Vessantara-Jataka in Pali and English - MyWebSpace
Vessantara-Jataka in Pali and English - MyWebSpace
Vessantara-Jataka in Pali and English - MyWebSpace
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Translation 532 <strong>Vessantara</strong>-Jåtaka<br />
[Fausbøll, Jåtaka, vol. VI, p. 532]<br />
Straight onward to a hermitage the pathway there will lead,<br />
Where Accata a hermit dwells, black-tooth'd, with dirty head,<br />
With brahm<strong>in</strong> dress, with hook <strong>and</strong> spoon, the ascetic's matted hair,<br />
Sk<strong>in</strong>clad he lies upon the ground <strong>and</strong> tends the fire with care:<br />
Go thither, ask the way of him, <strong>and</strong> he will give you speed."<br />
When this he heard, the brahm<strong>in</strong> walked round Ceta towards the right,<br />
And went <strong>in</strong> search of Accata, his heart <strong>in</strong> high delight.<br />
Then Bhāradvāja 1 went along until he came anigh<br />
Unto the hermit's place, to whom he spake thus courteously:<br />
"O holy man, I trust that you are prosperous <strong>and</strong> well, 2<br />
With gra<strong>in</strong> to glean <strong>and</strong> roots <strong>and</strong> fruit abundant where you dwell.<br />
Have you been much by flies <strong>and</strong> gnats <strong>and</strong> creep<strong>in</strong>g th<strong>in</strong>gs annoyed,<br />
Or from wild beasts of prey have you immunity enjoyed?"<br />
The ascetic said:<br />
"I thank you, brahm<strong>in</strong>—yes, I am both prosperous <strong>and</strong> well,<br />
With gra<strong>in</strong> to eat <strong>and</strong> roots <strong>and</strong> fruit abundant where I dwell.<br />
From flies <strong>and</strong> gnats <strong>and</strong> creep<strong>in</strong>g th<strong>in</strong>gs I suffer not annoy,<br />
And from wild beasts of prey I here immunity enjoy.<br />
In all the <strong>in</strong>numerable years I've lived upon this ground,<br />
No harmful sickness that I know has ever here been found.<br />
Welcome, O brahm<strong>in</strong>! bless the chance directed you this way,<br />
Come enter with a bless<strong>in</strong>g, come, <strong>and</strong> wash your feet I pray.<br />
The t<strong>in</strong>dook <strong>and</strong> the piyal leaves, <strong>and</strong> kāsumārī sweet,<br />
And fruits like honey, brahm<strong>in</strong>, take the best I have, <strong>and</strong> eat,<br />
And this cool water from a cave high hidden on a hill,<br />
O noble brahm<strong>in</strong>, take of it, dr<strong>in</strong>k if it be your will."<br />
Jūjaka said:<br />
1 I.e., Jūjaka.<br />
2 This <strong>and</strong> several follow<strong>in</strong>g l<strong>in</strong>es occur <strong>in</strong> a substantially similar form <strong>in</strong> <strong>Jataka</strong> No. 503<br />
(Fausbøll, vol. IV, p. 434; Cowell, vol. IV. p. 270) <strong>and</strong> <strong>Jataka</strong> No. 532 (Fausbøll, vol. V,<br />
p. 323; Cowell, vol. V. pp. 170-171).