[864]
Sons of gentlefolk were carried by me, both on my back and by cart —
that was the outflow (nissanda) of that deed (kamma) of mine: going after another's wife.
Passing away from there, O Vedeha, I became a monkey in the great forest,
my testicles torn out by the insolent leader of the herd —
that was the outflow of that deed of mine: going after another's wife.
Passing away from there, O Vedeha, I became a beast of burden among the Dasannas,
castrated, swift and fine; long was the carriage drawn by me —
that was the outflow of that deed of mine: going after another's wife.
Passing away from there, O Vedeha, I came to a family among the Vajjis,
and was neither woman nor man — in the human state so hard to obtain —
that was the outflow of that deed of mine: going after another's wife.
Passing away from there, O Vedeha, I was born in the Nandana Grove,
in the Tāvatiṃsa realm — a celestial nymph (accharā) of desirable beauty,
in varicoloured garments and adornments, wearing jewelled earrings,
skilled in dance and song, an attendant of Sakka.
Abiding there, O Vedeha, I remember these births,
and also seven in time to come, to which I shall go when passed from here.
That good deed (kusala) which I did at Kosambī has come round in its turn:
when I pass from here, I shall fare on among devas and human beings.
For seven births, O great king, ever honored and revered,
yet from the state of a woman I shall not be freed — such are these six destinies.
And the seventh destiny, sire: a young deva (devaputta) of great power —
a male deity I shall become, supreme in the host of devas.
Even today they are weaving a garland of santāna flowers in Nandana,
and there the young deva named Java is he who will receive my garland.
Sixteen years here are but a single celestial moment;
one celestial night-and-day is a hundred human autumns.
Thus deeds follow after one, even through incalculable births —
be they good or evil; for indeed no deed perishes.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.