Vessantara-Jataka in Pali and English - MyWebSpace

Translation 567 Vessantara-Jåtaka
[Fausbøll, Jåtaka, vol. VI, p. 567]
She asked him, "My dear, if you had given the children to a brahmin, why did you let me
go weeping about all night, without saying a word?" The Great Being replied:
"I did not speak at once, because I shrank to cause you pain.
A poor old brahmin came to beg, and so, of giving fain,
I gave the children: do not fear, O Maddī! breathe again.
O Maddī, do not grieve too sore, but set your eyes on me:
We'll get them back alive once more, and happy shall we be.
Good men should ever give when asked, sons, cattle, wealth, and grain.
Maddī, rejoice! a greater gift than children cannot be."
Maddī replied:
"I do rejoice! a greater gift than children cannot be.
By giving set your mind at rest; pray do the like again:
For you, the mighty fostering king of all the Sivi land,
Amidst a world of selfish men gave gifts with lavish hand."
To this the Great Being answered: "Why do you say this, Maddī? If I had not been able to
set my mind at peace by giving my children, these miracles would not have happened to
me"; and then he told her all the earth-rumblings and what else had happened.