Page images
PDF
EPUB

Amitódanasakkassa Pandusakkó sutó ahu; Wiḍudhabhassa yuddhamhi ádáya sakań janań,
Gantwá annapadéséna gangápárań; tahiń purań mápetwá, tattha kárési rajjań; satta suté labhi;
Dhítá kaniṭṭhiká asi Bhaddakachchána námiká, suwannawanna itthichasurúpá abhipatthita
Tudatthań satta rájáno pannákáré mahárahé pesésuń rájino tassa ; bhíto rájúbhi só pana ;
Natwána sotthigamanań abhisékaphalampicha sahadwattińsa itthíhi nawań dropiyá sutań.
Gangáyakhipi," ganhantupahú mé dhitarań” iti “gahétuń” té nasakkhińsú. Náwá sá pana sighawá,
Dutiyé diwasé yéwa Gónagámaka paṭṭanań pattá; pabbajitákárań sabbá tá tattha otaruń,
Puchchhitwa nagarań éttha tá, kaménópayantiyó Upatissagáman sampattá, déwatá paripálitá.
Némittakassa wachanań sutwá; tattha gatá tathá, diswá, amachché puchchhitwa ṇatwá, rańḥo samappyi.
Tan Panduwásudéwań té amachchá suddhabuddhino rajjé samabhísinchińsú, punnasabbamanórathań.
Subhaddakachchánamanómarúpinin mahésibháwé abhiséchayattanó, sahágata táya padási attaná-
Sahágatánań; wasi bhúmipó sukhanti.

Sujanappasádasańwégatthaya katé Maháwańsé "Panduwasadéwábhísékó" náma aṭṭhamo parichchhédo.

The Sakya prince Amitódano (the paternal uncle of Buddho) had a son, the Sakya Pandu: on account of the wars of prince Widudhabhasso, taking his own people with him, but alleging some other plea (than that of yielding to the power of his enemy), he (Pandu) retired beyond the river (Ganges). There founding a settlement, he ruled over that country.

He had seven sons, and a daughter named Bhaddakachchána, the youngest of the family: her complexion had the tint of gold, and her person was endowed with female charms of irresistible fascination. On her account, seven kings sent valuable presents to this sovereign; who becoming alarmed at (the competition of) these royal suitors, and having ascertained (by consulting fortune-tellers) that the mission would be a propitious one, as well as that an investiture of royalty would ensue, embarked his daughter with thirty two attendant females in a vessel. Proclaiming, "Let him who is able to take my daughter, take her;" he launched her into the river (Ganges). They (the suitors) failed in the attempt. The vessel being swift, they reached the port of Gónagamaka on the twelfth day, and all these females landed there in the disguise of devotees. There inquiring for the capital, these travellers in due course, protected by the dévatás, reached Upatissa. The ministers having already consulted the fortune-teller (Kálawélo), and having waited on the females who had arrived (at Wijitta), in fulfilment of that prediction, having also made inquiries (there) regarding them and identified them, they presented them to the king (at Upatissa.)

These ministers, in the plenitude of their wisdom, installed in the sovereignty this Panduwásadéwo, who had thoroughly realized every wish of his heart.

This sovereign of the land having elevated the lovely Bhaddakachchána to the station. of queen consort, and bestowed her followers on his followers, reigned in prosperity (at Wijittapura).

The eighth chapter in the Mahawanso, entitled, "the inauguration of Panduwásadéwo,” composed both to delight and afflict righteous men.

NAVAMO PARICHCHHEDO.

Mahési janayi putté dasa, ékanchadhitarań ; sabbajeṭṭhóbhayo náma, Chittánáma kaniṭṭiká,
Passitwa tań wiyákunsú bráhmaná mantapáragá, “rajjahétu sútó assá ghátayissati mátulé."
“Gátessáma kaniṭṭhinti” nichchhité ; bhátarábhayó wárési. Kálé wásésuń géhé tań ékathûnike,
Rannócha sirigabbhéna tassa dwáramakárayuń; antó thapésuń ékancha dásiń, nara satań bahi.
Rúpénummádayi naré ditthamattáwa, súyató tató“ Ummádachittáti” námań sópapadań labhi.
Sutwána Lańkágamanań Bhaddakachchána déwiyá, mátará choditá, puttá, thapetwékancha ágamuń.
Diswána té Panduwásudewalańkindamagat á, diswána tań kaniṭṭhincha, roditwá sahat ayacha.
Rańná sukatasakkárá, rańṇánuńṇaya chárikań charińsu Lańkádipamhi niwásancha yatharuchin.
Ráména wasitaṭṭhánań Rámagónanti uchchati; Uruwelánurádhánań niwásácha, tathá, tathá.

CHAP. IX.

The queen gave birth to ten sons and one daughter. The eldest of them all was Abhayo; the youngest their sister Chittá.

Certain brahmans, accomplished in the "mantras," and endowed with the gift of divination, having scrutinized her, thus predicted: "Her (Chitta's) son, will destroy his maternal uncles, for the purpose of usurping the kingdom."

Her brothers proposed, in reply, "Let us put our sister to death." (doubting the truth of the prediction) prevented them.

