The Victor, Padumuttara,
the Sage, Knower of Every World,
the One who had Five Eyes, arose
a hundred thousand aeons hence.The Admonisher, Instructor,
Crosser-Over of all that breathe,
Skilled at Preaching, he, the Buddha,
caused many folks to cross the flood.Merciful, Compassionate One,
Well-Wisher of all that breathe, he
established in the five precepts
all the rivals who had arrived.In this way he was Unconfused
and Very Well-Known by rivals,
Ornamented by arahants
who were masters and neutral ones.The body of the Sage So Great
rose up fifty-eight cubits tall;
he was Valuable Like Gold,
Bearing the Thirty-Two Great Marks.People’s lifespan at that time was
fully one hundred thousand years.
Remaining in the world so long,
he ferried many folks across.I then lived in Haṁsavatī,
brahmin master of the mantras.
Approaching the Excellent Man,
I heard the preaching of Dhamma,the Great Hero, the World-Leader,
Confident among Multitudes,
appointing a monk with quick wit,
in that quality’s foremost place.After doing deeds at that time
for the Leader and Assembly,
having bowed my head at his feet,
I aspired to attain that place.With his lovely voice conveying
away all defilements and stains,
he as Shiny as Gold Ingots,
the Blessed One then said to me,
“May you be happy and long-lived;
your intention is accomplished.
Hugely fruitful for you will be
this deed done for the monks and me.In one hundred thousand aeons,
arising in Okkāka’s clan,
the one whose name is Gotama
will be the Teacher in the world.Worthy heir to that one’s Dhamma,
Dhamma’s legitimate offspring,
the one given the name Rādha
will be the Teacher’s follower.”Glad by reason of your virtue,
the Śākyas’ Son, the Bull of Men,
the Leader’s going to appoint you
foremost of those who have quick wit.”After hearing that I was thrilled,
and then for as long as I lived,
mindful, loving-hearted and wise,
I waited on him, the Victor.Due to that karma done very well,
with intention and firm resolve,
discarding my human body,
I went to Tāvatiṁsa then.Three hundred times the lord of gods,
I exercised divine rule there,
and then five hundred times I was
a king who turns the wheel of law.There was also much local rule,
innumerable by counting.
Through the power of that karma,
I was happy in every place.When my last rebirth was attained,
I was born in a brahmin clan,
poor, and wanting for clothes and food,
in Rajgir, ultimate city.I gave a ladle’s worth of food
to Sāriputta, neutral one,
when I was old and decrepit,
and I came to his hermitage.Nobody was ordaining me,
being old and of failing strength;
due to that, old and discolored,
I was sorrowful at that time.Having seen me, Great Compassion,
the Sage So Great said this to me:
“What meaning has this sorrow, son?
Tell me of your mental anguish.”“I’m not getting ordained, Hero,
in your well-preached dispensation;
thus I’m miserable with grief;
be my refuge, O Leader.”Then calling the monks together,
the Seventh Sage questioned them thus:
“Let them speak, those who remember
the service of this one for us.”Sāriputta spoke at that time:
“I remember his deed for us.
He gave a ladleful of food
to me then wandering for alms.”Excellent, Excellent, grateful
Sāriputta! Now you ordain
this man, an elderly brahmin;
he’s going to be a thoroughbred.Then I got to go forth and got
ordained with proper ritual.
In a short time I then attained
destruction of the defilements.Thrilled and mindful, I’m listening
carefully to the Sage’s words.
Then the Victor placed me in the
foremost place of those with quick wit.My defilements are now burnt up;
all new existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint.Being in Best Buddha’s presence
was a very good thing for me.
The three knowledges are attained;
I have done what the Buddha taught!The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught!
Thus indeed Venerable Rādha Thera spoke these verses.
The legend of Rādha Thera is finished.