31: The Story concerning Pukkusa Mallaputta

[31: Pukkusa-Mallaputtakathà] ⁰¹
[The Story concerning Pukkusa Mallaputta]

Tena kho pana samayena Pukkuso Mallaputto âëàrassa Kàlàmassa sàvako,
Now at that time Pukkasa Mallaputta, a disciple of âëàra Kàlàma,

Kusinàràya Pàvaü addhànamaggapañipanno hoti.
was travelling along the highway from Pàvà to Kusinàrà.

Addasà kho Pukkuso Mallaputto Bhagavantaü aÿÿatarasmiü rukkhamåle nisinnaü.
Pukkasa Mallaputta saw the Gracious One sitting at the root of a certain tree.

Disvà yena Bhagavà tenupasaïkami,
And having seen (him) he approached the Gracious One,

upasaïkamitvà Bhagavantaü abhivàdetvà, ekam-antaü nisãdi.
and after approaching and worshipping the Gracious One, he sat down on one side.

Ekam-antaü nisinno kho Pukkuso Mallaputto Bhagavantaü etad-avoca:
While sitting on one side Pukkasa Mallaputta said this to the Gracious One:

ßAcchariyaü Bhante abbhutaü Bhante,
ßIt is wonderful, reverend Sir, it is marvellous, reverend Sir,

santena vata Bhante pabbajità vihàrena viharanti.
that those who have gone forth, reverend Sir, live such a peaceful living.

Bhåtapubbaü Bhante âëàro Kàlàmo addhànamaggapañipanno maggà okkamma,
Formerly, reverend Sir, âëàra Kàlàma ⁰² descended from the highway he was travelling along,

avidåre aÿÿatarasmiü rukkhamåle divàvihàraü nisãdi.
and was dwelling for the day sat not far away at the root of a certain tree.

Atha kho Bhante paÿcamattàni sakañasatàni
Then, reverend Sir, about five hundred waggons

âëàraü Kàlàmaü nissàya nissàya atikkamiüsu.
passed by very close to âëàra Kàlàma.

tassa sakañasatthassa piññhito piññhito àgacchanto
who was traveling along behind those waggons

upasaïkamitvà âëàraü Kàlàmaü etad-avoca:
and after approaching he said this to âëàra Kàlàma:

`Api Bhante paÿcamattàni sakañasatàni atikkantàni addasà?' ti
`Did you not see, reverend Sir, about five hundred waggons pass by?'

`Kim-pana Bhante saddaü assosã?' ti
`But, reverend Sir, did you not hear the sound?'

`Na kho ahaü àvuso saddaü assosin'-ti
`I did not hear the sound, friend.'

`Kim-pana Bhante saÿÿã ahosã?' ti
`But, reverend Sir, were you conscious?'

`So tvaü Bhante saÿÿã samàno jàgaro,
`So you, reverend Sir, though conscious and awake,

paÿcamattàni sakañasatàni nissàya nissàya atikkantàni
when about five hundred waggons passed by very close

Apissu te Bhante saïghàñi rajena okiõõà!' ti
Why, reverend Sir, even your double-robe is covered with dust!'

`Acchariyaü vata bho abbhutaü vata bho,
`It is wonderful, dear Sir, it is marvellous, dear Sir,

santena vata bho pabbajità vihàrena viharanti.
that those who have gone forth, dear Sir, live such a peaceful living.

Yatra hi nàma saÿÿã samàno jàgaro,
Because though conscious and awake,

paÿcamattàni sakañasatàni nissàya nissàya atikkantàni
when about five hundred waggons passed by very close

neva dakkhiti na pana saddaü sossatã' ti
he did not see (them) or hear a sound!' ⁰³

âëàre Kàlàme uëàraü pasàdaü pavedetvà, pakkàmã.û ti
And having gained great confidence in âëàra Kàlàma, he left.û

katamaü nu kho dukkarataraü và durabhisambhavataraü và:
which is the more difficult to do or the more difficult to come by:

paÿcamattàni sakañasatàni nissàya nissàya atikkantàni
when about five hundred waggons passed by very close

neva passeyya na pana saddaü suõeyya,
should neither see (them) nor hear a sound,

yo và saÿÿã samàno jàgaro Deve vassante Deve gaëagaëàyante
or that someone, though conscious and awake, when the Divinities rain down, when the Divinities throw it down,

vijjutàsu niccharantãsu asaniyà phalantiyà,
and the lightning flashes, and the thunder crashes forth,

neva passeyya na pana saddaü suõeyyà?û ti
should neither see (it) nor hear a sound?û

