Vessantara-Jataka in Pali and English - MyWebSpace

Translation 508 Vessantara-Jåtaka
[Fausbøll, Jåtaka, vol. VI, p. 508]
Through all the hill and forest grass, through clumps of bulrush reed,
With my own breast I'll push my way, nor will complain indeed.
She that would keep a husband well must all her duties do;
Ready to roll up balls of dung, 1 ready for fasting too,
She carefully must tend the fire, must mop up water still,
But terrible is widowhood: great monarch, go I will.
The meanest harries her about; she eats of leavings still:
For terrible is widowhood—great monarch, go I will.
Knocked down and smothered in the dust, haled roughly by the hair—
A man may do them any hurt, all simply stand and stare.
O terrible is widowhood! great monarch, go I will.
Men pull about the widow's sons with cruel blows and foul,
Though fair and proud of winning charm, as crows would peck an owl.
O terrible is widowhood! great monarch, go I will.
Even in a prosperous household, bright with silver without end,
Unkindly speeches never cease from brother or from friend.
O terrible is widowhood! great monarch, go I will.
Naked are rivers waterless, a kingdom without king,
A widow may have brothers ten, yet is a naked thing.
O terrible is widowhood! great monarch, go I will.
A banner is the chariot's mark, a fire by smoke is known,
Kingdoms by kings, a wedded wife by husband of her own.
O terrible is widowhood! great monarch, go I will.
The wife who shares her husband's lot, be it rich or be it poor,
Her fame the very gods do praise, in trouble she is sure.
My husband I will follow still, the yellow robe to wear,
To be the queen 2 of all the earth without, I would not care.
O terrible is widowhood! great monarch, go I will.
Those women have no heart at all, they're hard and cannot feel,
Who when their husbands are in woe, desire to be in weal.
When the great lord of Sivi land goes forth to banishment,
I will go with him; for he gives all joy and all content."
1
gohanubbeṭhanena: gohanaṁ is cowdung (see Cowell, vol. V, p. 246). I take this to refer
to the patties of cowdung used as fuel.
2
icche occurs for the first time here; it comes from Skt. ¥ß, "to rule" (scholiast: "issarā
hoti").