Vessantara-Jataka in Pali and English - MyWebSpace

Translation 527 Vessantara-Jåtaka
[Fausbøll, Jåtaka, vol. VI, p. 527]
Now the man who had been set to watch, who was ranging the woods as a forester, heard
this lamentable outcry; and thought he—"Here is a brahmin crying out about Vessantara's
dwelling-place; he cannot be here for any good purpose. He will ask for Maddī or the
children, no doubt. Well, I will kill him." So he approached the man, and as he drew his
bow, threatened him with the words—"Brahmin, I will not spare your life!"
Explaining this, the Master said:
"The hunter ranging in the wood heard this lament, and said:
"By such as you he's ruined; for by giving, giving still,
He's banisht out of all the realm and dwells in Vaṁka hill.
By such as you he's ruined; for by giving, giving still,
He took his wife and children and now dwells in Vaṁka hill.
A good-for-nothing fool you are, if leaving home you wish
To seek the prince in forests, like a crane that seeks a fish.
Therefore, my worthy man, I will not spare your life; and so
My arrow now shall drink your blood when shot from out my bow.
I'll split your head, tear out your heart and liver in a trice,
Like birds to spirits of the road I'll make you sacrifice.
I'll take your flesh, I'll take your fat, I'll take your heart and head,
And you shall be a sacrifice 1 as soon as you are dead.
You'll be a welcome sacrifice, a goodly offering;
And then you'll not destroy the wife and children of the king."
1 Reading āhutiṁ. (Cf. Skt.)