Vessantara-Jataka in Pali and English - MyWebSpace

Translation 519 Vessantara-Jåtaka
[Fausbøll, Jåtaka, vol. VI, p. 519]
Thus did the princes tell him of his fifteen-league journey, and let him go. But to prevent
any fear of danger in Vessantara, and with a view to leave no hold for any adversary, they
gave directions to a certain man of their country, wise and skilful, to keep an eye upon his
goings and comings; whom they left at the entering in of the forest, and returned to their
own city.
And Vessantara with his wife and children proceeded to Gandhamādana; that day he
abode there, then setting his face northwards he passed by the foot of Mount Vipula, and
rested on the bank of the river Ketumatī, to eat a goodly repast provided by the forester,
and there they bathed and drank, presenting their guide with a golden hairpin. With mind
full of calmness he crossed the stream, and resting awhile under the banyan which stood
on a flat space on the mountain, after eating its fruit, he rose up and went on to the hill
called Nālika. Still moving onwards, he passed along the banks of Lake Mucalinda to its
northeastern corner: whence by a narrow footpath he penetrated 1 into the thick forest, and
passing through, he followed the course of the stream which rose out of the mountain
until he came to the foursquare lake.
At this moment, Sakka king of the gods looked down and beheld that which had
happened. "The Great Being," he thought, "has entered Himavat, and he must have a
place to dwell in."
1 Read pavisitvā taṁ.