A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

25: Women
Jā 547 Vessantarajātakaṁ
Wives and Husbands
The Bodhisatta is banished to the forest when the
people decide he is over-generous with the wealth
of the Kingdom. His wife goes along with him,
and this is part of what she says.
470. Naggā nadī anudakā, naggaṁ raṭṭhaṁ Arājakaṁ,
Itthīpi vidhavā naggā, yassāpi dasabhātaro.
Stripped are rivers without water,
And a kingdom without a King,
Bereft is a widowed woman,
Even though she has ten brothers.
471. Dhajo Rathassa paññāṇaṁ, dhūmo paññāṇam-aggino,
Rājā Rathassa paññāṇaṁ, bhattā paññāṇam-itthiyā.
Flags are a sign of a Kingdom,
And the sign of a fire is smoke,
Kings are the sign of a Kingdom,
Husbands are the sign of women.
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