This manuscript is a Jātaka or a story of one of the Buddha’s past lives given to his disciples. (Fascicle 2) One day, King Brahmadatta heard about Candādevī giving birth and invited them back to the palace. Candādevī was again slandered by Kòngkham; so they were floated away on a raft. Her son got lost on the way by strong waves. He was brought to a hermit by a nāga to be raised up. Candādevī went ashore at Maddarāja city. Suvaṇṇasaṅkha grew up and learnt several skills. When he finished studying, he was in search of his mother. On his journey he met a female ogre who transformed herself into a widow. The ogre raised him up. One day, he realized the truth that the widow was an ogre and tried to escape. He coated himself in a well of golden water and wore a cicada costume. He also brought magic objects with him.
Colophon:
In CS 1248, a rawai set year, on the ninth waning-moon day of the twelfth [lunar] month, the fourth day of the week, in the early afternoon (12:00–13:30), Monk Sommaṇa wrote this manuscript. May the merit become a big junk carrying me across the ocean to reach Nibbāna. May I attain the threefold happiness of which Nibbāna is the ultimate goal.
Other notes:
This date corresponds with Wednesday, 22 September 1886 (1248 Bhadrapada 24).