[408] Formerly I was a deer-hunter in the forest, in the woodland;
while seeking a spotted (pasada) deer, I saw the Self-Become One (Sayambhū).
The Fully Awakened One (sambuddha) named Anuruddha, self-become, unvanquished —
desiring seclusion (viveka), that wise one then plunged deep into the forest.
Taking four poles, I set them up in four places;
having made a well-wrought pavilion, I roofed it over with lotus flowers.
Having roofed the pavilion, I bowed down to the Self-Become One;
laying down my bow right there, I went forth into homelessness.
Not long after I had gone forth, sickness arose in me;
recollecting my former deed, I met my end right there.
Conjoined with that former deed, I went to Tusita;
there a golden mansion arose for me according to my wish.
Established upon a divine, horse-drawn vehicle yoked with a thousand,
I mounted that carriage and went wherever I wished.
Then, as I was being borne along — while I was a deva —
a pavilion was held over me for a hundred yojanas all around.
I reclined upon a couch covered over and strewn with flowers,
and lotuses rained down from the sky perpetually.
When the mirage shimmers and the sunshine blazes down,
the burning heat does not scorch me: this is the fruit of the pavilion.
I have passed beyond the bad destination; the states of loss (apāya) are shut for me;
whether in a pavilion or at the root of a tree, no burning is found in me.
Resolving upon the perception of earth, I cross the briny water;
that deed of mine was well done: this is the fruit of the worship of the Buddha (buddhapūjā).
Making a path in the clouds, I travel along the pathway of the wind;
Oh, my deed was well done: this is the fruit of the worship of the Buddha.
I know my former abodes; the divine eye has been purified;
my taints (āsava) are utterly destroyed: this is the fruit of the worship of the Buddha.
My former birth has been abandoned; I am the Buddha's own son,
and I am an heir in the true Dhamma (saddhamma): this is the fruit of the worship of the Buddha.
I have won the favor of the Well-Gone One (Sugata), Gotama, the bull of the Sakyans;
a bearer of the Dhamma, an heir of the Dhamma: this is the fruit of the worship of the Buddha.
Having attended upon the Fully Awakened One, Gotama, the bull of the Sakyans,
I asked the Leader of the World about the path that leads to the far shore.
Being requested, the Buddha spoke the profound and subtle word;
having heard his Dhamma, I attained the destruction of the taints.
Oh, my deed was well done! I am fully released from birth;
with all taints utterly destroyed, there is now no renewed existence.
My defilements (kilesa) have been burned away; all existences have been extirpated;
like an elephant that has sundered its bonds, I dwell without taints.
Welcome indeed was my coming into the presence of my Buddha;
the three true knowledges have been attained; the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
The four analytic insights (paṭisambhidā), and also these eight liberations (vimokkha),
the six superknowledges (abhiññā) have been realized; the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
Thus indeed did the Venerable Nandaka the Elder speak these verses.
The Apadāna of the Elder Nandaka is concluded.
The Seventh: the Apadāna of the Elder Hemaka (407)
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.