[8. Sattuppalamālikāya[1]]
In Aruṇavatī City,
lived a king[2] named Aruṇavā.
I was [then] the wife of that king,
sent out [by him] on a journey.[3] (1) [71]
Having taken seven flowers,
divinely perfumed blue lotus,
lying down in [that] fine palace,
I reflected in this way then: (2) [72]
“What use are these flowers to me,[4]
planted on [the top of] my head?
They’ll be better for me offered
to the Best Buddha’s [great] knowledge. (3) [73]
They’re honoring the Sambuddha;
sitting near the [palace] doorway,
when the Sambuddha arrives here,
I [too] will worship the Great Sage.” (4) [74]
Splendid like an arjuna [tree],[5]
like a lion, the king of beasts,
along with the monks’ Assembly,
the Victor [then] came on the road. (5) [75]
After seeing the Buddha’s rays,
happy, with a mind that was moved,
having opened up the door, I
[then] worshipped the Best of Buddhas. (6) [76]
I scattered up in the sky [there]
those seven blue lotus flowers.
[Then] covering the Buddha’s head,
they were held up [there in the sky]. (7) [77]
Thrilled at heart, with a happy mind,
awe-struck,[6] with hands pressed together,
bringing pleasure to [my] heart there,
I went to Tāvatiṃsa [then]. (8) [78]
Blue lotus[7][-flower] canopies
are carried on top of my head.
I [then] exude divine perfumes:
the fruit of seven lotuses. (9) [79]
Whenever I am sent [somewhere]
with my assembly of kinsfolk,
blue lotuses are carried then
over my entire[8] retinue. (10) [80]
I was fixed in the chief queen’s place
of seventy kings of the gods.
Everywhere a female ruler,
I transmigrated birth to birth. (11) [81]
I was fixed in the chief queen’s place
of sixty-three wheel-turning kings.
They all conform to my [wishes];
I’m one whose words are listened to.[9] (12) [82]
My color and exuded scent
are those of blue lotus flowers;
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā. (13) [83]
Skillful in the superpowers,
fond of wisdom’s parts as focus,[10]
special knowledges perfected:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā. (14) [84]
Skilled in retaining mindfulness,[11]
pastured in calm-meditation,
undertaking fit exertion:[12]
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā. (15) [85]
My effort bearing the burden
brought me release from attachments;[13]
defilements are all destroyed,
now there will be no more rebirth. (16) [86]
In the thirty-one aeons since
I worshipped [him with that] flower,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth;
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā. (17) [87]
My defilements are [now] burnt up;
all [new] existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint. (18) [88]
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! (19) [89]
The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (20) [90]
Thus indeed Bhikkhunī Sattuppalamālikāya spoke these verses.
The legend of Sattuppalamālikāya Therī[14] is finished.
“Seven Blue Lotus Flower-er.” ↩︎
lit., “a kṣatriyan” ↩︎
reading cchārikaṃ cchārayām’ ahaṃ (BJTS) for na mālaŋ pādayām’ ahaŋ (“I didn’t ? a garland,” PTS). ↩︎
lit., “What then for me with these flowers…?” ↩︎
kakudha = kumbuk, cf. note to Therāpadāna v. [1800]. ↩︎
vedajāto ↩︎
cf. above, n. to Therī-apadāna v. [51], on this obscure term. ↩︎
lit., “as far as my”. Pronounce as two syllables when chanting, to keep the meter. ↩︎
lit., “one whose words are to be taken,” reading ādeyyavacchanā (BJTS, PTS alt) for adeyya° (PTS). ↩︎
see note to Therāpadāna v. [309]. ↩︎
See note to Therāpadāna v. [309]. ↩︎
see note to Therāpadāna v. [310]. ↩︎
see Therāpadāna v. [649] for these same two feet. ↩︎
This is the BJTS reading; PTS reads Bhikkhunī Sattuppalamālikāya ↩︎