[4] In the city of Bandhumatī
I was a pork butcher;
having cooked the choice cut (ukkoṭaka),
I drenched the meat in honey.
Going to the assembly,
I took a single bowl;
having filled that bowl,
I gave it to the Saṅgha of bhikkhus.
To the bhikkhu who was the seniormost elder
I then presented it, [thinking:]
"By this bowlful
I shall obtain abundant happiness."
Having enjoyed the two attainments (sampatti),
urged on by the wholesome root,
when the final [existence] is under way
he will burn up the defilements (kilesa).
[Siam ed. footnotes — Ma. = Burmese ed., Yu. = European (PTS) ed.: 1 Yu.: "madhusappimhi ākiriṃ." 2 Ma., Yu.: "gahe sahaṃ." 3 Ma., Yu.: "yottha — niyyādesi mamaṃ tadā." 4 Ma., Yu.: "labhassu."]
Having gladdened my mind (citta) in that [gift],
I went to Tāvatiṃsa;
there, having eaten and drunk,
I received abundant happiness.
In a pavilion or at the foot of a tree,
[when] I recollected my former deed (kamma),
a downpour of food and drink
rained upon me at that very instant.
This is my very last;
my final existence (bhava) now runs its course;
here too, food and drink
rain down for me at all times.
Through that very gift of honey,
having wandered on through existences,
having fully understood all the taints (āsava),
I dwell free from the taints.
Ninety-one aeons from now
it was that I then gave that gift;
I know of no bad destination:
this is the fruit of the gift of honey.
My defilements have been burned up;
all existences have been uprooted;
like an elephant that has burst its bonds,
I dwell free from the taints.
Welcome indeed was my coming
into the presence of my Buddha;
the three true knowledges (vijjā) have been attained;
the Buddha's teaching (sāsana) has been fulfilled.
The four analytic insights (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 Madhumaṃsadāyaka, the Elder, speak these verses.
The Apadāna of the Elder Madhumaṃsadāyaka is concluded.
[Siam ed. footnote: 1 Yu.: "maṃsadānena."]
The Fifth: The Apadāna of the Elder Nāgapallavaka (415)
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.