Vessantara-Jataka in Pali and English - MyWebSpace

Translation 563 Vessantara-Jåtaka
[Fausbøll, Jåtaka, vol. VI, p. 563]
"My husband and my children I have tended day and night,
As pupil tends a teacher, when he tries to do the right.
In goatskins clothed, wild roots and fruits I from the forest brought,
And every day and every night for your convenience sought.
I brought you yellow vilva fruit, my little girl and boy,
And many a ripe woodland fruit, to play and make you joy.
This lotus root and lotus stalk, of golden yellow hue,
Join with your little ones, O prince, and eat your portion too.
Give the white lily to your girl, to Jāli give the blue,
And see them dance in garlands deckt: O call them, Sivi, do!
O mighty monarch! lend an ear while with delightful sound
Kaṇhājinā sings sweetly, and enters our settling-ground.
Since we were banisht, joy and woe in common shared has been:
O answer! my Kaṇhājinā and Jāli hast thou seen?
How many holy brahmins I must have offended sore,
Of holy life, and virtuous, and full of sacred lore,
That Jāli and Kaṇhājinā I cannot see to-day!"