Vimanavatthu4.2

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4.2 SHINING MANSION (40)

(Pabhassara-vimana)

The Bhagava(Lord Buddha) was dwelling at Rajagaha. And at that time in Rajagaha was a certain lay-follower having faith in the Elder Maha-Moggallana. One of his daughters, with faith & bliss, also had great esteem for the Elder. Now one day the venerable Elder Monk Maha-Moggallana while walking for alms in Rajagaha came up to the house. The girl seeing him was filled with joy, had a seat prepared, and when the Elder was seated there honoured him with a garland of jasmine and filled the Elder's bowl with molasses. Wishing to give thanks, the Elder remained seated. The girl, intimating that because of many housekeeping duties she had no time to listen, said, "I will listen to Dhamma(path of eternal truth) some other day," paid her respects to the Elder and took leave of him. And on that very day she died and was reborn among the Thirty-three(heaven). The venerable Elder Monk Maha-Moggallana approached her and questioned her in these verses:

1 "Lady of shining beauty, superb, clothed in brightly glittering garments, whose psychic potency(power) is great, whose limbs are gleaming (as though anointed with) sandal-wood- who are you, fair devata(angel), who honour me?

2 And your very costly divan is inlaid with divers jewels, gleaming, on which you when seated shine forth like the king of devas(angels) in Nandana(Eden) Grove.

3 what good conduct did you formerly perform, lovely one? Of what deed are you enjoying the resultant in the deva(angel)-world? Devata(angel), when asked, tell of what deed this is the fruit(result)."

Questioned by the Elder thus, the devata(angel) explained in these verses:

4 "When you were walking for alms I gave you a garland and molasses, reverend sir. This is the resultant of that deed that I am enjoying in the deva(angel)-world.

5 But remorse is mine, for a misdeed have I committed, reverend sir. I did not listen to Dhamma(path of eternal truth) well taught by the King of Dhamma(path of eternal truth).

6 Therefore I say, 'Blessings on you. Whoever would be compassionate towards me he should incite me in the teachings' well taught it is by the King of Dhamma(path of eternal truth).

7 Whosever have faith in the Buddha and in Dhamma(path of eternal truth) and in the jewel of the Order(of monks), they outshine me in life-span, fame and brilliance; these other devas(angels) are above me in splendour and beauty, of greater psychic potency(power) than I am."