Vv 23Soṇadinnā’s Mansion

– HEAVENLY MANSIONS

– A. THE FEMALE DEVAS

– THE CITTALATĀ CHAPTER

2.6

BJT 215"O goddess, you stand with a radiant complexion, causing all the directions to blaze with light, like the star osadhī.

BJT 216On account of what have you obtained such a complexion as this? On account of what has this come to fulfillment for you here? And on account of what do delightful pleasures arise for you?

BJT 217O goddess, on account of what does your unblemished, brilliant radiance shine forth so magnificently? On account of what do all the directions blaze with light through every part of your body?

BJT 218O goddess of great power, I ask you: 'When you were a human being, what meritorious deed did you perform? On account of what do you have the power to blaze with light in this way, and your complexion illumines all the directions?'"

BJT 219That goddess, joyful at being questioned by the venerable Moggallāna, being asked the question, explained of which karma this was the fruit:

BJT 220"I was known as 'Soṇadinnā,' a female lay disciple in the city of Nālandā, endowed with faith and virtue, always delighting in the act of sharing.

BJT 221I gave clothing, food, lodgings, and lamps with a purified mind to those who were upright in conduct.

BJT 222On the fourteenth day, the fifteenth day, the eighth day of each fortnight, and on the special days of the fortnight, there was the excellent observance of the eight precepts.

BJT 223I observed the uposatha days, always restrained in the precepts. I dwelt in a mansion, possessed of self-restraint and the practice of sharing.

BJT 224I refrained from the taking of life, and was restrained in regard to lying, stealing, misconduct, and I kept away from the drinking of intoxicants.

BJT 225I was joyful in the five training rules, one who understood the Noble Truths, a female lay disciple of the renowned Gotama of the Vision.

BJT 226On account of that, I have obtained such a complexion as this. On account of that has this come to fulfillment for me here. And on account of that do delightful pleasures arise for me.

BJT 227Venerable bhikkhu of great power, I declare to you the meritorious deed I performed when I was a human being. On account of that do I have the power to blaze with light in this way, and my complexion illumines all the directions."

The Mansion of Soṇadinnā.