Ja 265 Khurappajātaka
The Story about the Arrow
In the present one monk has almost given up on the struggle. The Buddha tells him a story about a forester who acted as a guide for a merchant and was willing to lay down his life to ensure his client was delivered to his destination safely.
1. “Disvā khurappe dhanuveganunne,
“Seeing arrows impelled with speed from bow,
Khagge gahīte tikhiṇe teladhote, There is a break after the 5th syllable, and a restart of the break, both here and in the next verse, and also in line 1 of the 3rd verse. The -ī- in gahīte is m.c. here and below.
The sharp, tempered Lit: cleaned with oil, but it seems to mean they had been tempered. swords that were held aloft,
Tasmiṁ bhayasmiṁ maraṇe viyūḷhe,
When there was an imminent fear of death,
Kasmā nu te nāhu chambhitattan-ti.” The break is defective by one syllable, we could easily repair it by reading na āhu.
Why did you not speak about your terror?”
2. “Disvā khurappe dhanuveganunne,
“Seeing arrows impelled with speed from bow,
Khagge gahīte tikhiṇe teladhote,
The sharp, tempered swords that were held aloft,
Tasmiṁ bhayasmiṁ maraṇe viyūḷhe,
When there was an imminent fear of death,
Vedaṁ alatthaṁ vipulaṁ uḷāraṁ.
I received broad, noble inspiration.
3. So vedajāto ajjhabhaviṁ amitte,
Being inspired I conquered (all) my foes,
Pubbeva me jīvitam-āsi cattaṁ,
Formerly I abandoned this my life,
Na hi jīvite ālayaṁ kubbamāno
Being attached to his life, the hero
Sūro kayirā sūrakiccaṁ kadācī ti.” The opening is the non-standard Vedic opening of four heavy syllables.
Sometimes does not do a hero’s duty.”
Tattha,
In this connection, I received ... inspiration means I received satisfaction and happiness.
Vipulan-ti bahuṁ.
Broad means a lot of.
Uḷāran-ti uttamaṁ.
Noble means supreme.
Ajjhabhavin-ti jīvitaṁ pariccajitvā abhibhaviṁ.
I conquered means abandoning life, I conquered.
Pubbeva me jīvitam-āsi cattan-ti,
Formerly I abandoned this my life,
mayā pubbeva tava hatthato bhatiṁ gaṇhanteneva jīvitaṁ cattam-āsi.
formerly I abandoned this my life by accepting the payment from your hand.
Na hi jīvite ālayaṁ kubbamāno ti,
Being attached to his life,
jīvitasmiñ-hi nikantiṁ kurumāno,
one who has desire for his life,
purisakiccaṁ kadāci pi na karoti.
sometimes does not do a man’s duty.