Vv 29Splendid Mansion

– STORIES OF HEAVENLY MANSIONS

– A. STORIES OF FEMALE DEVAS

– THE PĀRICCHATTAKA CHAPTER

3.1

BJT 283"Your fame and your noble complexion shine brilliantly in all directions. Women and male devas, adorned with ornaments, dance and sing.

BJT 284O deva, honoring you, they bring you joy and accompany you. O fair-formed one, these golden heavenly mansions belong to you.

BJT 285You are their mistress; you have attained the fulfillment of all sensual pleasures; you have taken a good birth; you are great; you delight in the assembly of the devas. O deva, having been asked, may you explain of which karma this result is the fruit.

BJT 286By what means have you come to possess such a complexion? By what means has this been accomplished for you here? And by what means do pleasant enjoyments arise for you?

BJT 287O deva of great power, I ask you: what meritorious deed did you perform in the human world? By what means do you possess such power, blazing brilliantly like this, and your complexion illuminating all directions?"

BJT 288That deva, delighted at being questioned by the venerable Moggallāna, being asked the question, explained of which karma this result is the fruit:

BJT 289"I, when I was a human being in the realm of humans, in a former life in the human world, was a daughter-in-law in a household of bad conduct. I lived among those who had no faith and were miserly.

BJT 290Endowed with faith and virtue, always delighting in sharing, I offered a fried flour cake to one who was going on his alms round.

BJT 291Then I reported to my mother-in-law, saying: 'A recluse has come here. With a trusting heart, I myself offered the flour cake to him.'

BJT 292Thus my mother-in-law scolded me, saying: 'You are an undisciplined daughter-in-law. You did not think to ask my permission, saying: I wish to make an offering to the recluse.'

BJT 293Thereupon, in anger, my mother-in-law struck me with a pestle. She broke my shoulder blade, wounded me, and I was not able to live long.

BJT 294I, upon the dissolution of this body, died from that place and was liberated; I was reborn to dwell together with the devas of the Thirty-Three.

BJT 295By that means I have come to possess such a complexion. By that means has this been accomplished for me here. And by that means do pleasant enjoyments arise for me.

BJT 296Venerable monk of great power, I have presented to you what I did when I was a human being. By that means do I possess such power, blazing brilliantly like this, and my complexion illuminates all directions."

The Splendid Heavenly Mansion.