Ja 20 The Story about Cane Juice
(Naḷapānajātaka)
In the present the monks find that the cane sticks their novices collect are useless, as they are hollow throughout. The Buddha tells how this came about in a previous life when through the power of the truth he determined it should be so (full story).
1. Disvā padam-anuttiṇṇaṁ, disvānotaritaṁ padaṁ,
Naḷena vāriṁ pivissāma, neva maṁ tvaṁ vadhissasī ti.
Seeing footsteps that didn’t cross, seeing footsteps that descended, we will drink the water with reeds, but you will surely not kill me.
This is the meaning: monastics, the king of monkeys, did not see in that lake even one footprint that crossed over, but he saw a footstep that descended. Thus seeing footsteps that didn’t cross, seeing footsteps that descended.
Knowing: “For sure this lake is possessed by Amanussas,” conversing with his group he said: We will drink the water with reeds. This is the meaning: we will drink water with reeds from your lake.
Again the Great Being said: But you will surely not kill me. In this way drinking water with a reed together with my group you will never slaughter me, this is the meaning.