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[Uruvilvàto »ùipatanaü Gamanaü]
[The Journey from Uruvilvà to »ùipatana]

(from Mahàvastu pp. 322-329)

Edited by Emile Senart and Translated by ânandajoti Bhikkhu

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Introduction

The translation that follows is from a section of the Mahàvastu (Great Story) dealing with the period after Lord Buddha left the area where he had attained Awakening until he arrives at the place where he will give his first official teachings. I made the translation while working on a part of the Mahàkhandhakaü of the Vinaya, which describes the whole period from just after the Awakening up and till the conversion of Sàriputta and Mahàmoggallàna.

The section provides interest in the variations it provides on the one hand, and the extra information it gives about this journey on the other. As regards the variations they are numerous and complex. In this version of events the Buddha first thinks of teaching Udraka Ràmaputra, not âràóa Kàlàma as in the Pàëi; the interview with the grumbling bràhmaõa is placed on the journey, whereas in the Pàëi it is said to have happened while still in the vicinity of Uruvilvà; the meeting with the Abstainer Upaka is more elaborated here.

As to the additions they are many, but none so very significant: including the preparation of the road by the Pure Land gods; a description of the journey; the meeting with the Dragon-King Sudarèana; many more incidental meetings that are mentioned along the way; and the problem with crossing the Ganges on the final part of the journey. Perhaps one significant thing is that all the days seem to have been accounted for and we can tell from the text that the Buddha spent at least one week on the journey and who entertained him during that time is mentioned in the story.

The text itself is written in a very imperfect Sansritised PràkÔt which, even in this short extract, is very unstable in regards to its form, indeed the Sanskritisation seems to be almost haphazard as some examples will show: the text first writes tasmàd-ahaü Upaka Jino, which shows the PràkÔtic ending to the noun, whereas just two lines below we find: tasmàd-ahaü Upaka Jinaþ, which has the Sanskritised ending.

The application of the sandhi rules is equally haphazard, writing yàvac-ca Bodhi yàvac-ca Vàràõasã one time (semi-Sanskritised); yàvac-ca Bodhir-yàvac-ca Vàràõasã on another occasion (properly Sanskritised); and then yàva ca Bodhir-yàva ca Vàràõasã on another (not Sanskritised). Similarly the text has no problem reading gàthàye 'dhyabhàùe with the loss of the vowel according to sandhi rules one time; and then gàthàye adhyabhàùe elsewhere.

These differences and variations make for interest both for the casual reader and for the scholar, and what the work stands in need of is a thorough examination of its historical and linguistic materials which would further deepen our understanding of the earliest tradition.

Acknowledgement

I am very grateful again to Rod Bucknell who kindly went through the whole work for me and made a number of useful suggestions and corrections, which has helped clarify the presentation of this work.

[Uruvilvàto »ùipatanaü Gamanaü] ¹
[The Journey from Uruvilva to »ùipatana]

[1. Deciding Who to Teach] ²

... atha khalu Bhagavàü ... etad-abhåùi:
... then this occurred ... to the Gracious One:

ßYaü nånàham-âryam-anuttaraü Dharmacakraü pravartayeyaü?
ßNow what if I were to set rolling the unsurpassed and Noble Dharma-Wheel?

Ko nu khalu me pratibalo prathamaü Dharmaü deèitaü àjànituü,
Who would be able to understand my first Dharma-teaching,

na ca me vihiüsaye yam-idaü Dharmadeèanàye?
and would not become annoyed at this Dharma-teaching?

Atha khalu Bhagavato etad-abhåùi:
Then this occurred to the Gracious One:

ßUdrako Ràmaputro èuddho alparajo aparokùajàtãyo,
ßUdraka Ràmaputra ³ is pure, having little dust, an open-minded person, ⁴

so ca dåragato atikràntagato,
he has gone far (along the path), has gone a long way,

naivasaüjÿànàsaüjÿàyatanasahavratàye Dharmaü deèayati,
he preaches the Dharma concerning the duty of (attaining) the sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception,

adya saptàhaü kàlagato Udrako Ràmaputro, mahàhànir-Udrako Ràmaputro.
(but) Udraka Ràmaputra died ⁵ seven days ago, Udraka Ràmaputra (has suffered) a great loss. ⁶

Katamo pi khalv-anyo pi satvo èuddho alparajo aparokùajàtãyo,
Now what other being is pure, having little dust, an open-minded person,

yo me pratibalo prathamaü Dharmaü deèitam-àjànituü,
who would be able to understand my first Dharma-teaching,

na ca me viheñheyà yam-idaü Dharmaèravaõàya?
and would not become annoyed at hearing this Dharma?

