[17]
The Victor (jina) named Padumuttara, gone to the far shore of all dhammas,
proclaiming the four truths (catusacca), brought many people across.
At that time I was a matted-hair ascetic (jaṭila) of fierce austerity;
shaking my garments of bark, I traveled then through the sky.
I could not manage to pass above the supreme Buddha;
like a bird that has struck against a crag, I could not make my way.
Having bathed in the water, thus I would travel through the sky;
never before had this disruption of my postures (iriyāpatha) befallen me.
"Come now, I shall seek out that [cause]; perhaps I may gain some benefit."
Descending from the sky, I heard the voice of the Teacher.
As, with a voice enticing and pleasant to hear, that speaker
discoursed upon impermanence (aniccatā), I then learned just that.
Having grasped the perception of impermanence (aniccasaññā), I went to my own hermitage;
having dwelt there for the full span of my life, there I met my end.
As my last moment was passing, I recalled that hearing of the true Dhamma (saddhamma);
by that deed well done, and by my intention and resolves,
having abandoned the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa;
for thirty thousand aeons (kappa) I delighted in the world of the devas.
Fifty-one times I exercised rulership over the devas,
and thirty-one times I was a wheel-turning monarch (cakkavatti);
extensive regional kingship I exercised, incalculable by count.
I enjoy my own merit; happy am I in existence after existence.
Wandering on from existence to existence, I recollect that perception;
yet by no means did I penetrate Nibbāna, the imperishable state (accuta pada).
An ascetic (samaṇa) with developed faculties, seated in my father's house,
setting forth a discourse, brought up impermanence therein:
"Impermanent indeed are conditioned things (saṅkhārā), their nature to arise and pass away;
having arisen, they cease; their stilling is bliss."
The moment I heard that verse, I recollected the perception in full;
seated on a single seat, I attained arahantship (arahatta).
In the seventh year from birth I attained arahantship;
the Buddha conferred on me the full ordination (upasampadā): this is the fruit of hearing the Dhamma (dhammassavana).
It was a hundred thousand aeons from now that I heard that Dhamma;
I know of no bad destination (duggati): this is the fruit of hearing the Dhamma.
My defilements (kilesa) have been burned away; all existences have been extirpated;
like an elephant that has burst its bonds, I dwell free of taints (āsava).
Welcome indeed was my coming into the presence of my Buddha;
the three true knowledges (vijjā) have been attained; the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
The four analytical knowledges (paṭisambhidā), and these eight liberations (vimokkha) as well,
and the six superknowledges (chaḷabhiññā) have been realized; the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
Thus indeed did the Venerable Elder Ekadhammasavaniya speak these verses.
The Apadāna of the Elder Ekadhammasavaniya is concluded.
The Eighth: The Apadāna of the Elder Sucintita (428)
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.