Dhammapada 2.7.p25

2.7.p25

Sudhammāpi kālaṃ katvā gantvā tattheva nibbatti. Tassā sudhammā nāma nava yojanasatikā devasabhā nibbatti. Tato ramaṇīyataraṃ kira aññaṃ ṭhānaṃ nāma natthi, māsassa aṭṭha divase dhammassavanaṃ tattheva hoti. Yāvajjatanā aññataraṃ ramaṇīyaṃ ṭhānaṃ disvā, ‘‘sudhammā devasabhā viyā’’ti vadanti. Nandāpi kālaṃ katvā gantvā tattheva nibbatti, tassā pañcayojanasatikā nandā nāma pokkharaṇī nibbatti. Cittāpi kālaṃ katvā gantvā tattheva nibbatti, tassāpi pañcayojanasatikaṃ cittalatāvanaṃ nāma nibbatti, tattha uppannapubbanimitte devaputte netvā mohayamānā vicaranti. Sujā pana kālaṃ katvā ekissā girikandarāya ekā bakasakuṇikā hutvā nibbatti. Sakko attano paricārikā olokento ‘‘sudhammā idheva nibbattā, tathā nandā ca cittā ca, sujā nu kho kuhiṃ nibbattā’’ti cintento taṃ tattha nibbattaṃ disvā, ‘‘bālā kiñci puññaṃ akatvā idāni tiracchānayoniyaṃ nibbattā, idāni pana taṃ puññaṃ kāretvā idhānetuṃ vaṭṭatī’’ti attabhāvaṃ vijahitvā aññātakavesena tassā santikaṃ gantvā, ‘‘kiṃ karontī idha vicarasī’’ti pucchi. ‘‘Ko pana tvaṃ, sāmī’’ti? ‘‘Ahaṃ te sāmiko magho’’ti. ‘‘Kuhiṃ nibbattosi, sāmī’’ti? ‘‘Ahaṃ tāvatiṃsadevaloke nibbatto’’. ‘‘Tava sahāyikānaṃ pana nibbattaṭṭhānaṃ jānāsī’’ti? ‘‘Na jānāmi, sāmī’’ti. ‘‘Tāpi mameva santike nibbattā, passissasi tā sahāyikā’’ti. ‘‘Kathāhaṃ tattha gamissāmī’’ti? Sakko ‘‘ahaṃ taṃ tattha nessāmī’’ti vatvā hatthatale ṭhapetvā devalokaṃ netvā nandāya pokkharaṇiyā tīre vissajjetvā itarāsaṃ tissannaṃ ārocesi – ‘‘tumhākaṃ sahāyikaṃ sujaṃ passissathā’’ti. ‘‘Kuhiṃ sā, devā’’ti? ‘‘Nandāya pokkharaṇiyā tīre ṭhitā’’ti āha. Tā tissopi gantvā, ‘‘aho ayyāya evarūpaṃ attabhāvamaṇḍanassa phalaṃ, idānissā tuṇḍaṃ passatha, pāde passatha, jaṅghā passatha, sobhati vatassā attabhāvo’’ti keḷiṃ katvā pakkamiṃsu.

When Goodness died, she was also reborn there. And at the same time there came into existence Goodness, Moot-hall of the gods, nine hundred leagues in extent, than which exists no other place more charming. Here, on the eighth day of the month, is preached the Law. Unto this day, when men behold a charming place, they say, "It is like Goodness, Moot-hall of the gods." When Joy died, she also was reborn there. And at the same time there came into existence a lotus-tank called Joy, five hundred leagues in extent. When Thoughtful died, she also was reborn there. And at the same time there came into existence Thoughtful's Creeper-grove, five hundred leagues in extent. Thither they conduct the gods whose prognostics have appeared, and walk rejoicing. But when Wellborn died, she was reborn as a crane in a certain mountain-cave.

Sakka surveyed his wives and considered within himself, "Goodness has been reborn here and likewise Joy and Thoughtful. Now where has Wellborn been reborn?" Perceiving that she had been reborn as a crane in a mountain-cave, he thought to himself, "Because she wrought no work of merit, the foolish girl has been reborn as an animal. It is my duty to have her perform some work of merit and bring her here." So saying, he laid aside his proper form, and assuming a disguise, he went to her and asked, "What are you doing here?" "But, master, who are you?" "I am your husband, Magha." "Where were you reborn, husband?" "I was reborn in the Heaven of the Thirty-three. Do you know where your companions were reborn?" "No, husband, I do not." "They also were reborn in the Heaven of the Thirty-three as my wives. Should you like to see your companions?" "How can I get there?" Said Sakka, "I will carry you thither."

Placing her in the palm of his hand, he carried her to the World of the Gods and set her free on the bank of the lotus-tank named Joy. Then he said to the other three, "Should you like to see your companion Wellborn?" "Sire, where is she?" "On the bank of the lotus-tank named Joy." So the three went and looked at her. "Alas!" they cried out, "see what has been the result of the noble woman's spending her life in the adornment of self! Look now at her beak! Look at her feet! Look at her legs! She presents a beautiful appearance indeed!" Thus did they ridicule her. Having so done, they departed.