Tha Ap 501Naḷakuṭikadāyaka

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

496. {499.} Naḷakuṭikadāyaka

Walt 5341 In the Himalayan region,

there’s a mountain named Bhārika.

The Self-Become One, Nārada,

dwelt at the roots of a tree then. Verse 1

Walt 5342 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 5343 Due to that karma done very well,

with intention and firm resolve,

discarding my human body,

I went to Tāvatiṁsa then . Verse 3

Walt 5344 There my well-constructed mansion,

fashioned as a little reed hut,

measured sixty leagues in length, and

it measured thirty leagues in width. Verse 4

Walt 5345 I delighted in the gods’ world

throughout fourteen aeons back then ,

and later seventy-one times,

I exercised divine rule there . Verse 5

Walt 5346 And thirty-four times after that,

I was a king who turns the wheel.

There was also much local rule,

innumerable by counting. Verse 6

Walt 5347 Ascending the Teaching-palace,

in all ways a fine metaphor,

I would live there where I’m wishing,

in the Buddha’s dispensation. Verse 7

Walt 5348 In the thirty-one aeons since

I did that good karma back then,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

the fruit of a little reed hut. Verse 8

Walt 5349 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 9

Walt 5351 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! Verse 10

Walt 5352 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 11

Thus indeed Venerable Naḷakuṭikadāyaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Naḷakuṭikadāyaka Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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