Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c6.184

v1.c6.184

Aggika Jātaka (No. 129).—The story of a jackal, who, when his hair is singed by a forest fire, pretends to be a saint of the name of Bhāradvāja and eats the rats that trust him.¹ 1. **Aggika-Bhāradvāja**.—A brahmin of Sāvatthi, of the Bhāradvāja clan. The Buddha, while on his rounds, sees him tending the fire and preparing oblations, and stands for alms in front of his house. The brahmin abuses him, calling him *muṇḍaka* and *vasala*. Thereupon the Buddha preaches to him the *Vasala Sutta* (or, as it is sometimes called, the *Aggika Bhāradvāja Sutta*), and wins him over to the faith.¹ The sobriquet Aggika was given to him because he was a tender of the sacred fire.²