[1184]
"My spade has fallen, and my right eye throbs;
the trees that bore fruit are fruitless; all the quarters bewilder me."
Then at evening time, as she was returning to the hermitage,
when the sun had set, beasts of prey appeared upon the path.
"While the sun hangs low, the hermitage, alas, is far;
and whatever I shall carry to them from here — that is the food they would eat.
Surely that noble khattiya sits alone in the hut of leaves,
comforting the hungry children, having seen that I do not return.
Surely those little children of mine — poor, wretched woman that I am! —
at evening, at the hour of lying down to rest, sit like little ones that have drunk milk.
Surely those little children of mine — poor, wretched woman that I am! —
at evening, at the hour of lying down to rest, sit like little ones that have drunk water.
Surely those little children of mine — poor, wretched woman that I am! —
stand come forth to meet me, like young calves their mother.
Surely those little children of mine — poor, wretched woman that I am! —
stand come forth to meet me, like swans upon a pool.
Surely those little children of mine — poor, wretched woman that I am! —
stand come forth to meet me, not far from the hermitage.
There is one way in, a single path, with lakes and chasms on either side;
I see no other road by which one might go to the hermitage.
Homage to you, O beasts, O kings of great might in the forest!
Be brothers to me in righteousness; I entreat you, grant me the way.
I am the wife of a banished king's son, one endowed with splendor,
and I do not despise him — devoted to him as Sītā to Rāma.
May you see your own young at evening, at the time of lying down to rest,
and may I see my children, Jāli and Kaṇhājinā, the two of them.
Plentiful are these roots and fruits, and this food is no small store;
of it I will give you half; I entreat you, grant me the way.
A king's daughter is our mother, and a king's son is our father;
be brothers to me in righteousness; I entreat you, grant me the way."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.