CūḷapanthakaCūḷapanthakattheragāthā

My progress was slow,“Dandhā mayhaṁ gatī āsi, I was despised in the past.paribhūto pure ahaṁ; Even my brother turned me away,Bhātā ca maṁ paṇāmesi, saying, “Go home now.”‘gaccha dāni tuvaṁ gharaṁ’.

Turned away at the gateSohaṁ paṇāmito santo, of the Saṅgha’s monastery,saṅghārāmassa koṭṭhake; I stood there sadly,Dummano tattha aṭṭhāsiṁ, longing for the dispensation.sāsanasmiṁ apekkhavā.

Then the Buddha cameBhagavā tattha āgacchi, and touched my head.sīsaṁ mayhaṁ parāmasi; Taking me by the arm,Bāhāya maṁ gahetvāna, he brought me into the Saṅgha’s monastery.saṅghārāmaṁ pavesayi.

The Teacher, out of sympathy,Anukampāya me satthā, gave me a foot-wiping cloth, saying:pādāsi pādapuñchaniṁ; “Focus your awareness‘Etaṁ suddhaṁ adhiṭṭhehi, exclusively on this clean cloth.”ekamantaṁ svadhiṭṭhitaṁ’.

After hearing his words,Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā, I happily did his bidding.vihāsiṁ sāsane rato; I practiced meditative immersionSamādhiṁ paṭipādesiṁ, for the attainment of the highest goal.uttamatthassa pattiyā.

I know my past lives,Pubbenivāsaṁ jānāmi, my clairvoyance is clarified;dibbacakkhu visodhitaṁ; I’ve attained the three knowledges,Tisso vijjā anuppattā, and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.

I, Panthaka, created a thousandSahassakkhattumattānaṁ, images of myself,nimminitvāna panthako; and sat in the delightful mango groveNisīdambavane ramme, until the time for the meal offering was announced.yāva kālappavedanā.

Consequently, the Teacher sent to meTato me satthā pāhesi, a messenger to announce the time.dūtaṁ kālappavedakaṁ; When the time was announced,Paveditamhi kālamhi, I flew to him through the air.vehāsādupasaṅkamiṁ.

I paid homage at the Teacher’s feet,Vanditvā satthuno pāde, and sat to one side.ekamantaṁ nisīdahaṁ; When he knew I was seated,Nisinnaṁ maṁ viditvāna, the Teacher received the offering.atha satthā paṭiggahi.

Recipient of gifts from the whole world,Āyāgo sabbalokassa, receiver of sacrifices,āhutīnaṁ paṭiggaho; field of merit for humanity,Puññakkhettaṁ manussānaṁ, he received the religious donation.paṭiggaṇhittha dakkhiṇan”ti.