[149]
In the city of Haṃsavatī I was then a wandering woman;
seeking the wholesome (kusala), I went from monastery to monastery.
On a day of the dark fortnight (kālapakkha) I saw the supreme Bodhi tree;
having gladdened my mind (citta) there, I sat down at the root of the Bodhi tree.
Setting up a mind of reverence, raising my joined palms upon my head,
showing forth my joy (somanassa), I thought thus at that very moment:
"If the Buddha is one of measureless qualities, a person without equal,
let him show me a miracle (pāṭihāriya): let this Bodhi tree blaze with light!"
Together with my very adverting to it, the Bodhi tree blazed up at that instant;
it became all of gold, and it shone toward every quarter.
For seven nights and days I sat there at the root of the Bodhi tree;
when the seventh day arrived, I performed the lamp-offering (dīpa-pūjā).
Surrounding the seat, I kindled five lamps;
and my lamps kept burning then until the sun arose.
By that deed well done, and by my volition and aspirations (cetanā, paṇidhi),
having abandoned the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.
There my well-made mansion was called "Pañcadīpā" ("Five Lamps"):
a hundred yojanas in height, sixty yojanas in breadth.
Lamps beyond reckoning blazed all around me;
as far as the abode of the devas extended, it glowed with the light of lamps.
Though remaining with my face toward the east, if I wish to see,
I see everything with my eye — above, below, and across.
As far as I desire to see deeds well done and ill done,
no obstruction is there, whether among trees or mountains.
I exercised the estate of chief queen of eighty deva-kings;
I exercised the estate of chief queen of a hundred wheel-turning monarchs (cakkavatti).
Into whatever womb I was reborn, whether divine or human,
a hundred thousand lamps blazed all around me.
Having passed away from the deva world, I arose in my mother's womb;
while I dwelt within my mother's womb, my eye never closed.
A hundred thousand lamps, for me who was endowed with meritorious deeds,
blazed in the very lying-in chamber: this is the fruit of the five lamps.
When my final existence arrived, I turned my mind away;
I beheld Nibbāna, unaging and undying, the state of coolness (sītibhāva).
At seven years from birth I attained arahantship;
the Buddha Gotama, having recognized my qualities, granted me the full ordination (upasampadā).
In a pavilion, or at the root of a tree, in palaces, or in caves,
or in an empty dwelling, as I meditate, five lamps burn for me.
My divine eye (dibbacakkhu) is purified; I am skilled in concentration (samādhi);
I have attained the perfection of the superknowledges (abhiññā): this is the fruit of the five lamps.
With every consummation consummated, my task done, without taints (āsava),
I, Pañcadīpā — O great hero, One with Vision — worship at your feet.
A hundred thousand eons from this one, when I gave that lamp —
since then I know of no bad destination (duggati): this is the fruit of the five lamps.
My defilements (kilesa) have been burned away; all existences have been extirpated;
like a she-elephant that has burst her bonds, I dwell without taints.
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 analytical knowledges (paṭisambhidā), and also these eight liberations (vimokkha),
and the six superknowledges (chaḷabhiññā) have been realized; the Buddha's teaching has been done.
Thus indeed did the bhikkhunī Pañcadīpikā utter these verses.
The Apadāna of the Therī Pañcadīpikā is concluded.
Tenth: the Apadāna of the Therī Udakadāyikā (10)
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.