Ja 62 The Story about being Inexperienced
(Aṇḍabhūtajātaka)
In the present a monk is driven by lust to renouce the celibate life. To deter him the Buddha tells a story of a past life in which a young girl, even though brought up in seclusion from birth, still managed to trick her husband and take a lover (full story).
1. Yaṁ brāhmaṇo avādesi vīṇaṁ samukhaveṭhito,
Aṇḍabhūtā bhatā bhariyā, tāsu ko jātu vissase ti?
That brahmin who, with a veil that covered his face, played the lute, supported his inexperienced wife, who could have faith in these?
In this connection, that brahmin who, with a veil that covered his face, played the lute, for whatever reason the brahmin, after covering his face with a thick cloth, played the lute, and for that reason he does not know, this is the meaning. She did it thus, desiring to deceive him. But the brahmin, not understanding the woman’s great deceitfulness, having faith in the woman, had the perception: “She is being shy with me.” Explaining his ignorance, the king spoke thus, this is the intention here.
Supported his inexperienced wife, the being who from before the time of leaving the mother’s womb has been reared, brought up, supported or nourished, this is the meaning.
Who is she? Wife means spouse, one who follows in his footsteps. This compound could also mean one who attends on or at his feet. Because she should be supported with food, clothes and so on; or, because she is supported from being one without restraint regarding worldly conditions, therefore: “Bhariyā,” Meaning literally one who is supported. is said.
Who could have faith in these? Although protected from their start in the mother’s womb, in those wives such a change was brought about. Who is called a wise man, sure in faith, who would have the faith: “She is unchanged towards me?” this is the meaning. Because of not understanding the true Dhamma, amongst his advisors, hosts, a woman is indeed impossible to protect.