Uru­veḷakas­sapa

When I saw the marvels
Of the renowned Gotama,
I didn’t immediately bow to him;
I was blinded by jealousy and conceit.
Knowing what I was thinking,
The trainer of men spurred me on;
And I was struck with a marvellous inspiration,
That gave me goose-bumps.
Rejecting my petty accomplishments
When I used to be a matted-hair ascetic,
I then went forth,
In the conqueror’s teaching.
I used to be content with sacrifice,
Giving priority to the realm of sensual pleasures,
But later I uprooted desire,
And hatred and also delusion.
I know my past life;
My divine eye is clarified;
I have psychic powers, and I know the minds of others;
I have realised the divine ear.
I’ve attained the goal
For the sake of which I went forth
From home life into homelessness—
The ending of all fetters.