Samugga Jataka: The Demon and His Love

In the Samugga Jataka, the Bodhisatta was born as an ascetic living in the Himalayas. Not far from his dwelling, a demon lived, who, though occasionally listening to the Bodhisatta’s teachings, still clung to his violent ways, preying on travelers and eating men. One day, while attacking a chariot, the demon was struck by an overwhelming emotion—love at first sight. The beautiful noblewoman inside the chariot caught his eye, and he decided to abduct her.

The demon took the woman to his cave, where he provided for her with robes, jewelry, and delicious food. To ensure her safety, he placed her in a box, which he then swallowed and stored in his stomach, believing this would protect her.

After some time, while bathing in a river, the demon disgorged the box to allow the woman to bathe as well. Afterward, he let her stay outside for a while. During this time, the woman noticed a magician walking through the air. She silently signaled for him to join her, and he descended. With the demon still in the water, the woman cleverly hid the magician inside the box by lying on top of him, using her robe to conceal him.

When the demon returned, unaware of the magician’s presence, he swallowed the box again and started walking back to his cave. As he walked, he reflected on how long it had been since he had visited the Bodhisatta. Curious to see the ascetic again, he decided to pay him a visit.

The Bodhisatta, through his supernatural powers, knew exactly what the demon had inside him. Upon the demon’s arrival, the Bodhisatta greeted him, saying, “Welcome to all three of you.” The demon was baffled and asked the Bodhisatta why he had said this. The Bodhisatta then revealed the truth—that both the woman and the magician were inside his stomach. The demon, fearing the magician might use his powers to harm him from within, quickly vomited up the box.

As soon as the box was out of his stomach, the magician cast a spell and sprang into the air, thanking the Bodhisatta for saving his life. The woman and the magician, now freed, left the demon behind, who, in gratitude to the Bodhisatta for saving him, praised him profusely. The demon set both the woman and the magician free, and returned to his cave alone.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha: A Disciple’s Temptation

In the Buddha’s time, one of the Buddha’s disciples began to struggle with the temptation of leaving the sangha to be with a woman. The disciple, tempted by the pleasures of worldly life, felt conflicted about his vow of celibacy and spiritual dedication.

To remind the disciple of the dangers of such desires, the Buddha recounted the Samugga Jataka. In this earlier life, the demon’s obsession with the woman had led him to deceit and violence, and even though he eventually returned to his rightful path, the Buddha used this story to teach that desires for women could be a form of attachment that ultimately leads to suffering.

Through this story, the Buddha conveyed the message that women could be ungrateful and deceptive, and that succumbing to such desires would only result in turmoil. The story of the demon’s affair with the woman and his near destruction by the magician helped convince the disciple to remain in the sangha and avoid worldly distractions.

Moral of the Story:

The Samugga Jataka offers a powerful lesson about the dangers of desire and the unforeseen consequences of indulging in temptation. The demon, blinded by lust, was tricked and ultimately saved by the wisdom and compassion of the Bodhisatta. The woman’s initial act of betrayal and manipulation, as well as the demon’s reaction to his fears of harm, serve as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of unchecked emotions.

The Buddha’s teaching to his disciple reinforces the idea that giving in to worldly desires, especially the desire for women, can lead one down a path of attachment, deceit, and suffering. The Bodhisatta, through his wisdom, not only saved the demon from his own folly but also served as a reminder that true freedom and peace come from overcoming desires and attachments, rather than indulging them.

The story shows that sometimes, wise intervention can provide a way out of the consequences of temptation, and that virtuous living—whether through ascetic practices or spiritual discipline—is the true path to liberation.