[223. Dverataniya1]

I was a deer-hunter back then,
within a grove in the forest.
I saw the Buddha, Stainless One,
Sacrificial Recipient. (1) [2384]

I [then] gave a piece of meat to
Vipassi [Buddha], the Great Sage.
I exercised overlordship
in the world including its gods. (2) [2385]

Because of giving meat [back then,]
gems2 came into being for me.
I had two jewels3 in [this] world
for attainment of worldly things. (3) [2386]

I am enjoying everything
as the profit of a meat-gift.
I have a body which is soft
[and] wisdom, a sharp intellect.4 (4) [2387]

In the ninety-one aeons since
I gave [him] that meat at that time,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that is the fruit of [giving] meat. (5) [2388]

[And] in the fourth aeon ago
there was one lord of the people.
He was named Mahārohita,5
a wheel-turning king with great strength. (6) [2389]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (7) [2390]

Thus indeed Venerable Dverataniya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Dverataniya Thera is finished.

  1. “Two-Gem-er.” BJTS reads Dviratananiya, which conveys the same meaning. The name is unusual in that it alludes to the reward rather than the original/“seed” karma.↩

  2. lit., “a gem”↩

  3. these are presumably meant to be taken as magical, wish-fulfilling gems↩

  4. lit., “skillful knowing” or “intelligent knowing”↩

  5. “Much Deer.” Rohita (“red”) is a type of deer.↩