Vessantara-Jataka in Pali and English - MyWebSpace

Translation 514 Vessantara-Jåtaka
[Fausbøll, Jåtaka, vol. VI, p. 514]
From the city of Jetuttara, the mountain named Suvaṇṇagiritāla is five leagues distant;
from thence the river Kontimārā is five leagues away, and five leagues more to Mount
Arañjaragiri, five leagues again to the brahman village of Dunniviṭṭha, thence ten leagues
to his uncle's city: thus from Jetuttara the journey was thirty leagues. The gods shortened
the journey, so that in one day they came to his uncle's city. Thus it is said:
"The Yakkhas made the journey short, pitying the children's plight,
And so to Ceta kingdom they arrived before the night."
Now they left Jetuttara at breakfast time, and in the evening they came to the kingdom of
Ceta and to his uncle's city.
Explaining this, the Master said:
"Away to Ceta they proceed, a journey great and long,
A kingdom rich in food and drink, and prosperous, and strong."
Now in his uncle's city dwelt sixty thousand Khattiyas. The Great Being entered not into
the city, but sat in a hall at the city gate. Maddī brushed off the dust on the Great Being's
feet, and rubbed them; then with a view to announce the coming of Vessantara, she went
forth from the hall, and stood within sight. So the women who came in and out of the city
saw her and came round.
Explaining this, the Master said:
"Seeing the auspicious lady there the women round her throng.
"The tender lady! now afoot she needs must walk along.
In palanquin or chariot once the noble lady rode:
Now Maddī needs must go afoot; the woods are her abode."