[101] 4.
"Black you are, of ugly appearance, rough-skinned, fearful to behold;
yellow-eyed you are, with protruding fangs: I do not think that you are human."
"I am Nandā, O Nandasena; in the past I was your wife.
Having done an evil deed (pāpakamma), I have gone from here to the world of petas (petaloka)."
"Now what wrong was done by body, by speech, or by mind?
As the result of what kamma (kammavipāka) have you gone from here to the world of petas?"
"I was fierce and harsh, and I was disrespectful toward you;
having spoken ill words to you, I have gone from here to the world of petas."
"Come, I give you an outer garment (uttarīya); put on this cloth.
Having put on this cloth, come — I shall lead you home.
Clothing, and food and drink, you shall receive when you have gone home;
you shall see your sons, and you shall behold your daughters-in-law."
"What is given by you from hand into hand does not avail me;
but satisfy with food and drink bhikkhus accomplished in virtue,
free from lust (vītarāga), of great learning,
and dedicate the offering (dakkhiṇā) to me:
then I shall be happy, with every wish fulfilled."
Then he, having assented, "Very well," poured forth abundant gifts:
food and drink, solid food, clothing, and lodgings,
a parasol, perfume, and garlands, and sandals of various kinds;
and having satisfied with food and drink bhikkhus accomplished in virtue,
free from lust, of great learning, he dedicated the offering to her.
Immediately upon its dedication the result arose:
food, clothing, and drinking water — this is the fruit of the offering.
Then, pure, clothed in clean garments, wearing the finest Kāsi cloth,
adorned with variegated garments and ornaments, she approached her husband.
"O devatā, you who stand with surpassing beauty,
illuminating all the quarters like the morning star:
by what is such beauty yours? By what do you prosper here,
and why do there arise for you whatever possessions are dear to the mind?
I ask you, O goddess of great majesty:
what merit did you make when you were a human being?
By what is your majesty thus ablaze,
and why does your beauty shine forth in all the quarters?"
"I am Nandā, O Nandasena; in the past I was your wife.
Having done an evil deed, I went from here to the world of petas.
Through the gift given by you I rejoice, without fear from any quarter.
Long may you live, householder, together with all your relatives!
Having practiced the Dhamma here and given gifts, householder,
having removed the stain of stinginess together with its root,
blameless, you shall reach the sorrowless, dustless place,
the abode of those who wield power (vasavattī), the heavenly station (sagga)."
The Nandāpetavatthu, the fourth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.