Vv 61Second Elephant Mansion

– STORIES OF HEAVENLY MANSIONS

– B. HEAVENLY MANSIONS OF MALES

– THE GREAT CHARIOT CHAPTER

5.11

BJT 969"Having mounted a great noble elephant, entirely white in body, foremost among elephants, leading a company of women roaming from forest to forest, causing all the directions to blaze with light, like the star osadhī—

BJT 970By what have you obtained such a complexion as this? By what has (this state of affairs) been accomplished for you here? And (by what) do pleasing enjoyments arise for you?

BJT 971O divine being of great might, I ask you: 'When you were a human being, what meritorious deed did you perform? By what do you possess such might, blazing with radiance like this, and your complexion illuminating all the directions?'"

BJT 972That divine being rejoiced when questioned by the venerable Vaṅgīsa himself. Being asked the question, he explained of which karma this result was the fruit:

BJT 973"I, when I was a human being in the world of humans, was a male lay disciple of the One with Vision. I abstained from the taking of life, and I kept away from what had not been given (from theft) in the world.

BJT 974There was no drinking of intoxicants, and I did not speak false words; I took delight only in my own wife; with a serene and faithful mind, I earnestly offered abundant gifts of food and drink.

BJT 975By that have I obtained such a complexion as this. By that has (this state of affairs) been accomplished for me here. And (by that) do pleasing enjoyments arise for me.

BJT 976Venerable bhikkhu of great might, I declare to you the meritorious deed I performed when I was a human being. By that do I possess such might, blazing with radiance like this, and my complexion illuminates all the directions."

The Second Elephant Mansion.