Tha Ap 347Nalāgārika

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

342. {345.} Nalāgārika

Walt 3104 Close to the Himalayan range,

there’s a mountain named Hārita.

The Self-Become One, Nārada,

dwelt at the roots of a tree then. Verse 1

Walt 3105 Having fashioned a house of reeds,

I covered it with grass as thatch ,

and clearing a walkway I then

gave them to the Self-Become One. Verse 2

Walt 3106 In the fourteenth aeon ago

I delighted in the gods’ world,

and seventy-four times did I

exercise rule over the gods. Verse 3

Walt 3107 And seventy-seven times I

was then a wheel-turning monarch.

There was also much local rule,

innumerable by counting. Verse 4

Walt 3108 My dwelling-place was very tall,

rising up like Indra’s post.

One thousand-pillared, unsurpassed,

a mansion full of radiance. Verse 5

Walt 3109 Enjoying both accomplishments,

incited by my wholesome roots,

I went forth in the religion

of Gotama, the Blessed One. Verse 6

Walt 3110 Being one bent on exertion,

calmed, devoid of grounds for rebirth,

like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 7

Walt 3111 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 8

Thus indeed Venerable Nalāgārika Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Nalāgārika Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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