Vimanavatthu4.1

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4.1 CRIMSON MANSION (39)

(Manjitthaka-vimana)

The Bhagava(Lord Buddha) was dwelling at Savatthi, in Jetavana. While he was being entertained in the way described in the preceding Mansion, a servant-girl of a certain household had gathered flowers from a sala tree in full bloom in Dark Wood, strung them on shreds of bark for bouquets, and then gathering a great quantity of choice flowers, flowers that had fallen, she entered the city. She saw the Bhagava(Lord Buddha) seated in the pavilion and, with a mind of bliss, doing honour with the flowers, placed the bouquets all around his seat, scattered the other flowers, greeted him reverently, made the triple ceremonial circuit around him, and went on her way. After-wards she died and was reborn among the Thirty-three(heaven). For her there was a Mansion there made of red crystal and in front of it a great sala grove, the ground of which was strewn with golden sand. When the devata(angel) came out and entered the sala grove, the boughs bent low and scattered blossoms over her. The venerable Elder Monk Maha-Moggallana approached her as described above, and questioned her:

1 "In a crimson mansion strewn with golden sand, you delight in the sweetly sounding fivefold instrumental music.

2 Descending from that stately Mansion made of jewels, you enter a sala grove that is in perpetual bloom.

3 At the root of every sala tree where you stand, devata(angel), that magnificent tree sheds its blossoms, bending low.

4 The perfume of the sala grove, breeze-shaken, stirred, frequented by birds, blows in all directions like the manjusaka tree.

5 You breathe that pure scent, you see unearthly beauty. Devata(angel), when asked, tell of what deed this is the fruit(result)."

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

6 "When I was born a human being among men I was a servant-girl in my husband's house. On seeing the Buddha seated, I showered sala blossoms (round him).

7 And I, gladly, with my own hands offered the Buddha a garland well fashioned with sala blossoms.

8 I, having done this deed of righteousness praised by the Buddha, rejoice without grief, happy and healthy."