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 506 <strong>Vessantara</strong>-Jåtaka<br />
[Fausbøll, Jåtaka, vol. VI, p. 506]<br />
That s<strong>in</strong> I now would expiate i’ the panther-haunted wood:<br />
If you will wallow <strong>in</strong> the slough, yet I will still do good."<br />
In reply, Phusatī said:<br />
"I give you leave to go, my son, <strong>and</strong> take my bless<strong>in</strong>g too:<br />
Leave Maddī <strong>and</strong> the boys beh<strong>in</strong>d, for she will never do;<br />
Fair rounded limbs <strong>and</strong> slender waist, why need she go with you?"<br />
<strong>Vessantara</strong> said:<br />
"Even a slave aga<strong>in</strong>st her will I would not take away:<br />
But if she wishes, let her come; if not, then let her stay."<br />
On hear<strong>in</strong>g what his son said, the k<strong>in</strong>g proceeded to entreat her.<br />
Expla<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g this, the Master said:<br />
"And then unto his daughter-<strong>in</strong>-law the k<strong>in</strong>g began to say:<br />
"Let not your s<strong>and</strong>al-scented limbs bear dust <strong>and</strong> dirt, I pray,<br />
Wear not bark-fibre wraps <strong>in</strong>stead of f<strong>in</strong>e Benares stuff;<br />
Blest pr<strong>in</strong>cess, go not! forest life <strong>in</strong>deed is hard enough."<br />
Then pr<strong>in</strong>cess Maddī, bright <strong>and</strong> fair, her father-<strong>in</strong>-law addrest:<br />
"To be without <strong>Vessantara</strong> I care not to be blest."<br />
Then Sivi's mighty foster<strong>in</strong>g k<strong>in</strong>g thus spake to her aga<strong>in</strong>:<br />
"Come, Maddī, listen while the woes of forests I expla<strong>in</strong>.<br />
The swarms of <strong>in</strong>sects <strong>and</strong> of gnats, of beetles <strong>and</strong> of bees<br />
Would st<strong>in</strong>g you <strong>in</strong> that forest life, unto your great disease.