âràóo Kàlàmo èuddho alparajo alparajaskajàtãyo,
âràóa Kàlàma is pure, having little dust, with little dust on his eyes,

yo me pratibalo prathamaü Dharmaü deèitam-àjànituü,
he would be able to understand my first Dharma-teaching,

na ca me viheñhaye yam-idaü Dharmaèravaõàya,
and would not become annoyed at hearing this Dharma-teaching,

mahàhànir-âràóasya adya, try-ahaü kàlagato âràóo Kàlàmo.
(but) for âràóa there is great loss, (for) âràóa Kàlàma died three days ago.

Katamo punar-anyo pi satvo èuddho alparajaskajàtãyo,
Now what other being is pure, with little dust on his eyes,

yo me pratibalo prathamaü Dharmaü deèitam-àjànituü,
who would be able to understand my first Dharma-teaching,

na ca me viheñhaye yam-idaü Dharmaèravaõàya?û
and would not become annoyed at hearing this Dharma-teaching?û

Atha khalu Bhagavato etad-abhåùi:
Then this occurred to the Gracious One:

ßPaücakà bhadravargiyà èuddhà alparajà alparajaskajàtãyàs-,
ßThe good group-of-five ⁷ are pure, having little dust, with little dust on their eyes,

te me pratibalà prathamaü Dharmaü deèitaü àjànituü,
they would be able to understand my first Dharma-teaching,

na ca me viheñhayensuþ yam-idaü Dharmaèravaõàya,
they would not become annoyed with me at hearing this Dharma-teaching,

pårvam-eva duùkaraü carantasya anubaüdhensuþ.
they followed me during my life of austerity.

Te ca Vàràõasyàü viharanti »ùipatane MÔgadàve.
They are now living near Vàràõasã, in the Deer Park at »ùipatana.

Yaü nånàhaü Vàràõasãü gatvà, Vàràõasyàü »ùipatane MÔgadàve,
Now what if I, having gone to Vàràõasã, to the Deer Park at »ùipatana, near Vàràõasã,

paücànàü bhadravargiyànàü prathamaü Dharmaü deèayeyaü?
were to preach the first Dharma-teaching to the good group-of-five?

[2. Preparing the Road]

Atha khalu saübahulà maheèàkhyà øuddhàvàsakàyikà devà,
Then a great many very powerful gods from the Hosts in the Pure Lands, ⁸

yena Bhagavàns-tenopasaükramitvà,
after approaching the Gracious One,

Bhagavataþ pàdau èirasà vanditvà, ekànte asthànsuþ.
and worshipping the Gracious One's feet with their heads, stood at one side.

Ekàntas-thitàs-te Bhagavantam-etad-uvàca:
While standing on one side they said this to the Gracious One:

ßYaü Bhagavato antevàsinàü abhijÿàtaü parijÿàtaü
ßThe Gracious One's pupils understand and know very well

pratibalàè-ca punar-vayaü Bhagavato vividhàni vicitràõi Ôddhipràtihàryàõi kartuü,
that for the Gracious One we are able to do various and diverse miracles,

yena Bhagavàn-màrgeõa Bodhito
^o and along the path the Gracious One will go from the Bodhi (Tree)

