The Tham Vessantara-jAtaka - Khamkoo

“Ridden by the village headmen carrying short-swords and bows. Let the riders quickly
assemble, fully equipped and decked out on the horses’ backs. Then let men yoke
fourteen thousand chariots, with wheel-rims expertly fashioned in iron and borders
inlaid with gold. Let them put up the banners there and put on leather and chain-mail.
Let the strong-bowed archers draw their bows. Let the charioteers quickly assemble,
fully equipped in their chariots.”
EvaM rAjA : When the king had given details of his plan in this way, he ordered
them to clear the road, which his son would take from the city of Jettutara as far as to
the Crooked Mountain; it should be arranged even for a width of eight usabhas. Giving
various directions for the decoration of the road, he spoke thus: LAjA olokirA puppA
mAlAgandhavilepanA agghiyAni ca tiThantu yena maggena ehiti : “Ministers, mamaputto :
on the road where my son will take, orAkirA puppA : let puffed rice be scattered and
various kinds of flowers, garlands, perfumes and ointments, and let gifts of hospitality
be offered. GAme game sataM kumbhA : On the road where my son will take, let each
hamlet bring a hundred jars of wine to be placed on the way-side in each village.
MaMsaM puvAni ca : On the road my son will take, let meat and pancakes, cake and
junket, together with fish, be placed by the way-side. On the road my son will take, let
ghee and sesame oil, curds and milk, panic seed, rice and plenty of toddy be placed by
the roadside. Let there be chefs and cooks, dancers, mimes and singers, players of
castanets, of jar-drums and bass-drums; and let there be comedians. Let them play all
kinds of lutes, drums and kettle-drums. Let conches be blown; let the one-skinned
drums sound out.” Let them strike tambours and cymbals, play conches, and lutes with
their resounding strings, and many other kinds of drums.”
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