food, to cut through the web. One season, however, the rains lasted for four months, and the hamsas became cannibals and thus lost their strength. When, at the end of the rains, they tried to break through the web, they failed, and the spider cut off their heads one by one and drank their blood. This was the end of the Dhataraṭṭha hamsas.