Svarthabhedana: Exposing Selfishness

Revealing hidden motives

Two tales revealing those who hide selfishness behind noble appearances. The Cat's Pilgrimage exposes a predator pretending to be holy, while The Greedy Brahmin shows how selfish intent eventually reveals itself.

The Cat's Pilgrimage

By the banks of the river lived many mice. They were fat and happy, with plenty of grain to eat from the nearby farms.

One day, a cat arrived. But this was no ordinary cat. He wore a garland of beads. He had ash marks on his forehead. He stood on one leg near the river, eyes closed, as if in deep meditation.

"Who is that?" the mice whispered.

"He's a holy cat," said the eldest mouse. "Look at him meditating! He must have given up eating meat. He's on a spiritual pilgrimage!"

The younger mice were suspicious, but the elders believed.

Soon, a mouse approached the cat. "Great sage, we are honored by your presence. Please, tell us about your spiritual journey."

The cat opened one eye. "Ah, little friend. Yes, I have traveled to many holy places. I have given up the ways of violence. I eat only leaves and fruits now. I seek only peace."

The mice were impressed. Day after day, they would come to sit near the 'holy' cat, listening to his stories of temples and saints.

But every morning, the mice noticed something strange: their numbers were fewer.

"Where is Chotu?" a mouse asked one day.

"Didn't he go to sit with the holy cat last night?"

A young mouse named Chuha had been watching carefully. He noticed the cat's belly growing rounder each day. He noticed mice disappearing after their 'spiritual sessions' with the cat.

"This cat is no saint!" Chuha announced. "His belly is full of our brothers! Count - we've lost twenty mice since he arrived!"

The cat, realizing his trick was discovered, tried to run. But the mice surrounded him.