[8. Piṇḍola-Bhāradvāja]

The Victor Padumuttara
the Self-Become One, Best Person,
did dwell in CChittakūṭa^[1] then,
in front of the Himalayas. (1) [620]

I was [then] the king of beasts there,
fearlessly going on all fours.
Hearing the voice of that [Buddha]
many folks were assembling [then]. (2) [621]

Picking up a blooming lotus
I approached [him], the Bull of Men,
[and] gave it to the Buddha when
he’d risen from meditation. (3) [622]

I worshipped from four directions
the Best Buddha, Ultimate Man
and bringing pleasure to [my] heart
I [then] roared out^[2] a lion’s roar. (4) [623]

Padumuttara, World-Knower,
Sacrificial Recipient,
sitting down on his own seat then
uttered these verses [about me]: (5) [624]

Knowing that Buddha would speak,^[3] the
gods all came together, [thinking],
“the Best One, [the Buddha] has come;
let us listen to his Teaching.” (6) [625]

The World-Chief, the Far-Seeing One,
the Great Sage [Buddha] then explained
the [meaning] of my roar before
[those gods] overcome with laughter. (7) [626]

“I shall relate details of him
who gave [me] this lotus flower
and who has roared a lion’s roar;
[all of] you listen to my words: (8) [627]

Eight aeons in the future he
will be a wheel-turning monarch,
possessor of the seven gems,
a lord of the four continents. (9) [628]

He [then] will reign over the earth
for four more than sixty [lifetimes].^[4]
He will be known as Paduma,^[5]
a wheel-turning king with great strength. (10) [629]

In one hundred thousand aeons,
arising in Okkāka’s clan,
the one whose name is Gotama,
will be the Teacher in the world. (11) [630]

This one will be a brahmin when
the Buddha’s words are broadcast then.
Leaving behind his brahmin-ness,
he’ll go forth [in the Buddhist way]. (12) [631]

Being one bent on exertion,
calmed,^[6] devoid of grounds for rebirth,^[7]
knowing well all the defilements,
he’ll reach nirvana, undefiled. (13) [632]

[Though] of a frightful clan of beasts
[living] in the deepest forest,
knowing well all the defilements,
he’ll reach nirvana, undefiled.” (14) [633]

My defilements are [now] burnt up;
all [new] existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint. [634]^[8]

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! [635]^[9]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (15) [636]

Thus indeed Venerable Piṇḍola-Bhāradvāja Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Piṇḍola-Bhāradvāja Thera is finished.