[204. Taraṇiya1]

Atthadassi, the Blessed One,
the Biped Lord, the Bull of Men,
honored by his followers [then]
approached the bank of the Ganges. (1) [2285]

The Ganges was quite hard to cross
with even banks full to the brim.2
I took across the group of monks3
and the Buddha, Supreme Biped. (2) [2286]

In the eighteen-hundredth aeon
since I did that [good] karma then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that is the fruit of ferrying. (3) [2287]

In the thirteen-hundredth aeon
there were five [named] Sabhogava,4
wheel-turning monarchs with great strength,
possessors of the seven gems. (4) [2288]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (5) [2289]

Thus indeed Venerable Taraṇiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Taraṇiya Thera is finished.

  1. “Crosser” or “Ferry-er” or “Boatman” or “Shipper” or “Ferryman”. Cf. #270, #280, #485 {488}↩

  2. lit., “crow-drinkable” (kākapeyya), i.e., so full that a crow could drink from it.↩

  3. bhikkhusaṅgha↩

  4. “Endowed with Enjoyment (or wealth),” “Wealthy”↩