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 579 <strong>Vessantara</strong>-Jåtaka<br />
[Fausbøll, Jåtaka, vol. VI, p. 579]<br />
The k<strong>in</strong>g acknowledged his fault:<br />
"It was ill done of me <strong>in</strong>deed to ru<strong>in</strong> the <strong>in</strong>nocent,<br />
When by the people's voice I drove my son to banishment.<br />
Then all the wealth which I possess, all that I have <strong>in</strong> h<strong>and</strong>,<br />
Be his; <strong>and</strong> let <strong>Vessantara</strong> come <strong>and</strong> rule <strong>in</strong> Sivi l<strong>and</strong>."<br />
The lad replied:<br />
"Not for my word will he return, the chief of Sivi l<strong>and</strong>:<br />
Then go thyself <strong>and</strong> fill thy son with bless<strong>in</strong>gs from thy h<strong>and</strong>."<br />
Then to his general-<strong>in</strong>-chief K<strong>in</strong>g Sañjaya thus said:<br />
"My horses, chariots, elephants, <strong>and</strong> soldiers go prepare,<br />
And let the people come around, the chapla<strong>in</strong>s all be there.<br />
The sixty thous<strong>and</strong> warrior lords armed <strong>and</strong> adorned so fair,<br />
Drest up <strong>in</strong> blue or brown or white, with bloodred crests, be there.<br />
Like as the spirit-haunted hills, where trees a plenty grow,<br />
Are bright <strong>and</strong> sweet with plants div<strong>in</strong>e, so here the breezes blow.<br />
Br<strong>in</strong>g fourteen thous<strong>and</strong> elephants, with trapp<strong>in</strong>gs all of gold,<br />
With drivers hold<strong>in</strong>g lance <strong>and</strong> hook: as many horse be told.<br />
S<strong>in</strong>dh horses, all of noble breed, <strong>and</strong> very swift to go,<br />
Each ridden by a henchman bold, <strong>and</strong>, hold<strong>in</strong>g sword <strong>and</strong> bow. 1<br />
1 Compare Fausbøll, vol. V, p. 259, l<strong>in</strong>e 4 (Cowell, vol. V, p. 132).