[2]
"Your grand couch (pīṭha) made of beryl (veḷuriya),
swift as thought, goes wherever you wish;
adorned, wearing garlands, beautifully dressed,
you shine like lightning upon the crest of a cloud.
By what is such beauty (vaṇṇa) yours? By what does this prosper for you here?
And by what do there arise for you enjoyments (bhogā), whatever are dear to the mind?
I ask you, O goddess (devī) of great power:
when you were a human being, what merit (puñña) did you do?
By what is your power so blazing,
and why does your beauty shine in all directions?"
That deity (devatā), elated at being questioned by Moggallāna,
when asked the question, explained of what deed (kamma) this is the fruit:
"When I was a human being among humans,
I gave a seat to guests who arrived;
I paid homage, I made the reverential salutation with joined palms (añjali),
and I gave gifts according to my means.
By that is such beauty mine; by that does this prosper for me here;
and by that do there arise for me enjoyments, whatever are dear to the mind.
I declare to you, O bhikkhu of great power,
what merit I did when I was a human being:
by that is my power so blazing,
and my beauty shines in all directions."
The Second Couch Mansion (Pīṭhavimāna).
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.