Vessantara-Jataka in Pali and English - MyWebSpace

Translation 498 Vessantara-Jåtaka
[Fausbøll, Jåtaka, vol. VI, p. 498]
Thus did Maddī sing the praises of Himavat in these stanzas, as though she were dwelling
therein. Here endeth the Praise of Himavat. 1
Now Queen Phusatī thought: "A harsh command has been laid upon my son: what will he
do? I will go and find out." In a covered carriage she went, and taking up her position at
the door of their chamber, she overheard their converse and uttered a bitter lamentation.
Describing this, the Master said:
"She heard the princess and her son, the talk that passed between,
Then bitterly she did lament, that great and glorious queen.
"Better drink poison, better leap from off a cliff, say I,
Or better bind a strangling noose about my neck and die:
Why banish they Vessantara my unoffending son?
So studious and free from greed, giving to all who came,
Respected by his rival kings, of great and glorious fame,
Why banish they Vessantara, my unoffending son?
His parents' prop, who did respect his elders every one,
Why banish they Vessantara, my unoffending son?
Belovèd by the king and queen, by all his kith and kin,
Belovèd by his friends, the realm and all that are therein,
Why banish they Vessantara, my unoffending son?"
1
Himavanta-vaṇṇanā.