The Tham Vessantara-jAtaka - Khamkoo

Then the Great Being replied her thus: Adi yeneva te maddi dukkhaM nakkhA
tumicchisaM daliddo yAcako vuDDho brAhmaBo ghara mAgato : “ At first, my lady,
MaddI I did not want to tell the sad news when you returned from the forest. There was
a needy old, poor Brahmin who has nothing and suffering from poverty, came to the
forest regardless of hardship along the way to our place, and because I hope to obtain
the Enlightenment, though I love our children, I have given them to an old Brahmin as
his slaves. He had led them away when you were not here. So, you have no time to hug
and kiss them, nor do you have time take them on your tight and take care of them. Do
not worry and grieve too much, MaddI. We are ascetics and we are alive and healthy,
we shall see our children one day”. When a good man beholds people coming to beg, he
would give his possession like, grain or cattle, valuable belongings what were available
in the house, even his own children as a gift to them. Be happy with me, MaddI, because
the children are the very best gift. Maddi pi kho : When the attractive MaddI heard what
the Great Being had told her about the donation of the children to the Brahmin for the
obtaining of the Enlightenment, she was pleased with him and replied in stanza thus:
AnumodAmi te deva puttane dAnamuttamaM data cittaM pasAdehi bhiyyo dAnaM dado
bhava : “My lord, I am pleased with you, you have given the children away, as they are
the best gift. Please keep your mind calm and do more gifts. Yo tvum macchera bhUtesu:
O great king, among men who are greedy, you who make Sivis kingdom prosperous
gave a gift to an old Brahmin”.
Having heard what MaddI had said, The Great Being replied, “MaddI, why do
you say so? If my mind had not been serene after I gave the children away, the
wonderful miracles would not have taken place.” Then he narrated her about the
274
miracles starting with roaming of the earth. Then, rejoicing at the gift, MaddI cried out
320