Vàràõasyàü gamiùyati »ùipatanaü MÔgadàvaü,
to the Deer Park at »ùipatana, near Vàràõasã,

anuttaraü Dharmacakraü pravartayituü,
to set rolling the unsurpassed Dharma-Wheel,

tato vayaü Bhagavato
^o we will attend on the Gracious One

yàvac-ca Bodhi yàvac-ca Vàràõasã màrgaü pratijàgariùyàmaþ,
along the path from the Bodhi (Tree) to Vàràõasã,

samaü asamaviùamaü pàõitalajàtaü,
(making it) even, level like the palm of a hand,

vitatavitànaü citradåùyaparikùiptaü osaktapaññadàmakalàpaü,
covered with a canopy, surrounded with beautiful cloth, bound round with bunches of silken cloth,

siktasammÔùñaü dhåpitadhåpanaü,
sprinkled and swept, perfumed with incense,

muktapuùpàvakãrõaü suvarõavàlikàsaüstÔtaü,
bestrewn with flowers, covered with beautifully coloured sand,

divyamuktàcårõasaüstÔtaü divyasphañikacårõasaüstÔtaü,
covered with divine powdered pearls, covered with divine powdered crystal,

divyamusàragalvacårõasaüstÔtaü divyalohitikàcårõasaüstÔtaü.
covered with divine powdered coral, covered with divine powdered rubies.

Tatra ca vayaü Bhagavaü màrge yàvac-ca Bodhir-yàvac-ca Vàràõasã
There, Gracious One, along the path from the Bodhi (Tree) to Vàràõasã

divyà tàlapaüktiyo abhinirminiùyàmaþ,
we will create divine rows of palm trees,

[acchà samà saikatà] ⁹ sukhopanãtà citràõi darèanãyàni,
[transparent, even, sandy,] pleasant, beautiful, good-looking,

saptànàü varõànàü: ¹⁰ suvarõasya råpyasya muktàyà,
(made of) seven forms: of gold, silver, pearl,

vaióåryasya sphañikasya musàgalvasya lohitikàyà.
beryl, crystal, coral, and of ruby.

Tatra ca vayaü Bhagavaü màrge vàmadakùiõato
There, Gracious One, along the path, on the left and the right

divyàyo nadãyo abhinirminiùyàmaþ acchà samà saikatà sukhopanãtà,
we will create divine streams, transparent, even, sandy, pleasant,

suvarõavàlukàsaüstÔtà utpalapadmakumudapuõóarãkanalinã-
covered with beautifully coloured sand, with a pond (full) of water-lilies, lotuses, white lotuses,

saugandhika-àmrajambukalakucapanasanàrikela-
^o and shaded completely with sweet smelling mangoes, rose-apples, bread-fruit, jack-fruit, coconuts,

pàlevatakabhavyadàóimavÔddhikapracchannà.
ebony, star-fruit, and pomegranite.

Tatra ca vayaü Bhagavan-màrge yàva ca Bodhir-yàva ca Vàràõasã
There, Gracious One, along the path between the Bodhi (Tree) and Vàràõasã

divyàni cchattràõi abhinirminitvà, divyàni dhvajàni abhinirminiùyàmaþ,
after creating divine sunshades, we will create divine banners,

divyàni kåñàgàràõi abhinirminiùyàmaþ citràõi darèanãyàni,
we will create divine peaked halls, beautiful, good-looking,

saptànàü ratnànàü: suvarõasya råpyasya muktàyà,
(made of) the seven treasures: of gold, silver, pearl,

vaióåryasya sphañikasya musàgalvasya lohitikàyà.
beryl, crystal, coral, and of ruby.

Bhagavato gacchantasya gamiùyanti tiùñhantasya tiùñhanti,
When the Gracious One goes they will go, when he stops they will stop,

purato ca Varùavalàhakà devaputrà divyàni puùpàõi pràkiriùyanti,
and the Rain Cloud gods will scatter divine flowers,

mandaü mandaü ca devà prasàrayiùyanti.
and slowly slowly the gods will advance.

[3. The Entourage sets Off]

Bhagavati Bodhito Vàràõasãm-»ùipatanaü MÔgadàvaü prasthite
On the Gracious One's journey from the Bodhi (Tree) to the Deer Park at »ùipatana, near Vàràõasã

anuttaraü Dharmacakraü pravartayituü øuddhàvàsehi devehi màrgo pratijàgÔto,
to set rolling the unsurpassed Dharma-Wheel the path had been prepared by the Pure Land gods,

mahatãü catur-aüginãsenàm-abhinirmiõitvà
and after creating a great four-fold army

mahàntaü hastikàyaü mahàntam-aèvakàyaü rathakàyaü pattikàyaü,
(consisting of) a great body of elephants, a great body of horses, a body of chariots, and a body of foot-soldiers,

Bhagavantaü Vàràõasãü gacchantaü puras-karensuþ.
they placed the Gracious One in front as he was going to Vàràõasã.

