A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s3.t2.314

v2.c19.s3.t2.314

Prince Vessantara has taken a vow never to refuse to give anything which might be asked of him: "Should anyone ask me for my heart and eye, my flesh and blood, yea, my whole body, I shall give them up." As without consideration for the welfare of the land, he gives away a wonderful elephant, he is sent into banishment, whither he is followed by his faithful wife Maddī and his two little children. They have previously given everything away. In a four-horse carriage, their last possession, they drive away. Soon, however, they encounter a begging Brahman, to whom Vessantara gives the horses and carriage. On foot they wander on, carrying the children, and at last reach a hermitage in the forest, where they take up their abode. Then Sakka appears in the form of an ugly, wicked Brahman, who demands the children as slaves, and gets them.