Uluka Jataka: The Battle Between Crows and Owls

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was born as a goose. In the Himalayas, animals and humans had kings, and the birds of the region decided they should elect one of their own. After much discussion, they settled on an owl to be their king. However, before the final vote could be cast, a crow objected to the choice. The crow argued that the owl’s face, even when happy, looked so fearsome that it would scare the other birds when angry. “With a face like that,” the crow said, “we’ll be scattered like sesame seeds on a hot plate!” The crow then took flight, cawing loudly, “I don’t like it! I don’t like it!” This caused the owl to give chase, and a feud erupted between the two.

Seeing the discord caused by the owl and the crow, the birds decided to choose the Bodhisatta as their king instead. He was deemed a more fitting and peaceful choice to lead the bird kingdom.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

The Buddha explained the origin of the bitter feud between crows and owls to his disciples. From the earliest times in the world, crows and owls were mortal enemies. During the day, crows would attack and eat owls, and at night, owls would sneak up on sleeping crows and bite off their heads. This conflict continued through the cycles of the world, and even in the Buddha’s time, the rivalry was still evident.

One of the Buddha’s disciples, who lived near the edge of the monastery, had the unpleasant task of picking up the severed heads of crows every morning. These heads would fall from a tree near his room, the result of ongoing battles between the two species.

Hearing his disciples discuss the many crow heads scattered around the monastery, the Buddha shared this story to explain the origin of the crows’ and owls’ enmity, revealing that the rivalry had existed since ancient times.

Moral of the Story

The Uluka Jataka offers several important lessons:

1. The Consequences of Conflict: The story of the owl and the crow illustrates how disputes and feuds can disrupt harmony and lead to needless violence. The birds’ decision to choose the Bodhisatta as their king represents a shift toward peace and rational leadership over divisiveness and fear.
2. Leadership and Wisdom: The Bodhisatta, in his role as the goose, is shown as a figure of calm and wisdom, able to bring unity and resolve conflicts that others cannot. The story underscores the importance of thoughtful, peaceful leadership in resolving disputes.
3. Inherent Rivalries: The Buddha’s explanation of the longstanding enmity between crows and owls suggests that deep-seated conflicts can span lifetimes and cycles of the world, rooted in primal instincts and histories. However, the Buddha’s teaching offers a way to transcend these inherited struggles through wisdom and compassion.
4. A Lesson on Understanding Differences: The conflict between the crow and the owl also highlights how superficial judgments—such as the crow’s fear of the owl’s appearance—can lead to misunderstandings and unnecessary hostilities. It’s a reminder of the importance of looking beyond surface differences and seeking peaceful resolutions.

This Jataka, with its tale of discord and resolution, speaks to both the complexities of rivalry and the power of wise leadership to bring about change.