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saffron robes and deer-skins? As he enters the great forest, why will they not tie on bark-cloth? 1761. How indeed do people wear bark-cloth, those who are kings and have gone forth? How will Maddī wear a garment made of kusa grass? 1762. Having worn Kasi cloths, and linen and cotton garments; Wearing kusa-grass garments, what will Maddī do? 1763. Having travelled in conveyances, in palanquins and chariots; How will she, with tender limbs, today go on foot along the path? 1764. She whose hands are soft, and whose feet are delicately nurtured; How will she, with tender limbs, today go on foot along the path? 1765. She whose feet are soft, and whose feet are delicately nurtured; Even with golden sandals, she would walk as if oppressed; How will she, with tender limbs, today go on foot along the path? 1766. She who indeed, adorned with garlands, walked before thousands of women; How will she, with tender limbs, today go alone into the forest? 1767. She who indeed, hearing the jackal, would often tremble in the palace; How will she, with tender limbs, today go timidly into the forest? 1768. She who indeed, hearing an owl of the Indasagotta clan hooting, terrified by its cry, would tremble like a palm-tree; How will she, with tender limbs, today go timidly into the forest? 1769. Like a bird whose chicks are killed, seeing its nest empty; I shall long grieve with sorrow, having come to this empty city. 1770. Like a bird whose chicks are killed, seeing its nest empty; I shall become lean and pale, not seeing my dear children. 1771. Like a bird whose young are killed, seeing its nest empty; I shall run here and there, not seeing my dear children. 1772. Like a curlew whose young are killed, seeing its nest empty; Long shall I grieve with sorrow, having come to this empty city. 1773. Like a curlew whose young are killed, seeing its nest empty; I shall become lean and pale, not seeing my dear children. 1774. Like a curlew whose young are killed, seeing its nest empty; I shall run here and there, not seeing my dear children. 1775. Surely like a ruddy goose, in a pond without water; Long shall I grieve with sorrow, having come to this empty city. 1776. Surely like a ruddy goose, in a pond without water; I shall become lean and pale, not seeing my dear children. 1777. Surely like a ruddy goose, in a pond without water; I shall run here and there, not seeing my dear children. 1778. While I thus lament, the king banished my innocent son from the realm to the forest, I think I shall lose my life. 1779. Hearing her lamentation, all the many women in the inner palace, the Sivī maidens gathered, raised their arms and wept aloud. 1780. Like sāla trees uprooted, crushed by the wind; Sons and wives lie fallen, in Vessantara's dwelling. 1781. The royal women and princes, the merchants and brahmins; Raised their arms and wept aloud, in Vessantara's dwelling. 1782. Elephant riders, cavalry, charioteers, and foot soldiers; Raised their arms and wept aloud, in Vessantara's dwelling. 1783. Then, at the end of the night, as the sun was rising; King Vessantara came to give gifts. 1784. Give clothes to those desiring clothes, give liquor to the drunkards; Give food to those desiring food, distribute it well. 1785. And do not harm any beggars who have come here; Satisfy them with food and drink, let them go honored. 1786. And then There arises a sound, tumultuous, terrifying, great; By giving, they drive him out, again you gave a gift. 1787. Among them, intoxicated and weary, beggars gather, As the great king departs, the prosperity-increaser of the Sīvīs. 1788. Alas, they have cut down the tree, a tree bearing various fruits, Just as Vessantara from the kingdom, they banish, though he is blameless. 1789. Alas, they have cut down the tree, a tree granting all desires, Just as Vessantara from the kingdom, they banish, though he is blameless. 1790. Alas, they have cut down the tree, a tree yielding all desired flavors, Just as Vessantara from the kingdom, they banish, though he is blameless. 1791. Those who are old, and those who are young, and those of middle age, raised their arms and cried out, as the great king departed, the prosperity-increaser of the Sīvīs. 1792. The chief guards and royal attendants, and the women of the king's harem, raised their arms and cried out, as the great king departed, the prosperity-increaser of the Sīvīs. 1793. Even the women there cried out, who were in that city, as the great king departed, the prosperity-increaser of the Sīvīs. 1794. Those who are brahmins, and those who are ascetics, and other beggars, raised their arms and cried out, "Indeed, sirs, this is unrighteous!" 1795. Just as King Vessantara, sacrificing in his own city, by the word of the Sīvīs, is banished from his own kingdom. 1796. Having given seven hundred elephants, adorned with all ornaments, with golden trappings, royal elephants, wearing golden coverings. 