[9]
Formerly I was a forest-wanderer, always one who worked in the forest;
taking a pattha-measure of boiled rice (patthodana), I went off to my work.
There I saw the Awakened One (sambuddha), the Self-Awakened One (Sayambhū), the Unconquered,
coming out of the forest for alms; on seeing him, I gladdened my mind (citta).
Bound to the service of others, no merit (puñña) is found in me;
there is this pattha of boiled rice: I shall feed this sage (muni).
Taking the pattha of boiled rice, I gave it to the Self-Awakened One;
and while I gazed on, the Great Sage ate it.
Through that deed well done, and through my volition and aspirations (cetanā-paṇidhi),
on abandoning the human body I went to Tāvatiṃsa.
Thirty-two times, as lord of devas, I exercised rulership over the devas;
and thirty-three times I was a king, a wheel-turning monarch (cakkavatti).
Extensive kingship over regions I held, incalculable by counting;
I am happy and possessed of fame: this is the fruit of the pattha of boiled rice.
Wandering on from existence to existence (bhava), I gain immeasurable wealth;
I have no lack of possessions: this is the fruit of the pattha of boiled rice.
Riches arise for me like the current of a river;
I am unable to measure them: this is the fruit of the pattha of boiled rice.
"Chew this, eat this, lie upon this bed!" —
thereby I am happy: this is the fruit of the pattha of boiled rice.
It was ninety-one aeons ago from now that I gave that gift;
I know of no bad destination (duggati): this is the fruit of the pattha of boiled rice.
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 (sāsana) has been fulfilled.
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 fulfilled.
Thus indeed the Venerable Elder Patthodanadāyaka spoke these verses.
The Apadāna of the Elder Patthodanadāyaka is concluded.
The Apadāna of the Elder Mañcadāyaka, the Tenth (420)
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.