But Abhayo

In due course (when she attained nubile years) they confined her in an apartment built on a single pillar: the entrance to that room they made through the royal dormitory of the king, and placed a female slave attendant within, and (a guard of) one hundred men without. From her exquisite beauty, the instant she was seen, she captivated the affections of men by her fascination. From that circumstance she obtained the appropriate appellation of Ummáda-Chittá (Chittá, the charmer).

The sons of (the Sakya Pandu) having fully informed themselves of the nature of the mission of the princess Baddakchchána to Lanká, and being specially commissioned by their mother (Susimá), they repaired hither, leaving one brother (Gamini with their parents).

Those who had thus arrived, having been presented to Panduwásadéwo, the sovereign of Lanka, they commingled their tears of joy with her's, on their meeting with their sister.

Maintained in all respects by the king, under the royal protection they (travelled) over Lanká, selecting settlements for themselves according to their own wishes. The settlement called Rámagóna was occupied by the prince (who thereby acquired the appellation of) Rámo. In like manner the settlements of Urawélo and Anurádho (by princes who thereby acquired those names). Similarly the villages Wijitto, Dígháyu,

Tatha Wijita-Digháyu-Róhanánań niwásaká, Wijitagámé Dígháyu Róhananticha wúchcharé,
Kárési Anurádhé só wápiń, dakkhiṇató tató, kárápetwá rájagéhań; tattha wásamakappayi,
Mahárájá Panduwásadéwo jeṭṭhasutań sakán Abhayan, uparajjamhi, kálé, samabhiséchayi,
Dighawussa kumárassa tanayó Dighagámani, sutwá Ummádachittań tań, tassá játakutúhalo,
Gantwápatissagámań tań apassi manujádhipan adá sahóparájéna rájúpaṭṭhánamassa só
Gawakkhabhimukhaṭṭháné tań upechcha thitátu sá diswána Gámaniń, Chitta rattachittáhu dásikań :
Kó ésóti?" tató sutwá, “mátulassa sutó” ití, dásiń tattha niyójési. Sandhiń katwána, só tató,
Gawakkhamhi wasápetwá, rattiń kukkuṭayantakań áruyiha, chhindayitwána kawáṭań, téna páwisi.
Táyasaddhin wasitwána pachchuséyéwa nikkhami; ewań nichchań wasi tattha, chhiddábháwa apákatá.
Sá téna aggahí gabbhań, gabbhó pariṇató tató, mátuáróchayí dási, mátá puchchhi sadhítarań,
Ranno drochayi. Rájá ámantetwá sutébruwi “pósiyó sópi amhéhí; déma tasséwa tań” iti.

[ocr errors]

and Róhana, having been selected for settlements, conferred appellations on Wijitto, Díghayú, and Róhano.

This maharaja Panduwásadévo formed a tank at Anurádho. To the southward thereof, he built a palace. In due course, he installed his eldest son Abhayo, in the dignity of sub-king, and established him there,

Dighagámini, the son of prince Digháyu, having heard of (the transcendent beauty of) Ummáda-Chitta, and conceiving an ardent passion for her, proceeded (attended by two slaves, Gópakachitto and Kalawélo) to Upatissa, and presented himself before the sovereign. He (the king) assigned to him, conjointly with the sub-king, the charge of the royal household.

The aforesaid Chittá, who was in the habit of taking up her station near the door (of her pillared prison) which faced the royal dormitory, having watched this Gamini, inquired of her slave attendant, "Who is that person?" She replied, "The son of thy maternal uncle." Having ascertained this point, she employed the slave in carrying on an intrigue (by sending the prince presents of betel leaves, and receiving from him fragrant flowers and other gifts.)

Subsequently, having made his assignation, desiring that the entrance facing the royal dormitory should be closed; in the night, ascending by an iron ladder, and enlarging a ventilating aperture, by that passage he obtained admission into the apartment. Having passed the night with her, at the very dawn of day, he departed. In this manner he constantly resorted thither. The aperture in the wall remained undetected. By this (intercourse) she became pregnant. Thereupon, her womb enlarging, the slave disclosed the circumstance to the mother. The mother satisfied herself of the fact from her own daughter, and announced the event to the king. The king consulting his sons, said: "He (Gámini) is a person to be protected by us. Let us bestow her on himself. Q

"Puttó ché márayissama tanti ;" Tassa adańsu tań. Pasútikálé sampatté sútigéhancha páwisi.
Sańkitwa Gopakachittań Kaluwélancha dásakań tasmin kammé nissáy áti Gámaṇiparich áraké,
Té patinnan adanté té rájaputtá aghátayuń. Yakkhá hutwána rakkhinsú ubhó gabhhakumárakań.
Annań upawijaṇṇań sá sallakkhápési dásiyá Chittá; sá janayí puttań; sa itthipana dhitarań,
Chitta sahassan dapetwá tassáputtań sakampicha, ánápetwa dhitaran tań nipajjápési santiké,
"Dhítá laddháti" sutwána rájá puttá sutá ahuń; mátácha mátumátácha, ubhopana kumárakań.
Mátámahassa námancha jéṭṭhassa matulassucha ikań katwá namakaruń Panḍukábhayan ámakań.
Lankapáló Panduwásadéwó rajjamak árayi tińsa wassáni játamhi mató só Panḍukábhayo.
Tasmin matasmin manujádhipasmin, sabbé samágamma narindaputtá tassábhayass ábhayadassa bhȧtu-
rájábhisékań akaruń uláranti.

