[815]
This is his elephant-treasure (hatthiratana) — Erāvaṇa, a mighty tusker elephant;
and those four noble sons have now been led out to slaughter.
This is his horse-treasure (assaratana) — a solid-hoofed, swift horse;²
and those four noble sons have now been led out to slaughter.
This is his horse-chariot, with a sound like the myna bird's,³
splendid, adorned with jewels, wherein the noble sons shone like gods (devā) in Nandana;
and those four noble sons have now been led out to slaughter.
How indeed shall the king, utterly deluded, offer sacrifice (yañña)
with his four sons, beautiful as gold, their limbs soft with sandalwood?
How indeed shall the king, utterly deluded, offer sacrifice
with the four maidens, beautiful as gold, their limbs soft with sandalwood?
How indeed shall the king, utterly deluded, offer sacrifice
with the four queens, beautiful as gold, their limbs soft with sandalwood?
How indeed shall the king, utterly deluded, offer sacrifice
with the four householders (gahapati), beautiful as gold, their limbs soft with sandalwood?
Just as villages and market towns become empty, devoid of human beings, mere vast forest,
so shall it be with Pupphavatī¹ when Canda and Suriya have been sacrificed.
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¹ Sī., Yu.: Pupphāvaliyā. ² Ma.: ekakhūro asso. ³ Ma.: sāḷiya nigghoso.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.