Swans upon the sun’s path fly,
the powerful through space,
conquering Mara and his host
away from the world the wise are led.
Explanation: The swans fly away in the sky – as the path of the sun. Those possessing psychic power travel through the sky. Those diligent, wise saint conquer death with his armies and leave the world and reach Nibbana.
The Story of Thirty Monks (Verse 175)
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to a group of monks.
For one day thirty monks residing in foreign parts came to visit the Buddha. Venerable Ananda saw those monks just as he was approaching the Buddha to wait upon him. So he thought to himself, I will wait until the Buddha has exchanged friendly greetings with these monks, and then I will wait upon the Buddha. Accordingly he waited at the gate. When the Buddha had exchanged friendly greetings with them, he preached the Dhamma to them in a pleasing manner. After listening to the Dhamma all those monks attained arahatship. Thereupon they soared aloft and departed through the air.
When they tarried, Venerable Ananda approached the Buddha and said, “Venerable, thirty monks came here. Where are they?” “Gone, Ananda.” “By what path did they go, venerable?” “Through the air, Ananda.” “But have they already rid themselves of the depravities?” “Yes, Ananda. After hearing me preach the Dhamma, they attained arahatship.” Now at that moment some swans came flying through the air. Said the Buddha, “Ananda, he who has fully developed the four grades of magical power, flies through the air like a swan.”