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Hearing that, I became joyful, and served the Jina for life; with a mind of loving-kindness, mindful, absorbed in wisdom. 237. By the ripening of that kamma, and by my aspirations; leaving the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa. 238. Three hundred times, I ruled as king of devas; five hundred times, I was a Wheel-turning Monarch. 239. Vast regional rule, countless in number; everywhere I was happy, due to the power of that kamma. 240. For two existences I wandered, among devas and then humans; I did not go to any other state, this is the fruit of good deeds. 241. In two families I was born, among khattiyas and then brahmins; I was not born in a low family, this is the fruit of good deeds. 242. When my last existence arrived, I became a brahmin’s kinsman; born in a wealthy brahmin family in Sāvatthī. 243. My mother was named Candavatī, my father Assalāyana; when the Buddha disciplined my father, with perfect purity. 244. Then, pleased with the Fortunate One, I went forth into homelessness; Moggallāna was my teacher, Sāriputta my preceptor. 245. As my hair was being cut, my view was uprooted; and donning the saffron robe, I attained arahantship. 246. In meaning, Dhamma, interpretation, and ready wit, my mind; was keen, therefore the World-Leader, placed me foremost in this. 247. I explained what was not seen, when questioned by Upatissa; therefore, in analytical knowledge, I am, foremost in the Buddha’s Dispensation. 248. My defilements are burnt away… …I dwell without taints. 249. My coming was indeed welcome… …the Buddha’s teaching has been done. 250. The four analytical knowledges… …the Buddha’s teaching has been done. Thus indeed, the Venerable Elder Mahākoṭṭhika spoke these verses. The seventh Apadāna is that of the Elder Mahākoṭṭhika. 8. The Apadāna of the Elder Uruveḷakassapa 251. The Jina named Padumuttara, the light of all the world The sage was wise. In this hundred-thousandth eon, the Visionary arose. 252. An instructor, an explainer, a deliverer of all beings; The Buddha, skilled in teaching, delivered many people. 253. Compassionate, merciful, a well-wisher of all beings; He established all the heretics who came to him in the Five Precepts. 254. Thus it was undisturbed, empty of heretics; Adorned with Arahants, masters of themselves, such ones. 255. Fifty-eight cubits was that great sage's height; Like a golden pillar, with thirty-two excellent marks. 256. A hundred thousand years was his lifespan; Remaining for that long, he delivered many people. 257. Then, in Haṃsavatī, I was a brahmin, well-esteemed; Approaching the light of the world, I heard the teaching of the Dhamma. 258. Then, in the great assembly, when he was establishing a great chief disciple in this foremost position, I rejoiced upon hearing it. 259. With a great retinue, having invited the Great Conqueror; With a thousand brahmins, I gave a gift together. 260. Having given a great gift, and saluted the Leader; Standing aside, joyful, I spoke these words: 261. "Because of my faith in you, hero, and the quality of my aspiration; May my retinue be great, wherever I am reborn." 262. Then the Teacher, with a voice like a roaring elephant, like the cry of a karavīka bird, spoke to the assembly: "Behold this brahmin. 263. "Golden-hued, with mighty arms, with lotus-like eyes; With an uplifted body, joyful, faithful in my virtues. 264. "He aspires to the position of the monk Sīhaghosā; In the future time, you will attain that wish. 265. "A hundred thousand eons from now, born in the Okkāka clan; A Teacher named Gotama by clan, will arise in the world. 266. "His heir in the Dhamma, his legitimate son, born of the Dhamma; Named Kassapa by clan, will be a disciple of the Teacher." 267. Ninety-two eons from now, there was an unsurpassed Teacher; Incomparable. unequaled, Phussa, the leader of the world. 268. “And he, having destroyed all darkness, having untangled the great tangle; Rains the rain of immortality, satisfying the world with its devas. 269. “At that time, in Bārāṇasī, we were kings; We were all three brothers, separated from the king. 270. “Heroic in form, strong, unconquered in battle; Then the rebellious border, the king said to us. 271. “‘Go to the border, clear the forest forces; Make the realm secure, and then give it back,’ he said. 272. “Then we said, ‘If you give a leader; For our support, we will accomplish it for you.’ 273. “Then we, having received the boon, sent by the king; Having made the border weaponless, we returned to it. 274. “Having requested the teacher's support, the king, the world-leader; Having obtained the sage-hero, we worshipped him for life. 275. “And precious garments, and delicious foods; Pleasant dwellings, and beneficial medicines. 276. “Having given to the sage with his Sangha, produced by us righteously; Virtuous, compassionate, with minds devoted to meditation. 