28. Uttiya

On Candabhāgā River’s bank
I was a crocodile back then.
Being engaged in getting food
I went up to the river bank.

At that time the Self-Become One,
Siddhattha, the Best among Men,
approached a ford on that river
wishing to cross the river there.

When the Sambuddha had arrived
I also approached that same place.
Having approached I then uttered
these kind words to the Sambuddha:

“Climb aboard me, O Great Hero,
I’ll take you across the river.
This is the sphere of my fathers;
please have pity, O Sage So Great.”

Having heard me growling loudly
the Great Sage then climbed up on me.
Smiling with a heart of laughter
I ferried the World-Chief across.

Then that World-Chief named Siddhattha
gone to the other river bank
gave consolation to me there:
“you will achieve the deathless state.”

After falling from that body
I went on to the world of gods.
Surrounded by celestial nymphs
I enjoyed much divine pleasure.

Seven times as the king of gods
I exercised divine rule there.
Three times as a wheel-turning king
I was the lord of the whole earth.

Binding myself to solitude,
I am clever and self-controlled.
I’m now bearing my last body,
in the Sambuddha’s great teaching.

In the ninety-four aeons since
I thus ferried the Bull of Men
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth;
that is the fruit of ferrying.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Uttiya Thera spoke these verses.