Kumāra or Kuman (the section on the children) is the eighth of the 13 sections of Vessantara Jataka. It tells of Brahmin Jūjaka who had arrived at Mount Vamka and stayed overnight near the hermitage of the ascetic Vessantara. At dawn on the next morning, Jūjaka waited until Princess Maddī went away to gather fruits. He then came out and begged Vessantara for Prince Jali and Princess Kanha. When the children realized that the Brahmin was asking for them, they were so scared that they hid themselves under the lotus leaves in the pond. Vessantara called them and made them understand his wishes. Then the ascetic gave them to Jūjaka who bound their hands together and dragged them out of there.
Colophon:
[The writing of this manuscript was completed] in CS 1245, a ka met year, on the ninth waxing-moon day of the twelfth [lunar] month, a Monday, at the time of the forenoon horn. I wrote this manuscript at Ban Lòng Matan and Ban Yang Som Yang Sum in Ban Hong. I, [Kha]nan (ex-monk) Gūṇā, wrote the manuscript titled Kumārapabba to sustain the continuation of the Teachings of the Buddha to last until [the end of] 5,000 years. May this merit support me and my family members.
Nibbāna paccayo hotu no niccaṃ dhuvaṃ.
Other notes:
This date corresponds with Tuesday, 25 September 1883 (1245 Bhadrapada 24).