[158. Nāgapupphiya1]
There was a man named Suvacchcha2
a brahmin master of mantras,
placed in front by his own students,
residing upon a mountain. (1) [2031]
The Victor, Padumuttara,
Sacrificial Recipient,
with a wish for my upliftment
did come into my presence [then]. (2) [2032]
He walked back and forth in the sky,
like he was smoking and burning,3
[and] after he had made me smile,4
he departed facing the east. (3) [2033]
And having seen that miracle,
marvel making hair stand on end,
taking an ironwood flower,
I scattered [it] in his pathway.5 (4) [2034]
In the hundred thousand aeons
since I scattered that flower [then],
due to the pleasure in [my] heart,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth. (5) [2035]
In the thirty-first aeon [hence]
I was the king, Mahāratha,6
a wheel-turner with great power,
possessor of the seven gems. (6) [2036]
The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (7) [2037]
Thus indeed Venerable Nāgapupphiya Thera spoke these verses.
The legend of Nāgapupphiya Thera is finished.
“Ironwood-Flower-er”↩
“Good Calf” or “Very Young One”↩
reading dhūpeti jalate (BJTS) for dhūpo ‘tijalate (“as though incense were flaming up,” PTS).↩
reading hāsaṃ mama viditvāna (lit., “making a smile [or laughter] known to me”) with BJTS for PTS ve hāsaŋ mama disvāna (“surely having seen my smile [or laughter]” PTS).↩
lit., “on the road he took”.↩
“Big Chariot”↩