Kings and brahmins; mokṣa; jātaka; Māra; Mahābhārata; fable
摘要
‘The dialogue between a cat and a mouse’ (Mārjāramūṣakasaṃvāda) is an animal fable used in the Mahābhārata to provide instruction in statecraft (nīti). This article argues that the Mahābhārata version of this tale must be based on an earlier soteriological allegory about a brahmin who provides spiritual liberation to a king in exchange for protection. The Mārjāramūṣakasaṃvāda abounds in terms and phrases that, in addition to their everyday meanings, have a technical or typical usage in the ascetic traditions of Ancient India. Moreover, the conversation between the cat and the mouse resembles that between a teacher and a disciple, rather than a discussion of a possible alliance between two kings. The hunter of the Mārjāramūṣakasaṃvāda can be identified with the Buddhist Māra. To support the plausibility of this soteriological reading, the article includes a discussion of Buddhist jātakas with a similar plot.
目次
Abstract 661 Keywords 661 Narrative and didactic elements of the story 663 Plot summary 663 On the parts of the story 664 Why do the predators leave twice? 664 The alliance between the cat and the mouse: ordinary and soteriological language 665 On being nirvṛta 665 Crossing over 665 Student and teacher 666 On prasāda 667 Becoming a minister? 667 The four animals 668 The mouse 669 The cat 670 The mongoose 671 The owl 671 The hunter 673 The description of the hunter 673 On āmiṣa 675 Hunter’s name 675 Escaping death 675 Māra and saviour animals in Buddhist jātakas 676 The Kakkarajātaka of the Pali canon and the Śakuntakajātaka no. 2 of the Mahāvastu 679 A delay in liberation 681 Buddhist narratives of Brahmanical decline 681 Conclusion 683 Acknowledgements 684 Conflicts of interest 684
