[154] In the city of Haṃsavatī I was then a garland-maker;
my mother and my father had both gone out to their work.
When the sun stood at midday, I saw an ascetic (samaṇa)
walking along the street, and I made ready a seat.
Having spread the seat with fleecy rugs, embroidered coverlets, and the like,
with a confident mind, joyful, I spoke these words:
"The ground is scorched and burning; the sun stands at midday;
the breezes do not blow; and the time [for the meal] is about to pass.
This seat has been made ready for your sake, O great sage;
out of compassion, be seated upon my seat."
The ascetic, well tamed, of purified mind, sat down there;
taking his bowl, I gave [food] just as I had cooked it.
Through that deed well done, and through my intention and resolve,
on abandoning the human body I went to Tāvatiṃsa.
There a mansion was well made for me, well fashioned on account of the seat,
sixty yojanas in height, thirty yojanas in breadth.
Made of gold, made of gems, then too made of crystal,
and made of ruby as well — manifold were my couches.
With cotton mattresses and figured coverlets,
with gem-inwoven silks and embroidered spreads,
and with covers fleeced on one side, the nap upward —
my couches were well appointed.
Whenever I wish to travel, filled with mirth and play,
together with the finest of couches I go wherever I desire.
I held the rank of chief queen to eighty deva-kings;
I held the rank of chief queen to seventy wheel-turning monarchs (cakkavatti).
Wandering on through existence upon existence, I obtain great wealth;
there is no lack of wealth for me — this is the fruit of a single seat (ekāsana).
In two existences only do I transmigrate — the deva state and the human;
other existences I know not — this is the fruit of a single seat.
In two families only am I born — the khattiya and the brahmin;
everywhere I am of high family — this is the fruit of a single seat.
Grief that sears my mind I know not;
loss of beauty I know not — this is the fruit of a single seat.
Nurses attend upon me; hunchbacked women and serving-girls are many;
I go from arm to arm — this is the fruit of a single seat.
Some bathe me; others feed me with food;
some adorn me; others delight me always.
Others anoint me with perfumes — this is the fruit of a single seat.
As I dwell in a pavilion, at the foot of a tree, or in an empty dwelling,
perceiving my intention, a couch presents itself.
This is my last; my final existence is now proceeding.
Even today, having cast away royalty, I have gone forth into homelessness.
It was a hundred thousand aeons (kappa) from now that I gave that gift (dāna) then.
I know of no bad destination — this is the fruit of a single seat.
My defilements (kilesa) are burned up; all existences are 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),
the six superknowledges (abhiññā) have been realized; the Buddha's teaching has been done.
Thus indeed did the venerable bhikkhunī Ekāsanadāyikā speak these verses.
The Apadāna of the Therī Ekāsanadāyikā is concluded.
The fifth: the Apadāna of the Therī Pañcadīpadāyikā (15)
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.