The Story of Kalayakkhini
While residing at the Jetavana monastery in Savatthi, the Buddha uttered Verse (5) of this book, concerning a certain woman who was barren, and her rival.
Once there lived a householder, whose wife was barren; later he took another wife. The feud started when the elder wife caused the abortion of the other one, who eventually died in childbirth. In later existences the two were reborn as a hen and a cat; a doe and a leopardess; and finally as the daughter of a nobleman in Savatthi and an ogress named Kali. The ogress (Kalayakkhini) was in hot pursuit of the lady with the baby when the latter learned that the Buddha was nearby, giving a religious discourse at the Jetavana monastery. She fled to him and placed her son at his feet for protection. The ogress was stopped at the door by the guardian spirit of the monastery and was refused admission. She was later called in and both the lady and the ogress were reprimanded by the Buddha. The Buddha told them about their past feuds as rival wives of a common husband, as a cat and a hen, and as a doe and a leopardess. They were made to see that hatred could only cause more hatred, and that it could only cease through friendship, understanding and goodwill.
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
Na hi verena Verani
sammantidha kudacanam
averena ca the same anti
esa dhammo sanantano.
Verse 5: Hatred is, indeed, never appeased by hatred in this world. It is appeased only by loving-kindness. This is an ancient law.
At the end of the discourse, the ogress(Yakkini) was established in Sotapatti Fruition and the long-standing feud came to an end.
- For those who don’t know the Yakkhas are demons. Yakkhas usually have a violent and bloodthirsty temperament towards humans. If a person has a violent and vengeful temperament despite performing good deeds or Kusulas, they may be reborn as a Yakkha or Yakkhini (in the case of a female). These beings possess Iddhis, and they are an integral part of the first paradise of Kāma loka (Catumaharajika). There are also Yakkhas who live in the Apayas and they can’t understand Tilakkhana.
- However, some Yakkhas have been known to become kind to others after exposure to the Dhamma, and they can even become Sotāpanna, as with Kalayakkhini and Alavaka. Despite their past unwholesome acts, they have accumulated enough Kusulas to become sotāpanna, and they will never engage in such behaviour again. A sotāpanna refrains from vengeful acts, recognizing their futility.
- This story highlights that sometimes we can develop attachments or strong feelings towards others due to the influence of Dosa (aversion). This is evident when we find ourselves disliking someone for no apparent reason, even if we have just met them. The root of this negativity towards others lies in a past kammic connection.
- For more information see the Āṭānāṭiyasutta Sutta. In this sutta, the 4 kings of the first heaven come with Yakkhas and other beings to pay homage to Lord Buddha and recite protection against the malicious influence of evil Yakkhas, for the benefit of lay people and bhikkhus.
So I have heard.
Evaṁ me sutaṁ
At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain.
ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati gijjhakūṭe pabbate.
Then, late at night, the Four Great Kings—with large armies of spirits, centaurs, goblins(Yakkha), and dragons—set guards, troops, and wards at the four quarters and then, lighting up the entire Vulture’s Peak with their beauty, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side.
Atha kho cattāro mahārājā mahatiyā ca yakkhasenāya mahatiyā ca gandhabbasenāya mahatiyā ca kumbhaṇḍasenāya mahatiyā ca nāgasenāya catuddisaṁ rakkhaṁ ṭhapetvā catuddisaṁ gumbaṁ ṭhapetvā catuddisaṁ ovaraṇaṁ ṭhapetvā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ gijjhakūṭaṁ pabbataṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.
“Mendicants, learn the Āṭānāṭiya protection!
Uggaṇhātha, bhikkhave, āṭānāṭiyaṁ rakkhaṁ.
Memorize the Āṭānāṭiya protection!
Pariyāpuṇātha, bhikkhave, āṭānāṭiyaṁ rakkhaṁ.
Remember the Āṭānāṭiya protection!
Dhāretha, bhikkhave, āṭānāṭiyaṁ rakkhaṁ.
The Āṭānāṭiya protection is beneficial, and is for the guarding, protection, safety, and comfort of the monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen.”
Atthasaṁhitā, bhikkhave, āṭānāṭiyā rakkhā bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ upāsakānaṁ upāsikānaṁ guttiyā rakkhāya avihiṁsāya phāsuvihārāyā”ti.