ßKiü hi Bhante karissanti paÿca và sakañasatàni,
ßWhy, reverend Sir, what to make of five-hundred waggons,

cha và sakañasatàni, satta và sakañasatàni, aññha và sakañasatàni,
six-hundred waggons, seven-hundred waggons, eight-hundred waggons,

nava và sakañasatàni, sakañasahassaü và, sakañasatasahassaü và?
nine-hundred waggons, one thousand waggons, or one-hundred thousand waggons?

Atha kho etad-eva dukkarataraÿ-ceva durabhisambhavataraÿ-ca:
This is the more difficult to do or the more difficult to come by:

yo saÿÿã samàno jàgaro deve vassante deve gaëagaëàyante
that someone, though conscious and awake, when the Divinities rain down, when the Divinities throw it down,

vijjutàsu niccharantãsu asaniyà phalantiyà,
and the lightning flashes, and the thunder crashes forth,

neva passeyya na pana saddaü suõeyyà.û ti
should neither see (it) nor hear a sound.û

ßEkam-idàhaü Pukkusa samayaü âtumàyaü viharàmi Bhåsàgàre.
ßOne day, Pukkusa, I was living near âtumà at the Decorated House.

Tena kho pana samayena Deve vassante Deve gaëagaëàyante
Now at that time the Divinities rained down, the Divinities threw it down,

vijjutàsu niccharantãsu asaniyà phalantiyà,
and the lightning flashed, and the thunder crashed forth,

avidåre Bhåsàgàrassa dve kassakà bhàtaro hatà cattàro ca balivaddà.
and not far away from the Decorated House two brothers who were farmers died, along with four oxen.

Atha kho Pukkusa âtumàya mahàjanakàyo nikkhamitvà,
Then, Pukkusa, a great crowd of people having departed from âtumà,

yena te dve kassakà bhàtaro hatà cattàro ca balivaddà tenupasaïkami.
went to the place where the brothers who were farmers and the four oxen had died.

Tena kho panàhaü Pukkusa samayena Bhåsàgàrà nikkhamitvà,
Then, Pukkusa, at that time, after leaving the Decorated House,

Bhåsàgàradvàre abbhokàse caïkamàmi.
I was walking in the open air near the gate to the Decorated House.

Atha kho Pukkusa aÿÿataro puriso tamhà mahàjanakàyà yenàhaü tenupasaïkami,
Then, Pukkusa, a certain man from that crowd approached me,

upasaïkamitvà maü abhivàdetvà ekam-antaü aññhàsi.
and after approaching and worshipping me, he stood on one side.

Ekam-antaü ñhitaü kho ahaü Pukkusa taü purisaü etad-avocaü:
While standing there, Pukkusa, I said to that man:

`Kin-nu kho so àvuso mahàjanakàyo sannipatito?' ti
`Why, friend, has that great crowd of people assembled?'

`Idàni Bhante Deve vassante Deve gaëagaëàyante,
`Just now, reverend Sir, the Divinities rained down, the Divinities threw it down,

vijjutàsu niccharantãsu, asaniyà phalantiyà,
and the lightning flashed, and the thunder crashed forth,

dve kassakà bhàtaro hatà cattàro ca balivaddà,
and two brothers who were farmers died, along with four oxen,

ettha so mahàjanakàyo sannipatito.
and that great crowd of people assembled here.

`Kim-pana Bhante saddaü assosã?' ti
`But, reverend Sir, did you hear the sound?'

`Na kho ahaü àvuso saddaü assosin.'-ti
`I did not hear the sound, friend.'

`Kim-pana Bhante saÿÿã ahosã?' ti
`But, reverend Sir, were you conscious?'

`So tvaü Bhante saÿÿã samàno jàgaro Deve vassante Deve gaëagaëàyante
`So, reverend Sir, though conscious and awake when the Divinities rained down, when the Divinities threw it down,

vijjutàsu niccharantãsu, asaniyà phalantiyà,
and the lightning flashed, and the thunder crashed forth,

neva addasa na pana saddaü assosã!' ti
you neither saw (it), nor heard a sound!'

