Verses on Dhamma 7.9.98_4

7.9.98_4

Aparena samayena bhikkhū kathaṃ samuṭṭhāpesuṃ – ‘‘āvuso, kena nu kho kāraṇena āyasmā sīvalitthero sattadivasasattamāsādhikāni satta vassāni mātu kucchiyaṃ vasi, kena niraye pacci, kena nissandena lābhaggayasaggappatto jāto’’ti? Satthā taṃ kathaṃ sutvā, ‘‘bhikkhave, kiṃ kathethā’’ti pucchitvā, ‘‘bhante, idaṃ nāmā’’ti vutte tassāyasmato pubbakammaṃ kathento āha –

At another time the monks began a discussion. "Brethren, why was it that the Elder Sīvali remained for seven days and seven months and seven years in his mother's womb? Why was it that he was tormented in Hell? How did he come to reach the pinnacle of gain and honor?" The Teacher heard the discussion, asked them what it was about, and when they told him, related the story of the Venerable Elder's deed in a former existence.