513. {516.} Ajjunapupphiya (THA-AP518)

On Candabhāgā River’s bank,
I was a kinnara back then.
I saw the Buddha, Stainless One,
the Self-Become, Unconquered One.

Happy, with pleasure in my heart,
awe-struck, with hands pressed together,
taking an arjuna flower,
I worshipped the Self-Become One.

Due to that karma done very well,
with intention and firm resolve,
leaving my kinnara body,
I went to Tāvatiṁsa then.

Thirty-four times the lord of gods,
I exercised divine rule there.
And ten times a wheel-turning king,
I exercised overlordship.

There was also much local rule,
innumerable by counting.
Like a seed sown in a good field
is mine in the Self-Become One.

Wholesome karma exists for me;
I went forth into homelessness.
Today I’m worthy of homage
in the Buddha’s dispensation.

My defilements are now burnt up;
all new existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint.

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!

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught!

Thus indeed Venerable Ajjunapupphiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Ajjunapupphiya Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters.

Whitman College, 2017

Legends of the Buddhist Saints (Apadāna) is released under the Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share Alike license.

This is the first-ever complete translation of Apadāna into a Western language.

For more information, visit apadanatranslation.org

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Ayya Vimala.