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B0102051522mahānipāto (great chapter)

English

523. Questioned by him, Mātali, the charioteer of the gods, explained; Knowing the result of meritorious deeds, he explained to one who knew. 524. “Whatever mortals there are in this life In the world, virtuous lay followers; In parks and wells, water-stalls and bridges; To Arahants, the cooled ones, they respectfully offered. Robes and almsfood, Requisites and lodgings; They gave to the upright ones, with a clear mind. The fourteenth, the fifteenth, And the eighth of the fortnight; And the special fortnight, well-composed of eight factors. They observed the Uposatha, always restrained in virtues; From self-control and sharing, they rejoice in the mansion. This mansion shines forth, well-made of crystal; Crowded with groups of excellent women, adorned with excellent pinnacled houses. Endowed with food and drinks, and with both dance and song; And rivers flow around it, filled with various flowering trees. Joy indeed seizes me, charioteer, seeing this, I ask you, Mātali, charioteer of the devas; What good deed did this mortal do, who rejoices, having reached heaven in a mansion? Asked by him, Mātali, the charioteer of the devas, explained; Knowing the result of meritorious deeds, he spoke to the one who knew. "In Mithilā, this householder, was a lord of generosity; In parks and wells, water-stalls and bridges; To Arahants, the cooled ones, he respectfully offered. Robes and almsfood, Requisites and lodgings; He gave to the upright ones, with a clear mind. The fourteenth, the fifteenth, And the eighth of the fortnight; And the special fortnight, well-composed of eight factors. He observed the Uposatha, always restrained in virtues; From self-control and sharing, he rejoices in the mansion." "This mansion shines forth, well-made of crystal; Crowded with groups of excellent women, adorned with excellent pinnacled houses. Endowed with food and drinks, and with both dance and song; And rivers flow around it, filled with various flowering trees. Rājāyatana trees and Kapittha trees, mangoes and sal trees and rose-apples; Tinduka trees and Piyāla trees, trees always bearing fruit many. 539. “Indeed, delight seizes me, charioteer, seeing this, I ask you, Mātali, divine charioteer; What good deed did this mortal do, Who rejoices, having reached heaven in a mansion?” 540. Being asked by him, Mātali, the divine charioteer, explained; Knowing the result of meritorious deeds, He spoke, knowing. 541. “In Mithilā, this householder Was a generous donor; In parks, at wells, At water-stalls and bridges; To Arahants, who are cooled, He respectfully ministered. 542. “Robes, almsfood, Requisites, and lodging; He gave to the upright, With a mind full of faith. 543. “The fourteenth, the fifteenth, And the eighth day of the fortnight; And the special fortnight, With the eight-fold well-observed. 544. “He observed the Uposatha, Always restrained by precepts; From self-restraint and sharing, He rejoices in the mansion.” 545. “This mansion shines forth, Made of beryl; Equipped with ground levels, Divided and measured in sections. 546. “Drums and tabors, Dances and songs well-played; Divine sounds emanate, Pleasant to hear, delightful. 547. “Never before have I known Such a beautiful sound, Seen or heard. 548. “Indeed, delight seizes me, charioteer, seeing this, I ask you, Mātali, divine charioteer; What good deed did this mortal do, Who rejoices, having reached heaven in a mansion?” 549. Being asked by him, Mātali, the divine charioteer, explained; Knowing the result of meritorious deeds, He spoke, knowing. 550. “In Bārāṇasī, this householder Was a generous donor; In parks, at wells, At water-stalls and bridges; To Arahants, who are cooled, He respectfully ministered. 551. “Robes, almsfood, Requisites, and lodging; He gave to the upright, With a mind full of faith. 552. “The fourteenth, the fifteenth, And the eighth day of the fortnight; And the special fortnight, With the eight-fold well-observed. 553. “He observed the Uposatha, Always restrained by precepts; From self-restraint and sharing, and, he rejoices in the mansion. 554. "As the rising sun, is great and red; So is this mansion, made of gold. 555. "Indeed, joy seizes me, charioteer, seeing this, I ask you, Mātali, divine charioteer; What good deed did this mortal do, who rejoices, having reached heaven in a mansion?" 556. Questioned by him, Mātali, the divine charioteer, explained; Knowing the result of meritorious deeds, he spoke to the one who knew. 557. "In Sāvatthī, this householder, was a lord of generosity; In parks, and at water-wells, at drinking-places, and on bridges; He respectfully ministered to the Arahants, who had become cool. 558. "Robes and almsfood, requisites, and lodging; He gave to the upright ones, with a mind full of clear faith. 559. "On the fourteenth, the fifteenth, and the eighth day of the fortnight; And on the special fortnight, well-composed with eight factors. 