Commentary on Biography of the thera Gandhodakiya

Stanzas starting with Padumuttara Buddhassa constitute the biography of the venerable thera Gandhodakiya. This one also having done devoted service toward former excellent sages, accumulating meritorious deeds conducive towards escape from rounds of rebirth 9vaṭṭa) in this and that existence, was reborn in a family house, at the time of the Glorious One Padumuttara; when the Glorious One passed away into parinibbāna, he saw the residents of the city making offering to the bodhi tree, filled up in variegate jars with sweet-scented water, a mixture of sandal wood, camphor (kappura), agaru and so on and sprinkled the bodhi tree. At that moment the rain poured down a heavy shower. Then, he died with the speed of lightning. On account of that self-same meritorious act he was reborn in the divine world. Having stationed himself there ven, he recited stanzas starting with "Aho Buddho, Aho dhammo! (Wonderful is Buddha, wonderful is dhamma!) and so on. Having thus enjoyed prosperity among divine and human beings, he, being clearly free from all-round heat, was happy wherever he was reborn since he kept himself near cool condition, and was reborn in a family house when this Buddha arose; on having attained the age of intelligence, he came to possess clear faith in the Master, became a monk, started to strive over mental exercise (kammaṭṭhāna) developed clear insight (vipassanā) and very soon attained arahatship. He was well-known as the thera Gandhodakiya due to the meritorious deed done formerly.

25. On having recollected his own former deed, one day, he became pleasure-minded and uttered a stanza starting with Padumattarassa in order to make manifest the deed done by him formerly. The meaning of it has but been aforesaid. mahābodhimaho ahu (there was the festival of the big bodhi) there was reverential offering made to mahā-bodhi; thus, is the meaning. Vicittam ghatamādāya (taking the variegated jar) having taken a jar, filled with sweet-scented water, which was gracefully shining, since it was variegated with many a variety of workmanship worked with gold; thus, is the meaning. Gandhodakamadāsaham (I offered sweet scented water), I specially sprinkled with perfumed water; thus, is the meaning.

26. Nhānakāle ea bodhiyā (when the bodhi was bathed also) at the time of making reverential offering to the bodhi tree; thus, is the meaning. There is but clear in meaning.

The commentary on the biography of the thera Gandhodakiya has ended.