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 568 <strong>Vessantara</strong>-Jåtaka<br />
[Fausbøll, Jåtaka, vol. VI, p. 568]<br />
Then Maddī rejoic<strong>in</strong>g described the miracles <strong>in</strong> these words:<br />
"The earth did rumble, <strong>and</strong> the sound the highest heaven fills,<br />
The lightn<strong>in</strong>g flared, the thunder woke the echoes of the hills!<br />
Then Nārada <strong>and</strong> Pabbata both greatly did rejoice,<br />
Yea, all the Three <strong>and</strong> Thirty Gods with Indra, at that voice. 1<br />
Thus Maddī, dame of royal birth, pr<strong>in</strong>cess of high degree,<br />
Rejoiced with him: a greater gift than children none can be."<br />
Thus the Great Be<strong>in</strong>g described his own gift; <strong>and</strong> thus did Maddī repeat the tale,<br />
affirm<strong>in</strong>g that he had given a noble gift, <strong>and</strong> there she sat rejoic<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the same gift: on<br />
which occasion the Master repeated the stanza, "Thus Maddī," etc. 2<br />
Sakkapabbaṁ<br />
The Sakka Chapter 3<br />
As they were thus talk<strong>in</strong>g together, Sakka thought: "Yesterday <strong>Vessantara</strong> gave his<br />
children to Jūjaka, <strong>and</strong> the earth did resound. Now suppose a vile creature should come<br />
<strong>and</strong> ask him for Maddī herself, the <strong>in</strong>comparable, the virtuous, <strong>and</strong> should take her away<br />
with him leav<strong>in</strong>g the k<strong>in</strong>g alone: he will be left helpless <strong>and</strong> destitute. Well, then, I will<br />
take the form of a brahm<strong>in</strong>, <strong>and</strong> beg for Maddī. Thus I will enable him to atta<strong>in</strong> the<br />
supreme height of perfection; I shall make it impossible that she should be given to<br />
anyone else <strong>and</strong> then I will give her back." So at dawn, to him goes Sakka. The Master<br />
expla<strong>in</strong>ed it thus:<br />
"And so when night was at an end, about the peep of day,<br />
Sakka <strong>in</strong> brahm<strong>in</strong>'s form to them first early made his way.<br />
1 This couplet is <strong>in</strong>terrupted by four l<strong>in</strong>es, <strong>in</strong> another metre, mention<strong>in</strong>g the names of the<br />
gods Indra, Brahma, <strong>and</strong> Prajāpati, <strong>and</strong> the k<strong>in</strong>gs Soma, Varna, <strong>and</strong> Vessavana.<br />
2<br />
Scholiast: "Here ends the Chapter of Maddī (Maddi-pabba◊)"<br />
3 [Title added from the scholiast. -- jrb]