[16. Sālamālikā¹]

On CChandabhāgā River’s bank,
I was a kinnarī back then.
I saw the Stainless One, Buddha,
the Self-Become, Unconquered One. (1) [215]

Happy, with pleasure in [my] heart,
awe-struck,² with hands pressed together,
taking a sal³[-flower] garland,
I worshipped the Self-Become One. (2) [216]

Due to that karma done very well,
with intention and [firm] resolve,
discarding [my] human body,
I went to Tāvatiṃsa [then]. (3) [217]

I was fixed in the chief queen’s place
of thirty-six kings of the gods.
Whatever my mind wishes for,
comes into being as desired. (4) [218]

I was fixed in the chief queen’s place
of ten kings who were wheel-turners.
Being a good-minded woman,
I transmigrated through lifetimes. (5) [219]

My wholesomeness is apparent;
I went forth into homelessness.
Today I’m worthy of pūjā
in the Buddha’s⁴ dispensation. (6) [220]

Today, with [my] mind purified,
the evil-minded one is gone.
All [my] defilements are destroyed;
now there will be no more rebirth. (7) [221]

My defilements are [now] burnt up;
all [new] existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint. (8) [223]

Being in Best Buddha’s presence
was a very good thing for me.
The three knowledges are attained;
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (9) [224]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (10) [225]

In the ninety-four aeons since
I worshipped the Buddha back then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of a sal⁵-garland. (11) [222]⁶

My defilements are [now] burnt up;
all [new] existence is destroyed.
All [my] defilements are destroyed;
now there will be no more rebirth. (12)

Thus indeed Bhikkhunī Sālamālikā⁷ spoke these verses.

The legend of Sālamālikā⁸ Therī is finished.