[151]
"In olden days, in the past, in his former births,
he brought together relatives, dear friends, and companions
who had long been lost, who had very long dwelt far from home;
and having restored their concord, he rejoiced.
By that deed he departed to the Third Heaven (tidiva),
and there he experienced happiness, play, and delights;
passing away from there and coming back here,
he finds that which his garment conceals enclosed within a sheath.
One of such a kind becomes possessed of abundant sons:
more than a thousand are the sons of his own body,
brave and heroic, scorchers of their foes,
begetting joy in him as a householder and speaking words of affection.
But more numerous still, when he has gone forth and fares in that life,
are the sons who become followers of his word.
Whether for the householder or for the one gone forth,
that mark is the illuminator of that meaning."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.