Atha kho Pukkusa tassa purisassa etad-ahosi:
Then, Pukkusa, this occurred to that man:

`Acchariyaü vata bho abbhutaü vata bho,
`It is wonderful, dear Sir, it is marvellous, dear Sir,

santena vata bho pabbajità vihàrena viharanti.
that those who have gone forth, dear Sir, live such a peaceful living.

Yatra hi nàma saÿÿã samàno jàgaro Deve vassante Deve gaëagaëàyante
Because though conscious and awake when the Divinities rained down, when the Divinities threw it down,

vijjutàsu niccharantãsu asaniyà phalantiyà,
and the lightning flashed, and the thunder crashed forth,

neva dakkhiti na pana saddaü sossatã' ti
he did not see (it) or hear a sound!'

Mayi uëàraü pasàdaü pavedetvà,
And after gaining great confidence in me,

maü abhivàdetvà, padakkhiõaü katvà, pakkàmã.û ti
worshipping and circumamblating me, he left.û

Evaü vutte Pukkuso Mallaputto Bhagavantaü etad-avoca:
After this was said, Pukkusa Mallaputta said this to the Gracious One:

ßEsàhaü Bhante yo me âëàre Kàlàme pasàdo,
ßThat faith, reverend Sir, I have in âëàra Kàlàma,

taü mahàvàte và opuõàmi, sãghasotàya và nadiyà pavàhemi:
I clear away as with a great wind, I wash (it) away as with a fast-flowing river:

Abhikkantaü Bhante! Abhikkantaü Bhante!
Excellent, reverend Sir! Excellent, reverend Sir!

Seyyathà pi Bhante nikkujjitaü và ukkujjeyya,
Just as, reverend Sir, one might set upright what has been overturned,

pañicchannaü và vivareyya, måëhassa và maggaü àcikkheyya,
or open up what has been closed, or show a path to one who is lost,

andhakàre và telapajjotaü dhàreyya cakkhumanto råpàni dakkhinti,
or bear an oil lamp in the darkness so that one who has eyes can see forms,

evam-evaü Bhagavatà anekapariyàyena Dhammo pakàsito.
just so has the Teaching been made clear by the Gracious One in more than one way.

Esàhaü Bhante Bhagavantaü saraõaü gacchàmi,
I go to the Gracious One, reverend Sir, for refuge,

Dhammaÿ-ca Bhikkhusaïghaÿ-ca.
and to the Teaching, and to the Community of monks.

Upàsakaü maü Bhagavà dhàretu
Please bear it in mind, Gracious One, that I am a lay disciple

ajjatagge pàõupetaü saraõaü gatan.û-ti
who has gone for refuge from today forward for as long as I am furnished with life.û

Atha kho Pukkuso Mallaputto aÿÿataraü purisaü àmantesi:
Then Pukkusa Mallaputta addressed a certain man, (saying):

ßIïgha me tvaü bhaõe siïgãvaõõaü yugamaññhaü dhàraõãyaü àharà.û ti
ßCome, my man, bring me a pair of polished gold-coloured (robes), ready to wear.û

ßEvaü Bhante,û ti kho so puriso Pukkusassa Mallaputtassa pañissutvà,
ßVery well, reverend Sir,û said that man, and after replying to Pukkusa Mallaputta,

taü siïgãvaõõaü yugamaññhaü dhàraõãyaü àhari.
he brought a pair of polished gold-coloured (robes), ready to wear.

taü siïgãvaõõaü yugamaññhaü dhàraõãyaü Bhagavato upanàmesi:
offered that pair of polished gold-coloured (robes), ready to wear, to the Gracious One, (saying):

ßIdaü Bhante siïgãvaõõaü yugamaññhaü dhàraõãyaü
* ßPlease accept, reverend Sir, this pair of polished gold-coloured (robes), ready to wear

taü me Bhagavà pañiggaõhàtu anukampaü upàdàyà.û ti
out of compassion for me, Gracious One.û

ßTena hi Pukkusa ekena maü acchàdehi ekena ânandan.û-ti
ßThen, Pukkusa, clothe me with one, and ânanda with the other.û ⁰⁵

ßEvaü Bhante,û ti kho Pukkuso Mallaputto Bhagavato pañissutvà,
ßVery well, reverend Sir,û said Pukkusa Mallaputta, and after replying to the Gracious One

ekena Bhagavantaü acchàdesi ekena àyasmantaü ânandaü.
he clothed the Gracious One with one, and ânanda with the other.

