Ja 102 The Story about the Greengrocer
(Paṇṇikajātaka)
In the present a grocer wants to give his daughter away in marriage, but first needs to confirm her virtue, so he takes her to the forest to test her. Cf. Ja 217 Seggujātaka. Convinced by her conduct, he gave her in marriage. The Buddha explains that the same events had taken place in a previous life (full story).
1. Yo dukkhaphuṭṭhāya bhaveyya tāṇaṁ,
So me pitā, dubbhi vane karoti,
Sā kassa kandāmi vanassa majjhe?
Yo tāyitā, so sahasaṁ karotī ti.
The one who should shelter me from suffering, my father, is treacherous inside the woods, to whom will I cry out amidst the woods? He who protects me, offers violence.
In this connection, the one who should shelter me from suffering means the one who should be established as a protector, a strong protector, from feeling suffering in the body and mind.
My father, is treacherous inside the woods means my father who protects against suffering, in the woods, does such a deed like one teacherous to friends, he thinks to transgress against his own daughter by birth, this is the meaning.
To whom will I cry out means to home will I wail? Who will be my support? this is the explanation.
He who protects me, offers violence means he who is my protector, guarding me, worthy to be my helper, my father, does a deed of violence, this is the meaning.