The Tittira Jataka: Wisdom in Silence and Thoughtful Speech

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was an ascetic with many followers in the Himalayas. One day, one of his followers, a jaundiced man, was chopping wood. Another ascetic, eager to offer unsolicited advice, repeatedly told him how to improve his technique. The jaundiced ascetic, frustrated by the constant meddling, lost his temper and, in a fit of rage, struck the talkative ascetic with his axe, killing him.

After burying the body, the Bodhisatta noticed that a partridge, whose song he greatly enjoyed, had stopped singing. Upon investigating, he learned that a hunter had shot the bird. The Bodhisatta then remarked to those around him that both the ascetic and the bird had perished because of excessive talking. He explained that the meddling ascetic’s constant chatter had provoked the other to violence, and the bird’s life was taken because it sang too loudly and attracted the hunter’s attention. The Bodhisatta used this incident to emphasize the dangers of excessive speech.

The Buddha’s Teaching

In the time of the Buddha, there was a disciple named Cula Kokalika, who was known for his greed and tendency to speak out of turn. Sariputta and Moggallana, two of the Buddha’s foremost disciples, had spent a rainy season at Cula Kokalika’s home, with strict instructions not to tell anyone of their presence. After they left, Cula Kokalika, unable to contain his pride, boasted to the local people about the great disciples who had stayed with him.

The people, eager to show their respect, gathered food and offerings to present to Sariputta and Moggallana. However, knowing that the two disciples were frugal and would not accept gifts, Cula Kokalika expected the donations to be given to him. When the offerings were refused, he became angry.

Later, when Sariputta and Moggallana returned to Cula Kokalika’s town on an alms pilgrimage, the people greeted them warmly and made offerings. Cula Kokalika, feeling insulted that he was excluded from receiving anything, lashed out in anger, insulting the disciples. This caused the disciples to leave the town, and the people were forced to urge him to resolve the conflict or face the loss of his home. Cula Kokalika attempted to appease them but failed.

His anger eventually led him to the Buddha, where he continued to speak ill of Sariputta and Moggallana, even after being rebuked by the Buddha. As he spoke, painful boils appeared on his body, and he fell into agonizing pain. Despite the intervention of his former teacher, who came down from heaven to advise him, Cula Kokalika refused to let go of his anger. In the end, he died and was reborn in hell.

Moral of the Story

The Tittira Jataka teaches the danger of excessive and unrestrained speech. Just as the Bodhisatta used the story of the ascetic and the bird to show how unnecessary words can bring harm, the Buddha pointed out that Cula Kokalika’s downfall was also caused by his incessant talking and inability to control his anger. His words led to conflict, frustration, and, ultimately, his own destruction.

The story emphasizes the importance of silence and thoughtfulness in speech. The Bodhisatta’s wisdom in this previous life highlighted how careful, measured words can prevent harm, while excessive speech—especially when it is driven by greed, pride, or anger—can lead to negative consequences. The Buddha used this story to warn his disciples of the destructive power of harmful speech and the importance of cultivating mindfulness in communication.