Yàvat-Suvarõànàm-adhipatayo Suvarõaràjàno,
Many of the lords of the Suvarõas ¹¹ and Kings of the Suvarõas,

aõóajà và jaràyujà và aupapàdukà và saüsvedajà và,
whether born of eggs, born from a womb, born of moisture, or (born) spontaneously, ¹²

te mahàntaü catur-aüginãsenàü Ôddhãye abhinirmiõitvà
after creating with their psychic power a great four-fold army

Bhagavantaü gacchantaü puras-karensuþ;
placed the Gracious One in front as he was going;

yàva Nàgànàü Nàgàdhipatayo Nàgaràjàno,
many of the lords of the Nàgas and Kings of the Nàgas,

aõóajà và jaràyujà và saüsvedajà và aupapàdukà và,
whether born of eggs, born from a womb, born of moisture, or (born) spontaneously,

te mahatãü catur-aüginãsenàm-Ôddhãye abhinirmiõitvà
after creating with their psychic power a great four-fold army

Bhagavantaü Vàràõasãü gacchantaü puras-karensuþ;
placed the Gracious One in front as he was going to Vàràõasã;

catur-mahàràjikà devà Trayastriüèà Yàmàs-Tuùità Nirmàõarati,
(also) the gods called the Four Great Kings, the Trayastriüsa, Yàma, Tuùita, Nirmàõarati,

Paranirmitavaèavarti Brahmakàyikà devà,
Paranirmitavaèavarti, and Brahmakàyikà gods,

mahàntaü catur-aüginãsenàm-Ôddhãye abhinirmiõitvà,
after creating with their psychic power a great four-fold army,

Bhagavantaü Kàèiü gacchantaü puras-karensuþ.
placed the Gracious One in front as he was going to Kàèã. ¹³

[4. The Dragon-King]

Atha khalu Bhagavàü mahatãye pariùàye,
Then the Gracious One, surrounded and placed at the front of a great assembly,

anekaèatàye anekasahasràye anekaèatasahasràye puras-kÔto parivàrito,
with countless hundreds, countless thousands, countless hundreds of thousands,

Uruvilvàto Gayàü gacchati, Gayàto Aparagayàü gacchati.
went from Uruvilvà to Gayà, and from Gayà to Aparagayà.

Aparagayàyàü Sudarèano nàma Nàgaràjà
At Aparagayà the Dragon-King called Sudarèana

tena Bhagavàü Aparagayàyàü vàsena bhaktena ca nimantrito,
invited the Gracious One to dwell and eat with him at Aparagayà,

tahiü Bhagavàü, Sudarèanasya Nàgaràjÿo bhavane vasitvà,
and the Gracious One, after dwelling in the domicile of the Dragon-King Sudarèana,

kÔtàhàro Vaèàlàü gacchati.
ate and went on to Vaèàlà.

[5. The Grumbling Bràhmaõa] ¹⁴

Vaèàlàyàü nadã nàma bràhmaõaþ huhuükajàtiko vuccati,
At the river Vaèàlà there was a bràhmaõa said to be a grumbler by nature,

so Bhagavantaü gacchantaü apasavyãkaroti ca ßhuhunû-ti ca karoti.
and as the Gracious One was going he showed disrespect and uttered ßhuhuüû.