Atha kho Bhagavà Pukkusaü Mallaputtaü Dhammiyà kathàya sandassesi
* Then the Gracious One instructed Pukkusa Mallaputta

samàdapesi samuttejesi sampahaüsesi.
roused, enthused, and cheered (him) with a talk about the Teaching.

Bhagavatà Dhammiyà kathàya sandassito samàdapito samuttejito sampahaüsito
having been instructed, roused, enthused, and cheered by the Gracious One with a talk about the Teaching,

uññhàyàsanà Bhagavantaü abhivàdetvà padakkhiõaü katvà, pakkàmi.
after rising from his seat, worshipping and circumambulating the Gracious One, departed.

Atha kho àyasmà ânando acirapakkante Pukkuse Mallaputte,
Then, venerable ânanda, not long after Pukkusa Mallaputta had departed,

taü siïgãvaõõaü yugamaññhaü dhàraõãyaü Bhagavato kàyaü upanàmesi,
offered that pair of polished gold-coloured (robes), ready to wear, to the Gracious One,

taü Bhagavato kàyaü upanàmitaü vãtaccikaü viya khàyati.
and when placed on the Gracious One's body they appeared to have lost their gleam.

Atha kho àyasmà ânando Bhagavantaü etad-avoca:
Then venerable ânanda said this to the Gracious One:

ßAcchariyaü Bhante abbhutaü Bhante
ßIt is wonderful, reverend Sir, it is marvellous, reverend Sir,

yàva parisuddho Bhante Tathàgatassa chavivaõõo pariyodàto!
how pure and clean is the Realised One's skin-colour, reverend Sir!

Idaü Bhante siïgãvaõõaü yugamaññhaü dhàraõãyaü
This pair of polished gold-coloured (robes), ready to wear, reverend Sir,

Bhagavato kàyaü upanàmitaü vãtaccikaü viya khàyatã!û ti
when placed on the Gracious One's body have lost their gleam!û

ßEvam-etaü ânanda dvãsu kho ânanda kàlesu
ßJust so, ânanda, on two occasions, ânanda,

ativiya Tathàgatassa kàyo parisuddho hoti chavivaõõo pariyodàto.
the Realised One's skin-colour becomes exceedingly pure and clean.

Yaÿ-ca ânanda rattiü Tathàgato anuttaraü Sammàsambodhiü abhisambujjhati,
That night, ânanda, the Realised One perfectly awakens to the unsurpassed and Perfect Awakening,

yaÿ-ca Tathàgato rattiü anupàdisesàya nibbànadhàtuyà parinibbàyati.
and that night the Realised One is Finally Emancipated in the Emancipation-element which has no basis for attachment remaining.

ativiya Tathàgatassa kàyo parisuddho hoti chavivaõõo pariyodàto.
the Realised One's skin-colour is exceedingly pure and clean.

Ajja kho pan' ânanda rattiyà pacchime yàme,
Today, ânanda, during the last watch of the night,

Kusinàràyaü Upavattane Mallànaü Sàlavane,
near to Kusinàrà, in the Mallas' Sal Wood at Upavattana,

antarena yamakasàlànaü Tathàgatassa Parinibbànaü bhavissati.
between a pair of Sal trees will be the Realised One's Final Emancipation.

ßâyàm' ânanda yena Kakutthà nadã tenupasaïkamissàmà.û ti
ßCome ânanda let us approach River Kakutthà.û

ßEvaü Bhante,û ti kho àyasmà ânando Bhagavato paccassosi.
ßVery well, reverend Sir,û venerable ânanda replied to the Gracious One.

ßSiïgãvaõõaü yugaü maññhaü Pukkuso abhihàrayi,
ßA pair of polished gold-coloured (robes) was offered by Pukkusa,

Tena acchàdito Satthà hemavaõõo asobhathàû ti.
Once clothed with it the Teacher's golden (skin) colour shone forth.û ⁰⁶