A woman, carrying her child, went to the future Buddha’s tank to wash. And, having first bathed the child, she put on her upper garment and descended into the water to bathe herself. Then, a yakshini, seeing the child, had a craving to eat it. Taking the form of a woman, she drew near, and asked:
“Friend, this is a very pretty child. Is it one of yours?” When she was told it was, she asked if she might nurse it. This being allowed, she nursed it a little and then carried it off.
But when the mother saw this, she ran after her and cried out: “Where are you taking my child ?” and caught hold of her. The yakshini boldly said that, “Where did you get the child from? It is mine!”
And so quarrelling, they passed the door of the future Buddha’s judgment hall. He heard the noise, sent for them, inquired into the matter, and asked them whether they would abide by his decision. They agreed.
He had a line drawn on the ground, and told the yakshini to take hold of the child’s arms and the mother to take hold of its legs. He said: “The child shall be hers who drags him over the line.”
But as soon as they pulled at him, the mother, seeing how he suffered, grieved as if her heart would break. Letting him go, she stood there weeping. The future Buddha asked the bystanders: “Whose hearts are tender to a baby? Those who have borne children, or those who have not?”
They answered: “Oh sire! The hearts of mothers are tender.”
Then he said: “Who, think you, is the mother? She who has the child in her arms, or she who has let go?”
They answered: “She who has let go is the mother.”
He then said: “Do you all think that the other was the thief?”
They answered: “Sire! We cannot tell.”
He said: “Verily, this is a yakshini, who took the child to eat it.”
He replied: “Because her eyes winked not, and we’re red, and she knew no fear, and had no pity, I knew it.” And so saying, he demanded of the thief: “Who are you?”
She said: “Lord! I am a yakshini.”
He asked: “Why did you take away this child?”
She said: “I thought to eat him, oh my lord!”
He rebuked her by saying: “Oh foolish woman! For your former sins you have been born a yakshini, and now do you still sin!” He laid a vow upon her, to keep the five commandments and let her go.
But, the mother of the child exalted the future Buddha, and said: “Oh my Lord! Oh great physician! May your life be long!” She went away, with her baby clasped to her bosom.