Ja 49 The Story about the Constellations
(Nakkhattajātaka)
In the present a family agrees to marry their son off and picks a day, then asks their family ascetic if it is auspicious. Peeved that they didn’t consult him before setting the day, he tells them it is inauspicious. The other family, disappointed on the day, marry her off to another. The Buddha hearing of it, tells how the same thing had happened to the same people in a past life (full story).
1. Nakkhattaṁ patimānentaṁ attho bālaṁ upaccagā,
Attho atthassa nakkhattaṁ, kiṁ karissanti tārakā ti?
While waiting on his lucky stars, benefit passes the fool by, benefit is benefit’s lucky star, what can the stars achieve?
In this connection, while waiting, looking round, thinking: “Now there will be lucky stars, now there will be lucky stars,” while waiting.
Benefit passes the fool by, benefit, such as receiving this girl, is passing this city-dwelling fool by.
Benefit is benefit’s lucky star means whoever lives seeking good, he receives back good, which is known as benefit’s lucky star.
What can the stars achieve means what can the stars in the sky do? Which benefit actually succeeds? this is the meaning.