Ja 130 The Story about the Adulteress Kosiyā
(Kosiyajātaka)
In the present a virtuous brahmin is being cheated on by his wife who makes him work for her every whim. The Buddha tells a similar story of the past, and how he advised a brahmin so as to cure his wife named Kosiyā with an unpleasant alternative (full story).
1. Yathā vācā ca bhuñjassu, yathā bhuttañ-ca byāhara,
Ubhayaṁ te na sameti vācā bhuttañ-ca, Kosiye ti.
Accordingly, you can enjoy your words, and you can speak of food, however, you cannot have both the words and the food, Kosiyā.
In this connection, accordingly, you can enjoy your words, accordingly, as are your words, so you can enjoy. “Wind pierces me,” with these words, making them suitable, you can enjoy, this is the meaning. “Your words, or,” this reading is also suitable. “With these words,” is another reading, in each case it has the same meaning.
And you can speak of food, that which is your food, you can speak of it suitably. After saying: “I am healthy,” you must do the household chores, this is the meaning. “Truthfully,” this is also a reading, or, having said truthfully: “I am healthy,” you must do your work, this is the meaning.
However, you cannot have both the words and the food, Kosiyā, these are your words: “Wind pierces me,” and this excellent food has been eaten, but you cannot have both of these, therefore, having risen, you must do your work.
“Kosiyā,” he calls her by her clan name.