[360. {363.}1 Bhisamuḷāladāyaka2]
The Sambuddha was named3 Phussa,
the [Great] Master of Everything.4
The Seclusion-Lover,5 Wise One,6
came into my presence [back then]. (1) [3187]
Bringing pleasure to [my] heart in
him, the Victor, Great Compassion,
taking lotus roots and stems, I
gave [them] to the Best of Buddhas. (2) [3188]
In the ninety-two aeons since
I gave that lotus-root back then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of lotus-root gifts. (3) [3189]
The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (4) [3190]
Thus indeed Venerable Bhisamuḷāladāyaka Thera spoke these verses.
The legend of Bhisamuḷāladāyaka Thera is finished.
Apadāna numbers provided in {fancy brackets} correspond to the BJTS edition, which contains more individual poems than does the PTS edition dictating the main numbering of this translation.↩
“Lotus Root and Stem Donor.” Bhisa refers to the lotus “potato” (Sinh. ala) found under the mud; muḷāla refers to the lotus “stem” (Sinh. daṇḍu, dictionary gives däli). The former is starchy and crunchy; the latter is like a green vegetable. Both are delicious staples of village diets to this day. Cf. #65.↩
reading nāmāsi with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS nāmā ti↩
lit., “master of all things (dhamma)” (or “Master of All Teachings”)↩
viveka-kāma↩
suppañña↩