[5. Puṇṇa-Mantāniputta]

I was a learned mantra-knower
who had mastered the three Vedas.
Heading up [my group of] students
I approached [him], the Best of Men. (1) [438]

Padumuttara, World-Knower,
Sacrificial Recipient,
the Great Sage then proclaimed to me1
karma, with the explanation. (2) [439]

After having heard the Teaching,
[and] having worshipped the Teacher
I held my hands up pressed together
[then] departed facing the south. (3) [440]

Having heard the explanation
I then preached with more expansion.
All the students were delighted
to have listened to my words [then]. (4) [441]

Quitting my own philosophy
[my] heart was pleased in the Buddha.
Then I preached with explanation
and with the further expansion. (5) [442]

A knower of Abhidhamma
clear about the Kathāvatthu,
providing instruction to all,
I’m living without defilements. (6) [443]

Five hundred aeons after that
I was lord of four continents,
the clever Suppakāsaka2
possessor of the seven gems. (7) [444]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (8) [445]

Thus indeed Venerable Puṇṇa Mantāṇiputta Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Puṇṇa Mantāṇiputta Thera is finished.


  1. BJTS Sinhala gloss understands “mama” here as the genitive: my (Sinh: māgē) karma. I take it instead as a dative, “to me”

  2. ”Good-Explanation-er,” taking this as a proper name with BJTS.