560. "He observed the Uposatha, always restrained in virtues; Through self-restraint and sharing, he rejoices in the mansion. 561. "Many aerial mansions for me, made of gold; Shining brightly, they gleam amidst the clouds like lightning. 562. "Indeed, joy seizes me, charioteer, seeing this, I ask you, Mātali, divine charioteer; What good deed did these mortals do, who rejoice, having reached heaven in mansions?" 563. Questioned by him, Mātali, the divine charioteer, explained; Knowing the result of meritorious deeds, he spoke to the one who knew. 564. "With well-established faith, in the well-proclaimed True Dhamma; They did the Master's word, in the teaching of the Perfectly Enlightened One; These are the abodes for them, which you, O King, see. 565. "Known to you, great king, are the abodes of evil-doers; And the places of good-doers are known to you; Now proceed, O royal sage, to the presence of the king of devas." 566. "Mounted on a divine chariot, drawn by a thousand horses; As the great king journeyed, he saw mountains in between; Seeing them, he addressed the charioteer, "What are these mountains called?" 567. [a Questioned by him, Mātali, the divine charioteer, Explained. Knowing the fruit of good deeds, He spoke to the one who knew. 568. Sudassana, Karavīka, Īsadhara, Yugandhara, Nemindhara, Vinataka, Assakaṇṇa, great mountains. 569. These mountains in Sīdantara, Gradually they have risen, Dwellings for great kings, Which you, O king, now see. 570. Of many forms, charming, Shining with various wonders, Filled with those like Indra, Well-guarded like tigers. 571. Indeed, delight seizes me, Charioteer, seeing this, I ask you, Mātali, Divine charioteer: What do they call this gate? (It appears lovely from afar.) 572. Questioned by him, Mātali, the divine charioteer, Explained. Knowing the fruit of good deeds, He spoke to the one who knew. 573. What they call Citrakūṭa, The entrance for the king of gods, This gate of Sudassana mountain, It shines forth. 574. Of many forms, charming, Shining with various wonders, Filled with those like Indra, Well-guarded like tigers. Enter by this, O king, Step onto the dustless ground. 575. Mounted on a divine chariot, Drawn by a thousand horses, As he journeyed, the great king Saw this assembly of gods. 576. Just as in autumn sky, A blue radiance appears, So similar is this mansion, Built of lapis lazuli. 577. Indeed, delight seizes me, Charioteer, seeing this, I ask you, Mātali, Divine charioteer: What do they call this mansion? (It appears lovely from afar.) 578. Questioned by him, Mātali, the divine charioteer, Explained. Knowing the fruit of good deeds, He spoke to the one who knew. one who knows. 579. “That which they call Sudhammā, this assembly hall is seen; Brilliant with lapis lazuli, beautifully constructed. 580. “Eight-sided, well-made pillars, all made of lapis lazuli; Where the Tāvatiṃsa gods, all with Indra as their priest. 581. “Thinking of the welfare of gods and humans, they assemble; Enter, O royal sage, to the gods’ approval.” 582. The gods then rejoiced, seeing the king arrive; “Welcome, great king, and your arrival is not far off; Sit now, O royal sage, near the king of gods.” 583. Sakka also rejoiced, the Videhan, lord of Mithilā; Vāsava invited him with pleasures and a seat. 584. “It is good that you have arrived, at the abode of the powerful; Dwell among the gods, O royal sage, amidst all fulfilled desires; Among the Tāvatiṃsa gods, enjoy superhuman pleasures.” 585. “Just as a borrowed carriage, just as borrowed wealth; Even so is this, which is from others, by way of a gift. 586. “And I do not desire this, which is from others, by way of a gift; Merits made by myself, that is my unique wealth. 587. “So I, having gone to humans, will do much good; By giving, by equal conduct, by restraint and by taming; Having done which one is happy, and does not later regret.” 588. “You are of great help to us, Mātali, charioteer of the gods; Who showed me the good deeds and the bad.” 589. Having said this, King Nimi, the Videhan, lord of Mithilā; Having offered a great sacrifice, he entered into restraint. The Nimi Jātaka, the fourth. 542. The Umaṅga Jātaka (5) 590. “Pañcāla with his entire army, Brahmadatta has arrived; This evening Pañcāla’s army, is immeasurable, Mahosadha. 591. “With paths, with wings, skilled in all battles; A remover, sounding, awakening with drums and conchs. 592. ‘‘Adorned with copper-smiths, a banner-bearing army, mounted on elephants; Well-equipped with artisans, well-established with heroes. 593. ‘‘Ten wise ones are there, they say, of great wisdom, going in secret; The mother, the eleventh, rules in Pañcāla. 594. ‘‘Then one hundred and one Khattiyas, glorious followers; Whose kingdoms were seized, distressed, have come under the sway of Pañcāla. 595. ‘‘Speaking as commanded, doing as commanded by the king, unwillingly speaking pleasing words; They follow Pañcāla,