[265. Biḷālidāyaka1]
In the Himalayan region,
there’s a mountain named Romasa.2
At the foot of that mountain lived
a monk with senses [well-]controlled. (1) [2557]
Having gathered tuberous roots,
I donated [them] to [that] monk.
The Great Hero rejoiced [in that],
the Self-Become, Unconquered One: (2) [2558]
“Tuberous roots you’ve given me
with a mind that is very clear.
Transmigrating in existence
the fruit will be reborn for you.” (3) [2559]
In the ninety-four aeons since
I gave [him] those tuberous roots,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of tuberous roots. (4) [2560]
The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (5) [2561]
Thus indeed Venerable Biḷālidāyaka Thera spoke these verses.
The legend of Biḷālidāyaka Thera is finished.
“Tuberous-Root-Donor”. Cty glosses biḷāli as āḷavaṃ, “potato”↩
I am unclear about the meaning of this name. Cf. roma, body hair, romaka, feathered?, or romantheti, chews the cud. The mountain is named elsewhere (#517) and the name is used also of a previous Paccchchekabuddha (#279, #347, #433 {436}, below), and a rebirth-precursor of other arahants, too (#226, above; #299, below; in DPPN the name is only witnessed in Apadāna (plus one instance in ThagA i.399)↩