Vimanavatthu3.3

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3.3 DEVAN MANSION (31)

(Pallanka-vimana)

The Bhagava(Lord Buddha) was dwelling at Savatthi, in Jetavana. At that time in Savatthi the daughter of a certain lay-follower was given in marriage to the son of another family of similar lineage and circumstances in that same city. And she was good-tempered, perfect in the practice of morality, she held her husband in honour, had undertaken the five precepts(sheel, morality), and duly on Observance days(Uposatha, fortnightly fasting & confession)she kept the precepts(sheel). Afterwards she died and arose among the Thirty-three(heaven). The venerable Elder Monk Maha-Moggallana went there as has been described above and questioned her:

1 "Upon a finest divan adorned with jewels and gold, flower-bestrewn, a couch of splendour, there you stay, devi(angel) of great majesty, by psychic potency(power) assuming manifold forms.

2 And these, your nymphs, on every side dance, sing, a enjoy themselves. You are attained to the psychic potency(power) of devas(angels). one of great majesty. What merit did you perform when you were born a human beings? because of what is your brilliant majesty thus and your beauty illumines all the quarters(directions)?"

She explained to him in these verses:

3 "When I was born a human being among men I was a daughter-in-law in a wealthy family. I was without anger, obedient to my husband, diligent on the Observance day(Uposatha, fortnightly fasting & confession).

4 When I was born a human being, young and innocent, with a mind ful of joy, I delighted my lord(husband). By day and by night I acted to please. Of old I was one of practice of morality(sheel).

5 Refraining from killing of creatures, not thief, utterly pure in practicing celibacy; not drinking liquor and not speaking lies, I was one who fulfilled the rules of training.

6 On the fourteenth, fifteenth and eight(days) of the bright fortnight and on a special day of the fortnight well connected with the eightfold (precepts) I observed the Observance day(Uposatha, fortnightly fasting & confession) with a mind of bliss, was one who was faring according to Dhamma(path of eternal truth) with zeal in my heart.

7 And undertaking this ariyan (noble) benevolence connected with the glorious eighforld (precepts), happy in result, charming and obedient to my lord(husband) was I who formerly was a disciple of the Well-farer(Buddha).

8 Because I performed such righteous deeds in the world of the living, I partake of distinction. At the breaking up of the body, attained in the next state to the psychic potency(power) of devas(angels), I came to a good rebirth.

9 In a glorious delightful Mansion-palace, attended by a throng of nymphs, a throng of lustrous devas(angels) delight me who with a long life-span have come to the deva(angel) mansion."