[32. Sāgata]

Back then I was a brahmin man
known by the name of Sobhita.
Being honored by my students,
I went out to the ashram [then]. (1) [1019]

Honored by the monks’ Assembly,
[right] at that time the Blessed One,
setting out from the ashram’s door,
stood [there], the Ultimate Person. (2) [1020]

I [then] saw him, the Sambuddha,
Tame One with a Tamed Retinue.
Bringing pleasure to [my] own heart
I praised the World-Leader kindly: (3) [1021]

“Whatever trees that there might be
they all grow up in the [firm] earth.
So too, smart beings [all] grow up
in the Victor’s dispensation. (4) [1022]

The Caravan-Leader, O Wise One,
you do remove1 many people
from the wrong road, lifting them up
by declaring the road [to them]. (5) [1023]

Tame One surrounded by the tamed,
Meditator, by trance-lovers,
by those bent on exertion [and]
by peaceful ones, by neutral ones, (6) [1024]

adorned by2 [all] your followers
with their virtues, you are splendid.
Your light spreads over3 [everything]
like the sun [when it] is rising.”4 (7) [1025]

Seeing the pleasure in my heart
the Great Sage Padumuttara,
standing in the monks’ Assembly,
the Teacher spoke these verses [then]: (8) [1026]

“I’ll relate details of this brahmin
who has caused joy to be produced.
For a hundred thousand aeons
he’ll delight in the world of gods. (9) [1027]

Falling from Tusitā heaven
incited by [his] wholesome roots
he will renounce in the Blessed
One, Gotama’s dispensation. (10) [1028]

Due to that karma done very well5
he will attain arahantship.
He’ll be the Teacher’s follower
known by the name of Sāgata. (11) [1029]

After renouncing he’ll avoid
bad6 karma done with the body [then].
Avoiding bad karma with words
he’ll purify his livelihood.” (12) [1030]

I am [now] living in that way,
skilled in the elements of power.
Knowing well all the defilements,
without defilements I [now] live. (13) [1031]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (14) [1032]

This indeed Venerable Sāgata Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Sāgata Thera is finished.

  1. reading ‘panesi for panesi, and avoiding the alternate reading (and BJTS) mahesi (mahesī).↩

  2. reading parisāhi (BJTS) for parisato (PTS)↩

  3. there are problems with this verse; many alternate readings in the different manuscripts and editions. I follow BJTS Sinhala gloss in taking niddhāvate as “paetireyi,” “spreads out over.”↩

  4. reading suriyodāyate (BJTS) for suriyo ‘bbhaghane (“like the sun in a mass of clouds,” PTS).↩

  5. reading (with BJTS, PTS alternatives) tena kammena sukatena for PTS vimbakapasuto hutvā↩

  6. or “evil:” pāpa°↩