[60]
"Plunging deep into the Himavant, I then taught the mantras;
fifty-four thousand pupils attended upon me.
[Variant readings: ¹ Ma. (Burmese ed.): ravanti; Yu. (European ed.): ravante. ² Yu.: anugajjā. ³ Ma., Yu.: sabbābhā.]
All of them deeply learned, masters of the Vedas (vedagū), gone to perfection in the six branches [of Vedic lore];
propped up by their own knowledge, they dwelt in the Himavant.
Passing away from the Tusita host, a deva-son (devaputta) of great fame
arose in his mother's womb, clearly comprehending (sampajāna) and mindful (paṭissata).
When the Fully Awakened One was taking birth, the ten-thousandfold [world-system] quaked;
the blind received their sight as the Leader was being born.
This whole earth shook in six ways [1];
hearing the resounding roar, the great multitude was amazed [2].
All the people, gathering together, came into my presence:
'This earth has quaked — what result (vipāka) will there be?'
Then I declared [3] to them: 'Do not fear; there is no danger for you.
Be at ease, every one of you: this arising betokens happiness [4].
Through contact with eight causes this earth quakes;
likewise signs (nimitta) are seen, and a vast and mighty radiance:
without doubt the supreme Buddha, the One with Vision, will arise.'
Having brought the populace to understanding, I discoursed on the five precepts.
Having heard the five precepts, and that the arising of a Buddha is hard to come by,
a thrill of elation arose in them; glad at heart, they were pleased and delighted.
It was ninety-two aeons (kappa) ago from now that I interpreted that sign;
I know of no bad destination (duggati): this is the fruit of the declaration.
[Variant readings: ¹ Ma.: sabbākāraṃ pakampittha; Yu.: chabbikāraṃ … . ² Ma., Yu.: ubbijjiṃsu. ³ Ma.: avacāsiṃ tadā tesaṃ; Yu.: avacāsi … . ⁴ Ma.: suvatthiko.]
My defilements (kilesa) have been burnt away; all existences (bhava) 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 (sāsana) has been done.
The four analytic insights (paṭisambhidā), and also these eight liberations (vimokkha),
and the six superknowledges (chaḷabhiññā) have been realized; the Buddha's teaching has been done."
Thus indeed the Venerable Nimittabyākaraṇiya Thera spoke these verses.
The Apadāna of Nimittabyākaraṇiya Thera is concluded.
Summary (Uddāna)
The Elder Sālakusumiya; the [pyre-]worshipper and the [pyre-]quencher too;
the bridge-giver and the palm-fan [offerer]; Avaṭa; the giver of the labuja fruit;
Milakkhu and Paṭibhāṇī; and the Veyyākaraṇiya, a twice-born [brahmin] —
and seventy-two verses, reckoned by the discerning.
The Sālapupphi Chapter, the Forty-seventh.
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The Naḷamāli Chapter, the Forty-eighth
First: The Apadāna of Naḷamāliya Thera (471)
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.