English
Having made myself suffer for pleasures, I have fallen into this state. So I do not attain happiness, standing like a speaker. In a house on fire, whatever vessel one carries out, that is for his benefit, not what burns there. Thus the world is ablaze, with old age and death. One should carry out with giving, what is given is well saved. A being who gives a gift from what is righteously gained, acquired through effort and energy; He crosses over Yama's Vetaraṇī, that mortal attains divine states. They say giving and battle are alike, even few, being good, conquer many. If one gives even a little with faith, by that he becomes happy in the other world. Having discerned, a gift, O Sugata... Those worthy of offerings, who are worthy of offerings in this living world; Gifts given to them are of great fruit, like seeds sown in a good field. 74. One who walks not harming living beings, and does no evil from others' blame; They praise the timid, not the brave in that, for the good do no evil out of fear. 75. By inferior holy life, one is reborn among Khattiyas; By middling, among devas, by excellent, one is purified. 76. Indeed, giving is praised in many ways, but the path of Dhamma is better than giving; For long ago, and even before that, the saints, the wise, attained Nibbāna. 77. When the Ganges is calm with water lilies, and cuckoos are conch-colored; And the rose-apple tree yields palm fruits, then indeed, that might be. 78. When of tortoise hairs, a three-fold cloak is made; A winter garment, then indeed, that might be. 79. When of mosquito legs, a strong tower is well-built; Firm and unshakeable, then indeed, that might be. 80. When of rabbit horns, a ladder is well-made; For ascending to heaven, then indeed, that might be. 81. When having climbed the ladder, mice would eat the moon; And make Rāhu fall, then indeed, that might be. 82. When having drunk a pot of liquor, a swarm of flies; Would dwell in embers, then indeed, that might be. 83. When endowed with bimba-red lips, a donkey would have a beautiful face; Skilled in dance and song, then indeed, that might be. 84. When crows and owls, would consult in secret; And long for each other, then indeed, that might be. 85. When of lotus stalks' leaves, a very firm umbrella is made; To ward off rain, then indeed, that might be. 86. When a small deer A bird, Mount Gandhamādana; Could take with its beak, then surely that would be. 87. When a sea-going ship, with its mast and rigging; A servant could take, then surely that would be. The Aṭṭhāna Jātaka, the ninth. 426. The Leopard Jātaka (10) 88. Is it bearable, is it passable? Uncle, are you well? "Well," mother said to you, for we desire your welfare. 89. Having stepped on my tail, and tormented me, O ewe, Do you think today, by calling me "uncle," you should be freed? 90. You were sitting facing east, I came before your face; Your tail was behind you, how could I have stepped on it? 91. As far as the four continents, with their seas and mountains; So far extends my tail, how could you avoid it? 92. They told me this before, my mother, father, and brothers: "Long is the tail of the wicked." I came through the air. 93. And seeing you coming, in the sky, O ewe, The herd of deer fled, my prey was ruined by you. 94. While she was thus lamenting, the leopard, with a growl, Crushed her neck. There is no good word for the wicked. 95. There is no justice in the wicked, no righteousness, no good word; One should apply effort to the wicked, but they do not delight in the good. The Leopard Jātaka, the tenth. The Aṭṭhaka Nipāta is finished. Its summary – Pure, unblemished, wearing robes, The king of cranes, the armlet, the excellent staff; Then the ember, the shrine, the goddess, Then the burning Ganges, the ten ewes.