Verses on Dhamma 25.12.p17

25.12.p17

Atha naṃ ekadivasaṃ paṭijagganto viya temāsaṃ paṭijaggitvā mahāpavāraṇāya ticīvarañceva guḷatelataṇḍulādīni ca āharitvā therassa pādamūle ṭhapetvā ‘‘gaṇhatha, bhante’’ti āha. ‘‘Alaṃ, upāsaka, na me iminā attho’’ti. ‘‘Tena hi, bhante, vassāvāsikalābho nāmesa, gaṇhatha na’’nti? ‘‘Na gaṇhāmi, upāsakā’’ti. ‘‘Kimatthaṃ na gaṇhatha, bhante’’ti? ‘‘Mayhaṃ santike kappiyakārako sāmaṇeropi natthī’’ti. ‘‘Tena hi, bhante, mama putto mahāsumano sāmaṇero bhavissatī’’ti. ‘‘Na me, upāsaka, mahāsumanenattho’’ti. ‘‘Tena hi, bhante, cūḷasumanaṃ pabbājethā’’ti. Thero ‘‘sādhū’’ti sampaṭicchitvā cūḷasumanaṃ pabbājesi. So khuraggeyeva arahattaṃ pāpuṇi. Thero tena saddhiṃ aḍḍhamāsamattaṃ tattheva vasitvā ‘‘satthāraṃ passissāmī’’ti tassa ñātake āpucchitvā ākāseneva gantvā himavantapadese araññakuṭikāya otari.

At the festival of Mahā Pavāraṇā he brought treacle, oil, rice, and the like, placed them at the Elder's feet, and said to him, "Accept these, Reverend Sir." "Enough, lay disciple, I have no use for these." "Reverend Sir, this is the usual offering bestowed upon those who have kept residence; pray accept it." "Enough, lay disciple." "Why will you not accept it, Reverend Sir?" "I have no novice to attend me." "Well then, Reverend Sir, my son Mahā Sumana will be your novice." "Lay disciple, I have no use for Mahā Sumana." "Well then, Reverend Sir, admit Culla Sumana to the Order." "Very well," replied the Elder, consenting, and admitted Culla Sumana to the Order. Culla Sumana attained Arahatship at the razor's edge. The Elder tarried there with him for a fortnight and then, saying to himself, "I will go see the Teacher," took leave of his kinsfolk, proceeded through the air to the Himālaya country, and descended to the ground at Araññakuṭikā.