[141] When the Blessed One Konāgamana [was dwelling] in [his] residence in the Saṅgha's park (saṅghārāma),
we — three women who were friends — gave the gift of a dwelling (vihāradāna).
Ten times, a hundred times, and a hundred times a hundred
we were reborn among the devas — what to say of human existence?
Having been of great power among the devas — what to say of the human state? —
I became the woman-treasure (itthīratana), chief queen (mahesī) of [the monarch endowed with] the seven treasures.
[That was] the wholesome deed accumulated there: offspring of very prosperous families —
Dhanañjānī and Khemā, and I too, three persons —
having had a park well made, adorned in all its parts,
and having presented it to the Saṅgha with the Buddha at its head, we rejoiced.
Wherever I was reborn, by the force of that deed
I attained the foremost state among the devas, and likewise among human beings.
In this very aeon (kappa) there arose the kinsman of Brahmā, of great fame,
Kassapa by name, the best of speakers.
The attendant of the Great Sage (mahesi) at that time was the lord of men,
the king of Kāsi, Kikī by name, in Bārāṇasī, supreme among cities.
He had seven daughters, royal maidens established in comfort;
delighting in attendance upon the Buddha, they lived the holy life (brahmacariya).
Having become their companion, well composed in the moral precepts,
giving gifts with due care, I kept the observance (vatta) even in the household.
Through that deed well done, and through [my] intention and aspirations,
on abandoning the human body I went to Tāvatiṃsa.
Passing away from there, [I went to] the Yāma heaven; from there I went to Tusita;
from there to Nimmānarati; [thence] I went to the city of Vasavatti.
Wherever I was reborn, endowed with meritorious deeds,
in each of those very places I exercised the chief queenship of kings.
Passing away from there, in the human state
I exercised the chief queenship of wheel-turning monarchs (cakkavatti) and of kings of realms.
Having enjoyed prosperity among devas and among human beings,
happy in every place, I wandered on through many births.
That was the cause, that the origin, that the root — that [my] acceptance (khama) in the Teaching;
that was the first coming together (samodhāna); that, for one delighting in the Dhamma, was quenching.
My defilements (kilesa) have been burned away; all existences (bhava) have been extirpated;
like a she-elephant that has burst her bonds, I dwell free of taints (āsava).
Welcome indeed was my coming into the presence of the Best of Buddhas:
the three true knowledges (vijjā) have been attained; the Buddha's teaching has been done.
The four analytic insights (paṭisambhidā), and also these eight liberations (vimokkha),
and the six superknowledges (abhiññā) have been realized; the Buddha's teaching has been done.
Thus indeed did the bhikkhunī Sumedhā speak these verses.
The Apadāna of Sumedhā Therī is concluded.
The Second: the Apadāna of Mekhaladāyikā Therī (2)
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.