Walt 769 A rare elephant, fit for kings,
with chariot-pole tusks was given by me
to Blessed Padumuttara,
the World’s Best One, the Neutral One. Verse 1Walt 770 It included all the trappings,
white umbrella and a mahout;
taking the value of all that
I had a monastery built. Verse 2Walt 771 The palaces that I built there
numbered fifty-four thousand then;
holding a massive almsgiving
I gave it to the Sage So Great. Verse 3Walt 772 The Great Sage gave thanks to me then,
the Self-Become One, Best Person,
then he preached the path beyond death
to all of the smiling people. Verse 4Walt 773 Then Buddha, named for the lotus
made this prophesy about me;
seated in the monks’ Assembly
he uttered these verses aloud: Verse 5Walt 774 “I’ll relate the karmic results
of this one who constructed here
fifty-four thousand palaces;
all of you listen to my words: Verse 6Walt 775 Eighteen thousand huts with gables
will come into being upon
his superb heavenly mansion;
they all will be made out of gold. Verse 7Walt 776 Fifty times as the king of gods
he will exercise divine rule.
And fifty-eight times he will be
a king who turns the wheel of law. Verse 8Walt 777 In one hundred thousand aeons,
arising in Okkāka’s clan,
the one whose name is Gotama
will be the Teacher in the world. Verse 9Walt 778 Falling down from the world of gods,
incited by his wholesome roots,
every time he will be reborn
in a rich clan with lots of food. Verse 10Walt 779 He afterwards leaving the world,
incited by his wholesome roots,
will be the Teacher’s follower,
known by the name Raṭṭhapāla. Verse 11Walt 780 Being one bent on exertion,
calmed, devoid of grounds for rebirth,
knowing well all the defilements,
he’ll reach nirvana, undefiled.” Verse 12Walt 781 Rising up, having left the world,
abandoning abundant food,
like one for whom almsfood is phlegm
I have no taste for any food. Verse 13Walt 782 My effort bearing the burden
brought me release from attachments.
Now I’m bearing my last body
in the Buddha’s dispensation. Verse 14Walt 783 The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 15
Thus indeed Venerable Raṭṭhapāla Thera spoke these verses.
The legend of Raṭṭhapāla Thera is finished.