The Loyal Friends: The Antelope, Woodpecker, and Turtle

In the Kurunga-Miga Jataka, the Bodhisatta is born as an antelope living in a forest near a lake. He has two close friends: a woodpecker and a turtle. One night, the Bodhisatta becomes caught in a noose trap set by a hunter. His loyal friends quickly come to his aid. The turtle begins gnawing through the leather straps of the trap, while the woodpecker flies off to the hunter’s home to buy them extra time.

As dawn breaks, the hunter leaves his house with a knife in hand, prepared to deal with his catch. However, the woodpecker sees him coming and flies into his face, a tactic meant to delay the hunter’s departure. The hunter takes this as a bad omen and decides to go back inside to rest. Trying to outwit the bird, the hunter sneaks out the back door, but the woodpecker is already there and strikes him in the face again, ensuring further delay.

The woodpecker keeps watch until after sunrise, signaling to the Bodhisatta and the turtle that the hunter is now on his way. Just as the hunter arrives, the turtle finishes gnawing through the last strap, allowing the Bodhisatta to escape into the forest. But the exhausted turtle, with his mouth smeared in blood, is too weak to move, and the hunter catches him and puts him into a bag.

To save his friend, the Bodhisatta pretends to be weak and allows the hunter to see him. The hunter pursues him, thinking the antelope is slow and easy prey. However, once he is far enough away from the turtle, the Bodhisatta bolts into the forest at full speed. He soon finds the turtle in the bag and frees him. By the time the hunter returns, all three friends have escaped.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the Lifetime of the Buddha, the hunter is identified as Devadatta, a disciple who became the Buddha’s nemesis. Devadatta had made plans to kill the Buddha, and when his disciples were concerned about the danger, the Buddha shared this story to show that Devadatta had attempted to kill him in the past, in the same way the hunter tried to capture the Bodhisatta.

The woodpecker and turtle in this story are identified as Sariputta and Moggallana, two of the Buddha’s closest and most respected disciples, who were known for their wisdom and miraculous powers. In this past life, they had also shown great loyalty and cleverness in helping the Bodhisatta, just as they did in the Buddha’s time.

Moral Lessons and Teachings

1. Friendship and Loyalty: The Kurunga-Miga Jataka emphasizes the value of true friendship and loyalty. The Bodhisatta’s friends, the woodpecker and the turtle, worked tirelessly to save him, despite the danger to their own lives. Their actions demonstrate how loyalty and selflessness in friendships can overcome obstacles and even life-threatening situations.
2. Cleverness and Strategy: The woodpecker’s cleverness in delaying the hunter with his antics is a reminder of the importance of using wisdom and strategy in difficult situations. By recognizing the hunter as a threat and using timely action, the woodpecker helped to buy valuable time for his friends.
3. Sacrifice for the Greater Good: The Bodhisatta’s decision to pretend to be weak to lead the hunter away from the turtle is an example of sacrifice for the greater good. By temporarily putting himself in danger, he ensured the safety of his friend, the turtle, showing a selfless attitude that reflects the ideals of compassion and concern for others.
4. The Importance of Timing and Patience: The story also illustrates the value of patience and knowing the right timing. The woodpecker’s decision to wait for the hunter to leave and the Bodhisatta’s careful escape plan reflect how being patient and acting at the right moment can be key to success.
5. The Theme of Liberation: The Bodhisatta’s act of freeing the turtle from the hunter’s bag parallels the idea of liberation and freedom from suffering. Just as the Bodhisatta frees his friend, the Buddha frees his followers from the bonds of craving and ignorance, helping them reach spiritual liberation.

Conclusion

The Kurunga-Miga Jataka teaches lessons of loyalty, selflessness, and wisdom in the face of danger. Through the actions of the Bodhisatta and his friends, the story highlights how true friendship involves sacrifice, strategic thinking, and the willingness to help others at all costs. The Buddha used this story to remind his disciples of the importance of selfless action and compassion, qualities that should guide their behavior toward others in both mundane and spiritual matters.