The Tham Vessantara-jAtaka - Khamkoo

then you will be painful. Nakkhatte utupubbesu : When you see me with fine clothes at
the festivals and holidays, enjoying myself with other men, you will be disappointed.
Your grief would make your hair much whiter when you no longer see me old man.”
TamatthaM pakAsento satthA Aha : Explaining this to the monks, the Teacher
spoke in stanza thus: Tato so brAhmaBo bhito brAhmaBIyA vasAnugo aTTito KAmarAgena
brAhmaBim eta dabhavi : Then the Brahmin, frightened and subjected to the Brahmin
girl, tormented by his love said to his wife, AmitattA thus: PAtheyyaM me karohi tvam :
“Get ready what is necessary for my journey, Brahmin girl, make some cakes, sugar
191
cakes and honey cakes, and barely food for me. I will bring a pair of those children to be
your slaves who will serve you night and day unwearied.”
When AmitattA heard what the old Brahmin had said, she was very happy and
quick preparing the necessary provisions such as cakes, sugar cakes, honey cakes, fish,
rice, beef, pork, water pot, a walking stick. She prepared a lot of things for the old
Brahmin as she was afraid that he might starve on the way to the thick forest. Having
prepared, she informed the Brahmin. The next day, the old Brahmin, fearing of his wife
AmitattA’s going away from home, he did repair about the weak places in the house and
mended the door. He went to the forest to collect firewood and fetched water from the
river to fill up the bowls and dishes. Having provided everything for his wife, the old
Brahmin put on his ascetic clothes and warned her not to go out at improper times and
192
to take special care until he returned. Then he put on his shoes and hung his bag of
provisions from his shoulder. After walking round his wife three times, he went off eyes
full of tears.
TamattaM pakAsento satthA Aha : In explanation to the monks, the Teacher
spoke: IdaM vatvA brAhmaBabandhu paTi mUGci upAyanA tato so mantayitvAna bhariyam
275