Vv 48Sugar Cane Mansion

– MANSION STORY

– A. THE FEMALE DEVAS

– THE MAÑJEṬṬHAKA CHAPTER

4.10

BJT 809"Having illuminated the earth together with the devas, you shine resplendently, surpassing all, like the moon and the sun, with glory, with beauty, with renown, and with power, as the Great Brahmā shines resplendently, surpassing the devas and the god Inda in the Thirty-Three.

BJT 810O lady bearing a garland of blue lotuses, with a wreath upon your head, with a complexion like gold, adorned, attired in the finest cloth, I ask you: O beautiful celestial being, who are you who pays homage to me?

BJT 811What kamma did you yourself perform in the past, when you were a human being in a former life—was it a gift well given, or the restraint of virtue? O lady of renown, by what merit have you come to be reborn in this place of happiness? O celestial being, being asked, may you recount: this result belongs to what kamma?"

BJT 812"Venerable sir, just recently, in this very village, you came to our home for alms. Therefore, with a mind of pure faith, I offered you a piece of sugar cane with incomparable joy.

BJT 813And after that, my mother-in-law questioned me, saying: 'Daughter-in-law, where did you throw away the piece of sugar cane?' 'I did not throw it away; moreover, I did not eat it myself either—I personally offered it to the peaceful bhikkhu.'

BJT 814'Does this authority belong to you or to me?' My mother-in-law scolded me thus, then took up a clod of earth and struck me a blow. Having died from that place, I passed away and became a celestial being.

BJT 815That very wholesome kamma was created by me. And I enjoy happiness, the fruit and result of my own kamma. I delight together with the devas; I rejoice in the five kinds of sensual pleasures.

BJT 816That very wholesome kamma was created by me. And I enjoy happiness, the fruit and result of my own kamma. Protected by the Lord of the Devas, guarded by the devas of the Thirty-Three, I am provided with the five kinds of sensual pleasures.

BJT 817Such a meritorious result is not small—my offering of sugar cane has come to great fruition. I delight together with the devas; I rejoice in the five kinds of sensual pleasures.

BJT 818Such a meritorious result is not small—my offering of sugar cane has great glory. Protected by the Lord of the Devas, guarded by the devas of the Thirty-Three, I am like the Thousand-Eyed One in the Nandana garden.

BJT 819And venerable sir, having come close to you, who are compassionate and possessed of understanding, I paid homage and inquired after your health. Therefore, with a mind of pure faith, I offered you a piece of sugar cane with incomparable joy."

The Sugar Cane Mansion.