It is impossible to identify a general theme in the stories presented in this article. They include versions of some avadānas, jātakas, and tales of Mara, who seduced the Buddha. This time the Buddha appears in one of his earlier incarnations as a rishi. One should note the plot, common to many Indian myths about the gods: the leader of the gods, Indra, fears that an excessively dedicated rishi will displace the head god through his pious feats and chastity. A number of stories describe the path various people took to the Buddha’s teaching, including a Brahman and a simple shepherd. The Buddha gradually leads them through several reincarnations, each time bringing them closer to accepting the teaching.
The plot specifics of the stories are detailed in the commentaries.