1.1“Ariṭṭhasavhaye nagare,“In the city called Ariṭṭha1.2sivināmāsi khattiyo;I was the aristocrat named Sivi.1.3Nisajja pāsādavare,Seated in my finest longhouse,1.4evaṁ cintesahaṁ tadā.I then had the following thought:

2.1‘Yaṁ kiñci mānusaṁ dānaṁ,‘Whatever human gifts there are,2.2adinnaṁ me na vijjati;none may be found that I have not given.2.3Yopi yāceyya maṁ cakkhuṁ,Even if someone were to ask for my eye,2.4dadeyyaṁ avikampito’.I would give it without wavering.’

3.1Mama saṅkappamaññāya,Knowing my thoughts,3.2sakko devānamissaro;Sakka the lord of gods,3.3Nisinno devaparisāya,sitting in the assembly of gods3.4idaṁ vacanamabravi.said the following.

4.1‘Nisajja pāsādavare,‘Seated in his finest longhouse,4.2sivirājā mahiddhiko;the mighty King Sivi4.3Cintento vividhaṁ dānaṁ,is thinking of manifold gifts4.4adeyyaṁ so na passati.and cannot see any he would not give.

5.1Tathaṁ nu vitathaṁ netaṁ,Is this true or not?5.2handa vīmaṁsayāmi taṁ;Come, let us test him.5.3Muhuttaṁ āgameyyātha,Wait a while5.4yāva jānāmi taṁ manaṁ’.until I know his mind.’

6.1Pavedhamāno palitasiro,Appearing as a frail old man,6.2Valigatto jarāturo;with grey hair and wrinkled skin,6.3Andhavaṇṇova hutvāna,feeble and blind,6.4Rājānaṁ upasaṅkami.he approached the king.

7.1So tadā paggahetvāna,Then, stretching out7.2vāmaṁ dakkhiṇabāhu ca;his left and right arms,7.3Sirasmiṁ añjaliṁ katvā,he raised his cupped palms to his head7.4idaṁ vacanamabravi.and said the following.

8.1‘Yācāmi taṁ mahārāja,‘Great king, I have a request for you.8.2dhammika raṭṭhavaḍḍhana;Under your just rule the kingdom has flourished,8.3Tava dānaratā kitti,and the renown of your love of giving8.4uggatā devamānuse.has risen among gods and humans.

9.1Ubhopi nettā nayanā,Both my eyes, by which I find my way,9.2andhā upahatā mama;are ruined and become blind.9.3Ekaṁ me nayanaṁ dehi,Give me just one eye,9.4tvampi ekena yāpaya’.while you too get by with one.’

10.1Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,After hearing his words10.2haṭṭho saṁviggamānaso;I was thrilled, my mind elated,10.3Katañjalī vedajāto,so with cupped palms, inspired,10.4idaṁ vacanamabraviṁ.I said the following.

11.1‘Idānāhaṁ cintayitvāna,‘Just now I was reflecting on this11.2pāsādato idhāgato;when I came here from the longhouse.11.3Tvaṁ mama cittamaññāya,Understanding my mind,11.4nettaṁ yācitumāgato.you have come to ask for an eye.

12.1Aho me mānasaṁ siddhaṁ,Oh! My wish has come true!12.2saṅkappo paripūrito;My intention is fulfilled!12.3Adinnapubbaṁ dānavaraṁ,Today I shall give to a supplicant12.4ajja dassāmi yācake.a fine gift never before given.’

13.1Ehi sivaka uṭṭhehi,‘Come Sivaka, stand up,¹13.2mā dandhayi mā pavedhayi;do not hesitate or waver.13.3Ubhopi nayanaṁ dehi,Pluck out even both eyes13.4uppāṭetvā vaṇibbake’.and give them to the supplicant.’

14.1Tato so codito mayhaṁ,And then, urged on by me,14.2sivako vacanaṁ karo;Sivaka did as I said.14.3Uddharitvāna pādāsi,Extracting both eyes,14.4tālamiñjaṁva yācake.he presented them to the trembling supplicant.

15.1Dadamānassa dentassa,‘While planning to give, while giving,²15.2dinnadānassa me sato;and after I had given,15.3Cittassa aññathā natthi,my mind did not falter,15.4bodhiyāyeva kāraṇā.because it was solely for awakening.

16.1Na me dessā ubho cakkhū,It was not because I disliked my eyes,16.2attā na me na dessiyo;or that I disliked myself,16.3Sabbaññutaṁ piyaṁ mayhaṁ,but because omniscience is precious to me,16.4tasmā cakkhuṁ adāsahan”ti.that is why I gave away my eyes.’”

17.1Sivirājacariyaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.