[107] 10.
To a bhikkhu gone for his daytime abiding (divāvihāra), seated on the bank of the Gaṅgā,
there drew near a female ghost (petī), ugly of complexion, fearful to behold;
her hair was exceedingly long, hanging down as far as the ground;
covered over by her hair, she said this to the ascetic (samaṇa):
"It is fifty-five years since I died,
and I do not recall having eaten, nor yet having drunk water.
Give me water to drink, venerable sir; I am thirsty for water."
[The bhikkhu:]
"This Gaṅgā, cool of water, flows down from the Himavant.
Take from it and drink; why do you beg water of me?"
[The petī:]
"If, venerable sir, I take water from the Gaṅgā myself,
it turns to blood for me. Therefore I beg for water."
[The bhikkhu:]
"Now what wrong deed was done by body, by speech, or by mind?
Through the ripening of what kamma does the Gaṅgā become blood for you?"
[The petī:]
"My son, Uttara by name, was a lay follower (upāsaka) endowed with faith,
and against my wish he bestowed upon the ascetics
robes and almsfood, requisites, bed and seat.
Plagued by stinginess (macchera), I reviled him:
'That which against my wish you bestow upon the ascetics —
robes and almsfood, requisites, bed and seat —
let that become blood for you in the world beyond, Uttara!'
Through the ripening of that kamma, the Gaṅgā becomes blood for me."
The Uttaramātupetivatthu — the Story of the Petī Who Was Uttara's Mother — the tenth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.