297. Desakittiya

Back then I was a brahmin man
whose name was Upasālaka.
Seeing the World’s Best One, Man-Bull,
Getting the World’s Sacrifices,
plunged into the woods, the forest,
I worshipped the Buddha’s feet there.
Discerning my mental pleasure,
the Buddha disappeared right there.

Having come out of the forest,
I called to mind the Best Buddha.
Proclaiming that to the region,
I joyed an aeon in heaven.

In the ninety-two aeons since
I proclaimed that to the region,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that is the fruit of proclaiming.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Desakittiya Thera spoke these verses.