[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Literature, language and dating](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature) › [A History of Indian Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927) › v2.c19.s3.t2.314 # A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s3.t2.314 A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s3.t2.314 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c19.s3.t2.314](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.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. - [Previous: v2.c19.s3.t2.313](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s3.t2.313) - [Next: v2.c19.s3.t2.315](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s3.t2.315) - [Up: v2.c19.s3.t2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s3.t2) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s3.t2.314](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.winternitz-1927.v2.c19.s3.t2.314) · Pramāṇa