Sujanappasádasańwégatthaya katé Mahawańsé" Abhay ábhisékó" náma nawamó parichchhédó.

Abhayábhisékó”

Should it (the child in the womb) prove to be a son, we will put him to death." They (on this compact) bestowed her on him.

When the time for her delivery arrived, she retired to the apartment prepared for her confinement,

The princes doubting whether the slaves Gópakachitto and Kálawélo, who were the adherents of Gámini, could be trusted in this matter, and would give information (as to the sex of the infant), put them to death.

These two persons, transforming themselves into yakkhos, watched over the destiny of the unborn prince.

Chittá had (previously) by the means of her slave, searched out a woman, who was near her confinement. She gave birth to a son, and that woman to a daughter. Chittá entrusting her own son and a thousand (pieces) to her, (sent her away); and causing her daughter to be brought, she reared her in her own family. The princes were informed that a daughter was born; but the mother and maternal grandmother both (knew) that the infant was a prince; and uniting the titles of his grandfather and eldest maternal uncle, they gave him the name of Pandukábhayo,

The protector of Lanká, Panduwásadévo reigned thirty years, dying at the period of the birth of Panduk ábhayo.

At the demise of this sovereign, the sons of that monarch having assembled, they installed her (Chittá's) brother Abhayo, who had been her preserver, in this renowned sovereignty.

The ninth chapter in the Mahawanso, entitled, "the installation of Abhayo," composed both to delight and to afflict righteous men.

DASAMO PARICHCHHEDO.

Ummádachitt áy ánantá dási ádáya dárakań sumuggé pakkhipitwána Dwáramanḍalakań agá.
Rájaputtácha migawań gatá Tumbarakandaré diswá dasiń: “ kuhiń yási ?” “kimétanticha ?” puchchhisuń.
"Dwaramandalakań yámi dhitu mé gulapúwakań,” ichcháha “órópéhíti" rájaputtá tamabrawuń.
Chittocha, Kalawélócha tassa rakkháyaniggatá, mahantań súkarań wésań, tań khanańyéwa, dassayuń,
Té tań samanubandhinsú. Sá tamádáya tattragá, dárakancha sahassancha áyuttassa adá rahó.
Tasminyéwa diné tassa bhariya janayi sutań; "yamaké janayi putté bhariyámétí;" sapositań.
Só sattawassikóchápi tań wijániya mátulá hantuń sarasikilanté dárakécha payójayuń.
Jalaṭṭhań rukkhasusirań jalachchháditachhiddakań nímujjamánó chhiddéna pawisitwá, chirań thitó.
Tató tatthacha nikkhamma, kumáro sésadáraké, upéchcha puchchhiyantópi, wanchitań, ṛéwachóhi, só.
Manussá tattha gantwána, tań sarań pariwáriya, Agatéhi naréhéwa, niwá—

sétwána watthakań, kumáró, wárimogayiha, susiramhi țhito ahu.

Watthak dni gańetwána; máretwá sésadáraké, ganwá áróchayuń, “sabbé dáraká máritá,” iti.

CHAP. X.

At the desire of Ummádachitta, the slave girl (Kumbokatá), taking the infant and placing it in a basket-cradle, departed for the village Doramadala.

The princes who were elk hunting, meeting the slave at Tumbakandura, inquired of her, "Whither art thou going? What is this?" "I am going to Doramadala," she replied, "with some cakes for my daughter," "Set it down," said the princes. At that critical moment, Chitto and Kálawélo, who had attended her for the protection of the prince, presented to the (princes') view the form of a great wild boar. They eagerly gave chase to the animal. She, taking the infant and the thousand pieces, proceeded to the destined place of concealment, and secretly gave them to the person intended to have the charge of them. On that very day, the wife of this herdsman brought forth a son. Giving it out, "My wife has given birth to twin sons," he took charge of him (the prince) also.

When he attained his seventh year, his uncles having ascertained his existence, ordered the boys who resorted to a certain marsh (in his vicinity) for amusement, to be destroyed. There was a hollow tree growing in the waters (of that marsh), having an aperture under water. He was in the habit of diving and entering by this aperture, and of taking up his station frequently there. And when this young prince emerged from thence, on being accosted and questioned by the other boys, he, artfully concealing the deception practised, accounted in some other manner for his (absence).

The people (sent by the princes) having come to that place, surrounded the marsh. The young prince, at the instant these men came, putting on his clothes, and diving under water, placed himself in the hollow of the tree. Counting the number of the clothes (left on the bank), and putting to death the rest of the boys, returning, they reported to the uncles, "All the boys are destroyed." When they had departed, he (the prince) returned to his

« PreviousContinue »