-
Haritamāta Jātaka (No. 239)
The Bodhisatta was once born as a Green Frog. A water
snake, looking for fish, fell into a wicker cage set by men to catch fish. The
fishes, seeing the snake, bit him till he fled, dripping with blood. Exhausted,
he lay on the edge of the water. Seeing the Green Frog at the mouth of the cage,
the snake asked him if the fish had done right in attacking him. "Why not?"
asked the Frog; "you eat fish which get into your place and they eat you when
you get into theirs." The fish, hearing this, fell upon the snake and did him to
death.
The story was related in reference to Ajātasattu’s war
with Pasenadi. When he was victorious, Ajātasattu showed great delight, but when
he lost he was quite downcast. The snake is identified with
Ajātasattu.
J.ii.237-39.

|