The Golden Crab and the Farmer’s Friendship

Once upon a time, in a quiet village, the Bodhisatta was born as a farmer who worked diligently in the fields. Close to his farm was a peaceful pond, home to a golden crab of remarkable beauty and charm. The Bodhisatta, recognizing the crab’s kindness and uniqueness, befriended the creature. Every day, as he worked in the fields, he would carry the crab in his outer garment and then return it to the pond before heading home at dusk. This simple yet meaningful gesture developed into a deep friendship between the farmer and the crab, built on mutual respect and affection.

The Evil Plot of the Crow and the Snake

In a nearby tree, a she-crow had built her nest. She was envious of the Bodhisatta’s beautiful eyes and longed to eat them. Her desire grew so strong that she shared her plans with her husband, a fellow crow. Together, they devised a wicked scheme to have the farmer killed and steal his eyes. The crow knew that they had a neighbor— a snake—who could help them carry out this malicious plan. She convinced her husband to approach the snake and ask for his help.

The snake, intrigued by the crow’s request, agreed to take part in the plot. He lay in wait for the farmer, preparing to strike. As the Bodhisatta walked along the path one day, the snake bit his leg, causing him to fall to the ground in pain. The she-crow, seeing her chance, perched on the Bodhisatta’s chest and began to peck at his eyes, intending to pluck them out.

The Golden Crab’s Intervention

But as the crow pecked, something extraordinary happened. The golden crab, who had been in the Bodhisatta’s pocket, emerged and saw the crow’s cruel act. With lightning speed, the crab clamped its powerful claws around the crow’s neck, choking it and preventing further harm. The crab then turned its attention to the snake, which had come closer to offer assistance to the crow. With the same swift precision, the crab grabbed the snake by the neck and held it tightly.

The snake, now trapped and struggling for breath, asked the crab why it was attacking him, for snakes and crabs were not natural enemies. The crab replied calmly, saying that the Bodhisatta was his friend, and he was merely defending him from harm. The snake, realizing he was caught, agreed to suck the venom from the Bodhisatta’s leg in exchange for his release. The crab let go of the snake, and the venom was removed, saving the Bodhisatta from further injury.

Despite the snake’s promise to heal the Bodhisatta, the crab knew that the pair— the crow and the snake— would attempt to kill the farmer again. With a swift and deadly strike, the crab crushed both the snake and the crow, ensuring they could no longer harm his friend. From that moment on, the Bodhisatta and the crab’s bond of friendship grew even stronger, and they continued their peaceful lives together.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

The story of the golden crab and the farmer is deeply intertwined with the lives of the Buddha’s disciples. In a previous life, the crab and the crow were reborn as two of the Buddha’s foremost disciples: Ananda, the Buddha’s cousin and constant companion, and Devadatta, who became one of the Buddha’s enemies.

Devadatta, filled with jealousy and pride, repeatedly attempted to kill the Buddha. One of his most infamous schemes was to release a fierce and intoxicated elephant into the street during the Buddha’s morning alms round. The Buddha’s disciples, hearing of the dangerous elephant, were quick to warn the Buddha and advise him not to go to the city. Despite the danger, the Buddha calmly proceeded on his alms round as he always did, without fear or hesitation.

As the elephant rampaged, the Buddha’s eighty chief elders were ready to sacrifice themselves to protect him. However, the Buddha instructed them not to interfere. Ananda, who was deeply devoted to the Buddha, could not bear the thought of his master being harmed. Despite the Buddha’s repeated commands for him to step aside, Ananda remained steadfast, determined to place himself between the Buddha and the elephant.

Seeing Ananda’s devotion, the Buddha used his supernatural powers to move Ananda behind him. As the elephant charged, it saw the Buddha’s glorious form and, in an instant, fell to the ground in worship. The elephant’s violent nature was pacified, and from that moment on, the creature never harmed anyone again.

Later, the Buddha shared this story with his disciples, revealing that Ananda’s unwavering love and dedication for him had been displayed even in past lives. The story of the golden crab and the farmer was told to illustrate how Ananda had risked his life for the Buddha before, just as he had done in this life to protect him from harm.

The she-crow and the snake were reborn as Mara, the demon who embodies the forces of temptation and distraction that seek to thwart the path to enlightenment, and Cinca-Manavika, a woman who falsely claimed that the Buddha had impregnated her, seeking to discredit him.

Lessons from the Story

The story of the golden crab, the Bodhisatta, and the cruel crow and snake teaches us several profound moral lessons:

1. The Value of Friendship: The deep bond between the farmer and the golden crab demonstrates the importance of friendship and loyalty. True friends stand by one another, even in the face of danger, and they protect each other from harm.
2. Defending the Innocent: The golden crab’s actions show that it is not enough to be kind to our friends; we must also be ready to defend them when they are in danger. The crab’s swift intervention prevented the crow and the snake from achieving their cruel goal.
3. The Power of Devotion: Ananda’s willingness to risk his life for the Buddha highlights the power of devotion and love. It is a reminder that our spiritual connections can lead us to act with courage and selflessness, even in the face of great risk.
4. The Consequences of Jealousy and Hatred: The crow and the snake, driven by envy and malice, ultimately meet their demise. Their story serves as a warning against the destructive power of jealousy and hatred, which leads to harm not only for others but also for the one who harbors such emotions.
5. The Role of Wisdom in Overcoming Evil: The Buddha’s calm and wise response to Devadatta’s schemes demonstrates the power of wisdom in overcoming evil. No matter how powerful or dangerous the forces of destruction may seem, wisdom and virtue always prevail in the end.

Final Thought

The story of the golden crab and the farmer reminds us that true friendship and loyalty are invaluable treasures in life. It teaches us that we should stand by those we care about and be ready to defend them when needed. Additionally, the story illustrates the destructive consequences of jealousy, hatred, and malice, while also highlighting the strength that comes from devotion, love, and wisdom. As we navigate our own lives, may we strive to cultivate these virtues, protecting and caring for those around us with the same steadfastness and compassion shown by the golden crab.