Bhagavàü etasmiü vastusmiü etasmiü nidàne etasmiü prakaraõe
The Gracious One, with that as the basis, as the cause, as the reason,

tàye velàye imaü udànam-udànaye:
on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance: ¹⁵

[6. The Abstainer Upaka] ¹⁷

Vaèàlàyàm-anyatamo ¹⁸ gÔhapatiþ Bhagavantaü vàsena ca bhaktena ca nimantreti
At Vaèàlà a certain householder invited the Gracious One to dwell and eat with him

tahiü Bhagavàü vusto kÔtabhaktakÔtyo,
and when the Gracious One had dwelt and eaten in that place,

Vaèàlàto Cundadvãlaü nàma adhiùñhànaü gacchati.
from Vaèàlà he made an approach to Cundadvãlà.

Adràkùãt Upako âjãvako Bhagavantaü dårato yevàgacchantaü,
The Abstainer Upaka saw the Gracious One coming from afar,

dÔùñvà ca punar-yena Bhagavàüs-tenopasaükramitvà
and again after seeing the Gracious One, approaching

Bhagavatà sàrdhaü saümodanãyàü kathàü saümodayitvà
^o and exchanging polite talk with the Gracious One

sàràyaõãyàü kathàü vyatisàrayitvà, ekànte sthàd-ekàntas-thitaþ
and courteous greetings, he stood at one side, and while stood on one side

Upako âjãvako Bhagavantam-etad-uvàcat:
Upaka the Abstainer said this to the Gracious One:

ßParièuddho Bhagavato Gautamasya cchavivarõo parièuddho paryavadàto,
ßPurified is the Gracious Gautama's skin, purified and bright,

viprasannaü ca mukhavarõaü,
and his face is clear,

sayyathàpi nàma tàlasya pakvasya saüprati vÔntacyutasya
just as when a palm nut has fallen from the stalk

bandhanàèrayo parièuddho bhavati paryavadàto sapãtanirbhàso ca,
the stalk it hung from is purified, bright and golden,

evam-eva Bhagavato Gautamasya cchavivarõo parièuddho paryavadàto
just so the Gracious Gautama's skin is purified and bright,

viprasanno ca mukhavarõo:
and his face is clear:

adya Bhagavatà GautamenàmÔtaü adhigataü amÔtagàmã ca Màrgo.û
today the Deathless has been attained by the Gracious Gautama, and the Path that leads to the Deathless.û

Evam-ukte Bhagavàn-Upakaü âjãvakaü etad-uvàca:
After that was said, the Gracious One said this to the Abstainer Upaka:

ßAmÔtaü me Upaka adhigataü amÔtagàmã ca màrgo.û
ßThe Deathless has been attained by me, and the Path that leads to the Deathless.û

Evam-ukte Upako Bhagavantam-etad-uvàca:
After that was said, Upaka said this to the Gracious One:

ßKahiü vo bho Gautama brahmacaryam-uùyate?û
ßUnder whom, dear Gautama, do you live the spiritual life?û

Evam-ukte Bhagavàn-Upakaü âjãvakaü gàthàye adhyabhàùe:
After that was said, the Gracious One addressed the Abstainer Upaka with a verse:

Evam-ukta ¹⁹ Upako âjãvako Bhagavantam-etad-uvàca:
After that was said, the Abstainer Upaka said this to the Gracious One:

ßAnàcàryo Bhagavàü Gautamo prajànàsi?û
ßIs the Gracious Gautama claiming to be without a Teacher?û

Atha khalu Bhagavàn-Upakaü âjãvakaü gàthàye adhyabhàùe:
Then the Gracious One addressed the Abstainer Upaka with verses:

Evam-ukte Upako âjãvako Bhagavantam-etad-uvàca:
After that was said, the Abstainer Upaka said this to the Gracious One:

ßArhann-iti Bhagavàü Gautamo prajànàsi?û
ßIs the Gracious Gautama claiming to be a Worthy One?û

Atha khalu Bhagavàn-Upakaü âjãvakaü gàthàye adhyabhàùe
Then the Gracious One addressed the Abstainer Upaka with verses:

Evam-ukte Upako âjãvako Bhagavantam-etad-uvàca:
After that was said, the Abstainer Upaka said this to the Gracious One:

ßJino ti Bhagavàü Gautamo prajànàsi?û
ßIs the Gracious Gautama claiming to be a Victor?û

Atha khalu Bhagavàn-Upakaü âjãvakaü gàthàye 'dhyabhàùe:
Then the Gracious One addressed the Abstainer Upaka with verses:

