PSALMS OF THE BRETHREN

Canto II.
Psalms of Two Verses

CLIII
Upavāna

Translated from the Pali by Mrs. C.A.F. Rhys Davids.

Public Domain

[Pali]

 

Reborn in this Buddha-age at Sāvatthī, in a brahmin's family, he was named Upavāna. He saw at the Jeta Grove presentation the majesty of the Buddha, and entering the Order, practised for insight, and won sixfold abhinna.

Now Upavāna. became attendant on the Exalted One.^[1] And at that time the Exalted One was attacked by cramp. And Devahita, a brahmin lay-friend of the Thera, living at Sāvatthī, was supplying him with the four necessaries. Seeing him come with bowl and robe, Devahita discerned that he needed something different and said: 'Let your reverence be supplied. What do you need?' And Upavāna. answered:

[185] The Arahant, the Well-Come of all men,
The Holy Sage, he suffereth sore with wind.
If there be any water heated here,
O give it to me, brahmin, for the Sage.

[186] Revered by them to whom we reverence owe,
Cherished by them who claim our pious care,
Honoured by them to whom honour is due,
For Him I do beseech it may be brought.

Thereat the brahmin offered both hot water and suitable medicine. Thereby the Master's sickness was healed, and to him the Exalted One rendered thanks.

 

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^[1] See CCLX. On the ailment cf. Milinda i., 194, n. 4.