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 1225, a ka khai year, on the sixth waning-moon day of the twelfth [lunar] month, the seventh day of the week. May this merit support me to reach Nibbāna. Monk Bindā wrote the manuscript at Wat Ban Hong that day.
Buddho homi anāgate kāle niccaṃ dhuvaṃ
Recitation word for a wish fulfillment: cittaṃ cetasikaṃ rūpaṃ nibbāna mitibbaṭṭhamānaṃ
Let the Dhamma of the Buddha accompany ourselves to prevent us from hell. Praying it every morning and evening is very good.
Nibbāna paccayo hotu no niccaṃ dhuvaṃ nibbānaṃ paramaṃ sukkhaṃ.
Other notes:
The date corresponds to Saturday, 3 October 1863 (1225 Bhadrapada 21).