The text tells of an old Brahmin named Jūjaka who lived in Kalinga. He was wandering and begging and when he collected money, he left it with one of his friends. Because he stayed away so long, his friend spent all the money. When Jujaka came and asked for his money, they gave him their young beautiful daughter named Amittata instead. When Amittata was ridiculed by other brahmins’ wives for having an old husband, she asked Jūjaka to bring her Prince Vessantara’s children to work for her. Jūjaka left in accordance with her request.
Colophon:
In CS 1263, a ruang pao year, on the second waning-moon day of the sixth [lunar] month, the fourth day of the week, at noon, Monk Sommana wrote this manuscript at Wat Si Bun Rüang Ban Hong in Hariphunchai to sustain the continuation of the Teachings of the Buddha until [the end of] 5,000 years or long as the life of the manuscript. May I definitely become a Buddha.
Nibbāna paccayo hotu me metteyya santike anāgate kāle niccaṃ nibbānaṃ paramaṃ sukkhaṃ dhuvaṃ dhuvaṃ
Other notes:
This date corresponds to Tuesday, 25 March 1902 (1263 Phalguna 17).
Item 1 - Title in Native script:
เวสสันตรชาตกะ – ชูชก
Item 1 - Title in Roman script:
Vessantara Jātaka- Jūjaka
Item 1 - Title in English script:
Vessantara Jataka- Jujaka (An old Brahmin named Jūjaka)