Once upon a time the Bodhisatta was born as a poor young man named Narajīva. One day a poisonous snake bit his mother to death. He was really sorrowful but afraid to kill the snake as he realized sin. He made a wish that his mother revives. God Indra asked him to exchange a piece of his heart with her revival. He cut his heart with a knife and died. God Indra revived her life. His mother knew the truth and asked God Indra for help. The god revived his life because he devoted his own life to his mother.
Colophon:
[The writing of this manuscript] was completed in CS 1259, a ka rao year, at the time of the evening horn, a Sunday. I, Nòi (ex-novice) Kawichai, wrote the manuscript titled Narajīva to sustain the continuation of the Teachings of the Buddha until [the end of] 5,000 years. May I possess sharp wisdom and be able to understand complex puzzles.
May the merit derived from writing the manuscript be transferred to me and my family members. May all of us attain the threefold happiness of which Nibbāna is the ultimate one.
Nibbānaṃ paramaṃ sukhaṃ
I wrote the manuscript for Khruba Sommana of Wat Ban Hong.