1797. Mounted by chiefs, holding spears and goads in hand, This King Vessantara, is banished from his own kingdom. 1798. Having given seven hundred horses, adorned with all ornaments, of noble breed, Sindhu horses, swift steeds. 1799. Mounted by chiefs, holding quivers and bows, This King Vessantara, is banished from his own kingdom. 1800. Having given seven hundred chariots, equipped, with banners raised, shining, and also of excellent make, adorned with all ornaments. Mounted by chieftains, with bows in hand, armored; This King Vessantara, is banished from his kingdom. Having given seven hundred women, each standing in a chariot; Adorned with golden chains, and decorated with gold. With yellow ornaments, in yellow robes, adorned with yellow jewels; With charming eyelashes, smiling, well-composed, slender-waisted; This King Vessantara, is banished from his kingdom. Having given seven hundred cows, all with bronze milk-pails; This King Vessantara, is banished from his kingdom. Having given seven hundred slave-girls, and seven hundred slaves; This King Vessantara, is banished from his kingdom. Having given elephants, horses, chariots, and adorned women; This King Vessantara, is banished from his kingdom. Then it was terrifying, then it was hair-raising; When the great gift was given, the earth trembled. Then it was terrifying, then it was hair-raising; When the king, with clasped hands, was banished from his kingdom. Then a sound arose there, a mighty, dreadful roar; 'They banish him for his giving, and you gave again!' Intoxicated by them, and weary, the beggars gather; As the great king departs, the prosperity-increaser of the Sīvīs. He addressed the king, Sanjaya, the best of the righteous; 'You have banished me, O king, I go to Mount Vanka.' Whoever, O great king, have been or will be; Insatiate with desires, they go to Yama's abode. Thus I, having consecrated myself, performing sacrifices in my own city; By the word of the Sīvīs, am banished from my kingdom. I will endure that suffering, in a forest teeming with wild beasts; Inhabited by rhinos and leopards. I perform merits; You sink in the mud. Permit me, mother, my renunciation is my wish. Thus; I myself will consecrate, sacrificing in my own city; By the word of the Sivis, he is banished from his own country. 1816. “I will endure that suffering, in the forest teeming with wild beasts; Inhabited by rhinoceroses and leopards, I will perform merits; You all sink in the mud. 1817. “I permit you, son, may your going forth succeed; And this beautiful Maddī, well-behaved, slender-waisted; Let her stay with the children, what will she do in the forest?” 1818. “I would not dare to take even an unwilling slave to the forest; If she wishes, let her follow, if she does not wish, let her stay.” 1819. Then the great king, began to entreat his daughter-in-law; Do not, whose conduct is like sandalwood, bear dust and dirt. 1820. Do not, having worn Kasi garments, wear bark rags; Life in the forest is painful, do not go, O fortunate one. 1821. To him spoke the princess, Maddī, beautiful in all her limbs; “I would not wish for that happiness, which is without my Vessantara.” 1822. To her spoke the great king, the prosperity-increaser of the Sivis; “Listen, Maddī, to what are unbearable in the forest. 1823. Many insects and grasshoppers, mosquitoes and honeybees; Even they would harm you there, that would be more painful for you. 1824. See other torments, in places near rivers; Snakes called pythons, they are non-poisonous but very strong. 1825. They, a human or a beast, even if it comes near; Enveloping it with their coils, they bring it under their power. 1826. And others with black matted hair, called bears, fierce beasts; A man seen by them, does not escape by climbing a tree. 1827. Clashing their horns, striking with sharp points; Wild buffaloes roam there, along the Sotumbara river. 1828. Seeing herds of deer, and cattle roaming in the forest; Like a cow longing for its calf, what will you do, Maddī? 1829. Seeing fierce ones falling on treetops, monkeys; For you, Maddi, who don't know the territory, there will be great fear. You who, hearing the jackal, used to tremble often before; You, having reached the crooked path, what will you do, Maddi? When the midday time stands, and the birds are settled; The great forest still resounds, why do you wish to go there? To him spoke the princess, Maddi, beautiful in all her limbs; These things you spoke of, fearsome to me in the forest; I will overcome them all, let us go, O chief of chariots. Kāsa grass, kusa grass, poṭakila, usira, muñja, pabbaja; I will push them away with my breast, I will not be led astray. Indeed, by many practices, a maiden finds a husband; By suppressing hunger, and by wrapping her calves. By serving the fire, and by plunging into water; Widowhood is bitter in the world, let us go, O chief of chariots. She is even unworthy, to eat even leftovers;