[7] Kapiwaṭa in the text. The meaning is uncertain, kapi being a monkey, a sacred animal at Hindu temples. [↑]
[8] Perhaps because she would acquire sanctity through cooking the consecrated food. [↑]
[9] That is, made a vow to present or cook a food offering. [↑]
No. 254
Mātalānā
In a certain country there was a man called Mātalānā, it is said. This man was the son of the concubine of the King of that country, it is said. That Mātalānā from infancy was getting his living by committing robbery.
Having been committing robbery in this manner, and having arrived at the age of a young man, Mātalānā having spoken to his mother, asked, “Mother, who is our father?”
Thereupon his mother says to him, “Son, thou art not a so-so (esē-mesē) person. The King of this country is thy father.”
When his mother said thus, having said, “It is good. If so, I will do a good work,” he began to steal things belonging to the King. During the time while he is thus committing robbery, the King in various ways having fixed guards, endeavoured to catch the thief, but he was unable to seize him.