Vessantara-Jataka in Pali and English - MyWebSpace

Translation 570 Vessantara-Jåtaka
[Fausbøll, Jåtaka, vol. VI, p. 570]
"Weary am I, nor hide I that: yet in my own despite,
I give, and shrink not: for in gifts my heart doth take delight."
This said, quickly he drew water in a pitcher, and poured it upon his hand, 1 and made
over Maddī to the brahmin. At that moment, all the portents which had occurred before
were again seen and heard. The Master thus explained it:
"Then he took up a water-jar, the king of Sivi land,
And taking Maddī, gave her straight into the brahmin's hand.
Then was there terror and affright, then the great earth did quake,
What time he rendered Maddī for his visitor to take.
The face of Maddī did not frown, 2 she did not chafe or cry,
But looked on silent, thinking, He knows best the reason why.
"Both Jāli and Kaṇhājinā I let another take,
And Maddī my devoted wife, and all for wisdom's sake.
Not hateful is my faithful wife, nor yet my children are,
But perfect knowledge, to my mind, is something dearer far."
Then the Great Being looked upon Maddī's face to see how she took it; and she, asking
him why he looked upon her, cried aloud with a lion's voice in these words:
"From maidenhood I was his wife, he is my master still:
Let him to whomso he desire or give, or sell, or kill."
1
As a symbol of donation, water was poured upon the right hand (dakkhinodakaṁ).
2
bhakuṭī (Skt. bh®kut¥) "a frown." Not in Childers.