Nemirājjātaka

Suttapiṭaka · Khuddakanikāya · Jātaka (2) · Vol. 28 · Section 552

[552] Abounding in water, its banks not steep, this river flows on with fair fords; humans scorched by the heat drink from it, yet even as they drink, their water turns to chaff. Fear indeed comes over me, O charioteer, at seeing this; I ask you, Mātali, charioteer of the devas: what evil, pray, have these mortals done, that even as they drink, their water turns to chaff?

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.