[121]
Immediately after the Sugata Atthadassī had attained Nibbāna,
I was reborn in the womb of the yakkhas; and at that time I attained glory.
"Alas, it was an ill gain for me, an ill dawning, an ill arising,
in that, while my wealth yet remained, the One with Vision attained final Nibbāna!"
Knowing my thought, the disciple named Sāgara,
desiring to lift me up, came into my presence.¹
"Why indeed do you grieve? Do not fear; practice the Dhamma, O wise one.
The accomplishment of true knowledge (vijjā) has been granted by the Buddha to all.
One who would honor the Sambuddha, the Leader of the World, while he yet stands,²
and one who would honor even a relic (dhātu) the measure of a mustard seed of him who has attained Nibbāna—
#¹ Burmese and European editions read: santikaṃ. ² European edition reads: siddhatthaṃ.
when the confidence of mind (citta) is equal, the merit, grown vast, is equal.
Therefore, having made a stūpa, honor the relics of the Jina."
Having heard the words of Sāgara, I made a stūpa for the Buddha;
for five years I attended upon the supreme stūpa of the Sage.
By that deed, O Lord of Bipeds, Eldest of the World, Bull among Men,
having enjoyed prosperity, I attained arahantship.
In the seven-hundredth aeon from now there were four named Bhūripañña,
wheel-turning monarchs endowed with the seven treasures, of great might.
The four analytic insights (paṭisambhidā), and these eight liberations (vimokkha) as well,
the six superknowledges (abhiññā) have been realized; the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
Thus indeed did the Venerable Elder Paccupaṭṭhānasaññaka speak these verses.
The Apadāna of the Elder Paccupaṭṭhānasaññaka is concluded.
The tenth: the Apadāna of the Elder Jātipūjaka (120)
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.