Ja 51 The Story about One with Great Virtue
(Mahāsīlavajātaka)
In the present a monk gives up striving. To encourage him the Buddha tells a story of a king of old who persevered in mercy even when threatened with death; how he escaped being buried in the charnel ground, settled a dispute for two Yakkhas, and won back his kingdom and the lives of his subjects by his righteousness (full story).
1. Āsīsetheva puriso, na nibbindeyya paṇḍito,
Passāmi vohaṁ attānaṁ yathā icchiṁ tathā ahū ti.
Certainly keep up hope, my man, the wise one should not be weary, I see myself as one who really is resolved on being king.
In this connection, keep up hope, thinking: “Having established effort in this way I will be released from this suffering,” he has hope in the strength of his effort.
The wise one should not be weary, the wise man, skilled in means, in a suitable place, engaged in making effort, thinking: “I will not receive the fruit of this effort,” should not be dissatisfied, should not cut off hope, this is the meaning.
I see myself as one, today I see myself. As one ... really ... resolved on being king, surely after being released from the suffering of being buried in this pit, desiring the success of sovereignty for myself, I see myself as one who attains this success. Just as I desired it formerly, so it arises for myself.