Ja 237 The Story about (the Brahmin) Sāketa
(Sāketajātaka)
In the present an old brahmin greets the Buddha as his son, and calling his wife she too talks about him as her son. The Buddha tells how those who have been dear to each other in previous lives are dear also in their present lives.
1. Ko nu kho Bhagavā hetu, ekacce idha puggale,
Atīva hadayaṁ nibbāti, cittañ-cāpi pasīdatī ti?
What is the reason, Bhagavā, some people here, have a heart extremely cool, and a mind of faith?
This is the meaning: what is the reason why at the exact moment some people were seen here the heart is extremely cool, is cool like someone sprinkled with a thousand pots of cool well-perfumed water, and some are not cool? Some at the exact moment have a heart that is faithful, that is pliable, that is steadfast This word more usually have a negative connotation, adheres, clings to, sticks to, but here is used as a synonym of pasīdati. through love, and some are not steadfast?
2. Pubbeva sannivāsena paccuppannahitena vā,
Evaṁ taṁ jāyate pemaṁ, uppalaṁ va yathodake ti.
Through living together in the past or being beneficial in the present, in this way love arises, like a water-lily arises on the water.
This is the meaning: monastics, what is known as love arises because of two reasons, through being in the past a mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife, companion or friend, he who lived together with another in the past, for him this is through living together in the past, being bound together between existences, does not give up his affection.
In this individuality by being beneficial in the present in this way love arises, these are the two reasons what is called love arises.
Like what? Like a water-lily arises on the water. This is said to have the meaning of a collection, therefore just as a water-lily and the rest of the water-born flowers born on the water, are born depending on these two reasons: water and mud, so these are the two reasons for love to arise, so should the meaning be seen here.