277. “Having faithfully served the leader with a mind of loving-kindness; When that world-leader was extinguished, having made offerings according to our ability. 278. “Then, fallen from there, we went to Santusita, where there is great happiness; We all experienced this fruit, of worshipping the Buddha. 279. “As a magician on the stage, shows many transformations; So, wandering in existence, I was the lord of Videha. 280. “By the words of Guṇāceḷa, my mind gone to wrong view; Entered the path to hell, by the desire of my daughter. 281. “Not heeding the advice, of Brahmā Nārada, I; Having been purified in many ways, abandoned the evil view. 282. “Having fulfilled especially, the ten courses of action, I; Having abandoned the body, I went to heaven, as if to my own abode. 283. ‘‘When the last existence arrived, I was a kinsman of Brahmā; Born in a prosperous Bārāṇasī, in a great brahmin family. 284. ‘‘Fearing death, sickness, and old age, having plunged into the great forest; Seeking the path to Nibbāna, I wandered among the ascetics with matted hair. 285. ‘‘Then my two brothers, went forth with me; Having built a hermitage in Uruvelā, I resided there. 286. ‘‘Kassapa by clan name, a resident of Uruvelā; From that, my designation came to be, Uruvelā Kassapa. 287. ‘‘My brother by the river, was called Nadī Kassapa; And by the name of the place, Gayā Kassapa was in Gayā. 288. ‘‘Two hundred for the youngest, three hundred for the middle brother; Five hundred were mine, all disciples following me. 289. ‘‘Then the Buddha approached me, having performed various miracles for me; The foremost of the world, the charioteer of men, disciplined me. 290. ‘‘With a retinue of a thousand, I became an ‘Come, monk!’; Together with all of them, I attained arahantship. 291. ‘‘They and many others, disciples surrounded me; And I was capable of teaching, then the seventh of sages, 292. ‘‘In the assembly of the great, placed me foremost in this; Oh, the deed done by the Buddha, became fruitful for me. 293. ‘‘My defilements are burnt… I dwell without effluents. 294. ‘‘Indeed, it was a good coming for me… The Buddha’s teaching has been done. 295. ‘‘The four analytical knowledges… The Buddha’s teaching has been done.’’ 296. ‘‘The Conqueror named Padumuttara, the sage knowing all worlds; A hundred thousand aeons ago from here, the Seer arose. 297. ‘‘An instructor, an explainer, a deliverer of all beings; The Buddha, skilled in teaching, He saved many people. 298. Compassionate and kind, A well-wisher of all beings; He established all the heretics Who came to him in the five precepts. 299. Thus it became peaceful, Empty of heretics; Adorned with Arahants, Masters of themselves, the Steadfast Ones. 300. Fifty-eight cubits high, That Great Sage arose; Resembling a golden pillar, Endowed with the thirty-two excellent marks. 301. His life span was A hundred thousand years; Remaining for that long, He saved many people. 302. At that time, in Haṃsavatī, I was a brahmin, skilled in mantras; Approaching that best of men, I heard his teaching of the Dhamma. 303. The Great Hero, proclaiming, Skilled in assemblies; The monk of ready wit, The foremost leader in this. 304. Then, having paid homage To the World-Leader with his Saṅgha; Bowing my head at his feet, I aspired to that position. 305. Then the Blessed One, Resplendent like pure gold, Spoke to me with a charming voice, Which removes the defilement of klesas. 306. “May you be happy and long-lived, May your aspiration be fulfilled; The homage you paid to me with the Saṅgha Is exceedingly great. 307. In a hundred thousand aeons from now, Born into the Okkāka clan; There will be a Teacher in the world, Named Gotama by clan. 308. A rightful heir to his Dhamma, Born of the Dhamma; A disciple of the Teacher, Will be named Rādha. 309. Pleased with your meritorious qualities, That Sakyan son, the best of men; The leader will declare you Foremost among those of ready wit.” 310. Hearing that, I was delighted, And for as long as I lived, I served that Jina; With a mind of loving-kindness, Mindful and concentrated for fifty years. 311. By that well-done deed, And by my aspirations and intentions; Leaving my human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa. 312. Three hundred times, I reigned as king of devas; Five hundred times, I became a universal monarch. 313. Vast regional kingdoms, Innumerable in count; Everywhere I was happy. In my last existence, having arrived, in the excellent city of Giribbaja; Born in a wealthy brahmin family, with varied clothing and food. I offered a spoonful of alms, to the steadfast Sāriputta; When I was old and aged, then I went to the monastery. No one ordained me, old, weak, and feeble; Therefore, distressed, with a faded body, I was then sorrowful. Seeing me, the greatly compassionate one, the Great Sage said to me; ‘Why are you afflicted with sorrow, my son, tell me the pain of your heart.’ ‘I cannot obtain ordination, O Hero,