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 566 <strong>Vessantara</strong>-Jåtaka<br />
[Fausbøll, Jåtaka, vol. VI, p. 566]<br />
"In hills, woods, caves I cannot see by whom their death has come:<br />
The very ravens do not caw, the very birds are dumb."<br />
Then Maddī, dame of high renown, pr<strong>in</strong>cess of royal birth,<br />
Lament<strong>in</strong>g with her arms outstretcht fell down upon the earth."<br />
"She's dead!" thought the Great Be<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>and</strong> trembled. "Ah, this is no place for Maddī to<br />
die! Had she died <strong>in</strong> Jetuttara city, great pomp there would have been, two k<strong>in</strong>gdoms<br />
would have quaked. But I am alone <strong>in</strong> the forest, <strong>and</strong> what can I do?" Great trouble came<br />
upon him; then recover<strong>in</strong>g himself somewhat, he determ<strong>in</strong>ed to do what he could. Ris<strong>in</strong>g<br />
up he laid a h<strong>and</strong> on her heart, <strong>and</strong> felt it to be still warm: he brought water <strong>in</strong> a pitcher,<br />
<strong>and</strong> although for seven months past he had not touched her body, <strong>in</strong> his distress he could<br />
no longer keep to the ascetic's part, but with tears <strong>in</strong> his eyes he raised her head <strong>and</strong> laid it<br />
upon his lap, spr<strong>in</strong>kl<strong>in</strong>g it with water, <strong>and</strong> chaf<strong>in</strong>g her face <strong>and</strong> bosom as he sat. Then<br />
Maddī after a little while rega<strong>in</strong>s her senses, <strong>and</strong>, ris<strong>in</strong>g up <strong>in</strong> confusion, does obeisance<br />
to the Great Be<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>and</strong> asks, "My lord <strong>Vessantara</strong>, where are the children gone?" "I have<br />
given them," says he, "to a brahm<strong>in</strong>." The Master thus expla<strong>in</strong>ed it:<br />
"He spr<strong>in</strong>kled her with water as she fell down fa<strong>in</strong>t as dead,<br />
And when she had come back aga<strong>in</strong> to consciousness, he said":—