[47]
The earth had turned to glowing coals; the ground was strewn with hot embers;
the Blessed One Padumuttara was walking in meditation in the open air.
Taking a white parasol, I was setting out along the road;
seeing the Fully Enlightened One there, a thought arose in me:
"The ground is overspread with shimmering mirage; this earth is like glowing coals;
great winds are arising, fit to fling one's very body aloft.
It dispels cold and heat, a warding against wind and the sun's glare:
accept this parasol — I shall touch quenching (nibbuti)."
Sympathetic and compassionate, Padumuttara of great fame,
knowing my intention, the Victor (jina) then accepted it.
For thirty aeons (kappa), as lord of the devas, I exercised celestial rulership;
and five hundred times I became a wheel-turning monarch (cakkavatti).
And extensive regional kingship, incalculable by count;
I experience my own kamma, well wrought by me in the past.
This is my last birth (jāti); my final existence is now proceeding;
even today the white parasol is borne over me at all times.
In the hundred thousand aeons since I gave that parasol then,
I know of no bad destination (duggati): this is the fruit of the gift of a parasol.
My defilements (kilesa) have been burned away; all existences have been extirpated;
like an elephant that has burst its bonds, I dwell without 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 done.
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 done.
Thus indeed the Venerable Ekachattiya the Elder spoke these verses.
The Apadāna of Ekachattiya the Elder is concluded.
The Eighth: the Apadāna of Jātipupphiya the Elder (458)
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.