223. Dverataniya

I was a deer-hunter back then,
within a grove in the forest.
I saw the Buddha, Stainless One,
Sacrificial Recipient.

I then gave a piece of meat to
Vipassi Buddha, the Great Sage.
I exercised overlordship
in the world including its gods.

Because of giving meat back then,
gems came into being for me.
I had two jewels in this world
for attainment of worldly things.

I am enjoying everything
as the profit of a meat-gift.
I have a body which is soft
and wisdom, a sharp intellect.

In the ninety-one aeons since
I gave him that meat at that time,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that is the fruit of giving meat.

And in the fourth aeon ago
there was one lord of the people.
He was named Mahārohita,
a wheel-turning king with great strength.

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught!

Thus indeed Venerable Dverataniya Thera spoke these verses.