Ja 124 The Story about the Mangoes
(Ambajātaka)
In the present one monk is very virtuous in all his actions, and attracts a generous support for all who dwell with him. The Buddha tells a story of how once during a drought, when living as an ascetic, he had put aside his own needs to cater to watering the animals in the forest, and how they had repaid him (full story).
1. Vāyametheva puriso, na nibbindeyya paṇḍito,
Vāyāmassa phalaṁ passa bhuttā ambā anītihan-ti.
A person must make an effort, the wise one should not be weary, this is not just hearsay: having eaten the mangoes, see the fruit of the one who exerts himself.
In this connection, this is a summary of the meaning: a wise person must make an effort in deeds fulfilling his duties and so on, and should not be annoyed.
What is the reason? For the one who makes an effort there is not a lack of fruitfulness.
Thus the Great Being said: “One who makes an effort certainly becomes one with fruit,” addressing the crowd of seers, he said: “See the fruit of the one who makes an effort.”
What kind? Having eaten the mangoes. In this connection, mangoes is said merely as an illustration, various kinds of fruit were brought by them. Amongst them because they are a ripe or abundant kind: “Mangoes,” is said. Without having gone to the wilderness with these five hundred seers, those who, having eaten the mangoes brought for the benefit of one, this is the fruit of the one who exerts himself.
But this is not just hearsay: “He says this, he says that,” thus he should not grasp through hearsay, he should see the fruit personally.