Vessantara-Jataka in Pali and English - MyWebSpace

Translation 513 Vessantara-Jåtaka
[Fausbøll, Jåtaka, vol. VI, p. 513]
After this, they all went on afoot. Then the Great Being said to Maddī:
"Maddī, you take Kaṇhājinā, for she is light and young,
But Jāli is a heavy boy, so I'll bring him along."
Then they took up the two children, and carried them on their hips.
Explaining this, the Master said:
"He carrying his boy, and she her daughter, on they went,
Talking together on the road in joy and all content." 1
Vanappavesanakhaṇḍaṁ
The Forest-Entry Section 2
When they met anyone coming to meet them along the road, they asked the way to
Vaṁka hill, and learnt that it was afar off. Thus it is said:
"Whenever they met travellers coming along the way,
They asked directions for their road, and where Mount Vaṁka lay.
The travellers all wept full sore to see them on the way,
And told them of their heavy task: "The road is long," they say."
The children cried to see fruit of all kinds on the trees which grew on both sides of the
road. Then by the Great Being's power, the trees bowed down their fruit so that their
hands could reach it, and they picked out the ripest and gave it to the little ones. Then
Maddī cried out, "A marvel!" Thus it is said:
"Whene’er the children did behold trees growing on the steep
Laden with fruit, the children for the fruit began to weep.
But when they saw the children weep, the tall trees sorrowful
Bowed down their branches to their hands, that they the fruit might pull.
Then Maddī cried aloud in joy, that lady fair and bright,
To see the marvel, fit to make one's hair to stand upright.
One's hair might stand upright to see the marvel here is shewn:
By power of King Vessantara the trees themselves bend down!"
1
"Here ends the Gift Section (Dāna-khaṇḍam)."
2 [Title inserted from the scholiast. -- jrb]