“Then again when I was “Punāparaṁ yadā homi, in Indapatta, the capital city, indapatthe puruttame; I was a loved and cherished child Kāmito dayito putto, renowned as Somanassa. somanassoti vissuto.

I was ethical, full of good qualities, Sīlavā guṇasampanno, of fine and eloquent speech, kalyāṇapaṭibhānavā; honoring elders, conscientious, Vuḍḍhāpacāyī hirīmā, and expert in the methods of inclusiveness. saṅgahesu ca kovido.

Now there was this charlatan renunciant Tassa rañño patikaro, who was favored by the king. ahosi kuhakatāpaso; He made a living by cultivating Ārāmaṁ mālāvacchañca, an orchard and flowering shrubs. ropayitvāna jīvati.

Seeing he was a charlatan, Tamahaṁ disvāna kuhakaṁ, like a pile of chaff without grain, thusarāsiṁva ataṇḍulaṁ; like a hollow tree, Dumaṁva anto susiraṁ, like a plantain tree with no core, I thought: kadaliṁva asārakaṁ.

‘There is no good in him, Natthimassa sataṁ dhammo, he has strayed from asceticism. sāmaññāpagato ayaṁ; He has left the bright qualities of conscience Hirīsukkadhammajahito, for the sake of making a living.’ jīvitavuttikāraṇā.

Then the borders were in turmoil Kupito ahu paccanto, by wild frontier savages. aṭavīhi parantihi; Before going to put an end to it, Taṁ nisedhetuṁ gacchanto, my father instructed me: anusāsi pitā mamaṁ.

‘My dear, do not neglect ‘Mā pamajji tuvaṁ tāta, the matted-hair ascetic of severe penance. jaṭilaṁ uggatāpanaṁ; He is the granter of our wishes, Yadicchakaṁ pavattehi, give him all he desires.’ sabbakāmadado hi so’.

I went then to serve him, Tamahaṁ gantvānupaṭṭhānaṁ, and said the following. Idaṁ vacanamabraviṁ; ‘I hope you are well, householder. ‘Kacci te gahapati kusalaṁ, Is there anything I can bring for you?’ Kiṁ vā te āharīyatu’.

At that he was upset with me, Tena so kupito āsi, that prideful charlatan. kuhako mānanissito; ‘I’ll have you killed right now! ‘Ghātāpemi tuvaṁ ajja, Or banished from the realm!’ raṭṭhā pabbājayāmi vā’.

After putting an end to the border conflict, Nisedhayitvā paccantaṁ, the king said to the charlatan, rājā kuhakamabravi; ‘I hope you’re keeping well, sir, ‘Kacci te bhante khamanīyaṁ, and honors were served you?’ sammāno te pavattito’.

That wicked one told him Tassa ācikkhatī pāpo, how the prince deserved execution. kumāro yathā nāsiyo; When he heard these words, Tassa taṁ vacanaṁ sutvā, the Lord of the Earth commanded: āṇāpesi mahīpati.

‘Cut off his head right there! ‘Sīsaṁ tattheva chinditvā, Saw his corpse into four pieces! katvāna catukhaṇḍikaṁ; And then show them from street to street: Rathiyā rathiyaṁ dassetha, this is the fate of one who shames the ascetic.’ sā gati jaṭilahīḷitā’.

Rightaway left the punishers—Tattha kāraṇikā gantvā, fierce, violent and pitiless. caṇḍā luddā akāruṇā; They dragged me from my mother’s lap Mātu aṅke nisinnassa, and led me away. ākaḍḍhitvā nayanti maṁ.

I said to them Tesāhaṁ evamavacaṁ, as they bound me with tight bonds: bandhataṁ gāḷhabandhanaṁ; ‘Present me to the king right now, ‘Rañño dassetha maṁ khippaṁ, I have an issue for the king!’ rājakiriyāni atthi me’.

They presented me to the king, Te maṁ rañño dassayiṁsu, follower of the wicked one and his wicked ways. pāpassa pāpasevino; On seeing me, I persuaded him Disvāna taṁ saññāpesiṁ, and brought him under my influence. mamañca vasamānayiṁ.

He asked for my forgiveness then, So maṁ tattha khamāpesi, and offered me the kingdom. mahārajjamadāsi me; But having burst the darkness asunder, Sohaṁ tamaṁ dālayitvā, I went forth to homelessness. pabbajiṁ anagāriyaṁ.

I did not dislike great kingship, Na me dessaṁ mahārajjaṁ, nor did I dislike sensual enjoyment. kāmabhogo na dessiyo; But because omniscience is precious to me, Sabbaññutaṁ piyaṁ mayhaṁ, that is why I forsook kingship.” tasmā rajjaṁ pariccajin”ti.

Somanassacariyaṁ dutiyaṁ.