Evam-ukte Upako âjãvako Bhagavantam-etad-uvàca:
After that was said, the Abstainer Upaka said this to the Gracious One:

ßKahiü Bhagavàü Gautamo gamiùyasi?û
ßWhere will the Gracious Gautama go?û

Atha khalu Bhagavàü Upakaü âjãvakaü gàthàye 'dhyabhàùaye:
Then the Gracious One addressed the Abstainer Upaka with verses:

Devatà antarãkùe gàthàü bhàùanti:
The gods in the firmament spoke this verse:

[7. Meetings along the Way]

Cundadvãlàyàü Cundo nàma Yakùo
At Cundadvãlà the Yakùa Cunda

tena Bhagavàü svake bhavane vàsena ca bhaktena ca nimantrito.
invited the Gracious One to dwell and eat at his domicile.

Bhagavàü Cundasya Yakùasya bhavane ekaràtroùito kÔtabhaktakÔtyo
The Gracious One, after he had dwelt and eaten at the Yakùa Cunda's domicile for one night

Sàrathipure Lohitavastukaü gacchati.
went to Lohitavastu near Sàrathipura.

Lohitavastuke Kamaõóaluko nàma Nàgaràjo
At Lohitavastu the Dragon-King Kamaõóaluka

tena Bhagavàü svake bhavane vàsena ca bhaktena ca nimantrito.
invited the Gracious One to dwell and eat at his domicile.

Tatràpi Bhagavàü ekaràtroùito kÔtabhaktakÔtyo
The Gracious One, after he had dwelt and eaten there for one night

Lohitakàto Gandhapuraü gacchati.
went from Lohitaka to Gandhapura.

Gandhapure Kandho nàma Yakùo prativasati
At Gandhapura dwelt the Yakùa Kandha

tena Bhagavàü svake ca bhavane vàsena ca bhaktena ca nimantrito.
and he invited the Gracious One to dwell and eat at his domicile.

Tatràpi Bhagavàn-ekaràtroùito kÔtabhaktakÔtyo
The Gracious One, after he had dwelt and eaten there for one night

Sàrathipuraü gacchati.
went (back to) Sàrathipura.

Sàrathipure Bhagavàü anyatareõa gÔhapatinà vàsena ca bhaktena ca nimantrito.
At Sàrathipura another householder invited the Gracious One to dwell and eat at his domicile.

Tatràpi Bhagavàü ekaràtroùito kÔtabhaktakÔtyo
The Gracious One, after he had dwelt and eaten there for one night

Sàrathipuràto Gaügàtãram-anupràpto.
from Sàrathipura arrived at the bank of the Ganges.

[8. The Boatman]

Nàviko dàni àha: ßDehi tarapaõyaü,û
Now the boatman said: ßGive the fare for crossing,û

Bhagavàn-àha: ßKuto mama samaleùñukàücanasya,
the Gracious One said: ßHow can I, when money is the same (to me) as a clod of earth,

vyapagatajàtaråparajatasya tarapaõyaü?û
and I am without gold and silver, (give) the fare for crossing?û

Nàviko àha: ßYadi me desi tarapaõyantarãhasi,
The boatman said: ßIf you give me the fare for crossing you will cross,

atha na dadàsi na tarãhasãti.û
but if you don't give you won't cross.û

Bhagavàn-àha:
The Gracious One said:

Bhagavà dàni Gaügàm-uttãrõo Vàràõasãm-anupràptaþ Saükhamedhãyaü asthàsi,
Having crossed the Ganges the Gracious One arrived at Vàràõasã and stopped at Saükhamedã,

Bhagavàü kàlaü àgameti Vàràõasyàü piõóàya carituü.
and when the right time had come the Gracious One went into Vàràõasã for alms.

»ùipatane paücakà bhadravargiyà viharanti:
The good group-of-five were living at »ùipatana:

âjÿàtakauõóinyo Aèvakã Bhadrako Vàùpo Mahànàmo...
âjÿàta-Kauõóinya, Aèvakã, Bhadraka, Vàùpa, Mahànàma ²⁷...