Therigatha3.4

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Adapted from Archaic Translation By Mrs. Rhys Davids 1909

Compared with the Pali Tipitaka at www.tipitaka.org

3.4 Dantika, Daughter Of A Brahmin Priest To The King Of Kosala, Savatthi

She, too, having made her resolve under former Buddhas, and in this and that rebirth accumulating good karma(deeds) of age-enduring efficacy in many rebirths, was born, when the world was empty of a Buddha, as a fairy by the River Chandabhaga. Sporting one day with the fairies, and straying awhile, she saw a silent Buddha seated at the foot of a tree, and adored him in faith with flower-offerings. For this (good act) she was reborn among gods(angels) and men (many times), and, finally, in this Buddha-era, at Savatthi, in the house of the King's priest-brahmin. Come to years of discretion, she became a lay-believer in the Jetavana Grove (monastery), and, later, entered the Order under Great Pajapati the Gotami (Foster mother of Buddha as well as Head of Nuns order). And one day, while staying at Rajagaha, she ascended the Vulture's Peak, after her meal, and while resting, she saw a tame elephant stretching forth its foot when instructed by its trainer, seeing this her insight meditation (Vipassana[1]) grew, by which she won Arahantship(enlightenment equal to Buddha), with thorough grasp of the Dhamma(path of eternal truth) in true form and in meaning. And afterwards, thrilled with happiness at the thought of her attainment, she blissfully said thus:

Coming from noonday-rest on Vulture's Peak, I saw an elephant, his bath performed, Came forth from the river., (48) And a man taking his goad, instructed the great creature to stretch his foot: 'Give me your foot!' The elephant Obeyed, and to his neck the driver sprang up. (49) I saw the untamed tamed,  I saw him bent To master's will; and noticing inwardly, I passed into the forest depths to meditate and there I won over the mind experiencing trance(samadhi). (50)

[1] Vipassana : This refers to the foremost insight meditation called 'Vipassana'  taught by Buddha in which attention is focussed on inner phenomenon (breath,body,emotions, sensations & mind) with detachment (samata/equanimity) leading to self-awakening & enlightenment.