17a: Buddha’s Journey to Kapilavatthu – 579
in their new leaves, bearing flowers and fruits. Neither too cold nor too hot, it is
a good time for travelling, it is time now for the Buddha to visit his royal
relatives and give them his blessings.” Having thought thus, he approached the
Buddha and addressed him with the following 64 verses, supplicating him to
make a visit to the royal city of Kapilavatthu.
1. Aṅgārino dāni dumā Bhadante,
phalesino chadanaṁ vippahāya,
te accimanto va pabhāsayanti,
samayo Mahā-vīra Aṅgīrasānaṁ.
Lord and great benefactor, winter has gone and spring has set in, all the
trees have shed their decayed leaves and as if to acquire fresh fruits, have
sprouted tender leaves and flower buds of glowing ember-red. Stimulated
by the changing weather, these colourful trees are shining bright.
Lord of mighty diligence, Great Hero, of the lineage of Aṅgīrasa, the time
is opportune to pay a visit to Kapilavatthu, the city of your birth.
2. Dumā vicittā suvirājamānā,
rattaṅkureheva ca pallavehi,
ratanujjala-maṇḍapa-sannibhāsā,
samayo Mahā-vīra Aṅgīrasānaṁ.
Lord and great benefactor, all the trees, wearing their coral-red sprouts
and tender emerald-green leaves, are wondrously and delightfully
beautiful, resembling pavilions shining with jewel-like brilliancy.
Lord of mighty diligence, Great Hero, of the lineage of Aṅgīrasa, the time
is opportune to pay a visit to Kapilavatthu, the city of your birth.
3. Supupphitaggā kusumehi bhūsitā,
manuñña-bhūtā suci-sādhu-gandhā,
rukkhā virocanti ubhosu passesu,
samayo Mahā-vīra Aṅgīrasānaṁ.
[442]
Lord and great benefactor, on either side of the roadway, all kinds of
trees and seasonal plants are crowded with blossoms to the very top.
Adorned with flowers in full bloom, every tree stands lovely; the clear air
is filled with fragrant odour and the environs are amazingly beautiful to
behold.
Lord of mighty diligence, Great Hero, of the lineage of Aṅgīrasa, the time
is opportune to pay a visit to Kapilavatthu, the city of your birth.