- 0.1Dīgha Nikāya 19Long Discourses 19
0.2MahāgovindasuttaThe Great Steward
1.1PTS 2.220Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.1.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati gijjhakūṭe pabbate.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain.
1.3Atha kho pañcasikho gandhabbaputto abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇo kevalakappaṁ gijjhakūṭaṁ pabbataṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho pañcasikho gandhabbaputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:Then, late at night, the centaur Pañcasikha, lighting up the entire Vulture’s Peak, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him,11.4“yaṁ kho me, bhante, devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ sammukhā sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ, ārocemi taṁ bhagavato”ti.“Sir, I would tell you of what I heard and learned directly from the gods of the thirty-three.”
1.5“Ārocehi me tvaṁ, pañcasikhā”ti bhagavā avoca.“Tell me, Pañcasikha,” said the Buddha.
2.01. Devasabhā1. The Council of the Gods
2.1PTS 2.221“Purimāni, bhante, divasāni purimatarāni tadahuposathe pannarase pavāraṇāya puṇṇāya puṇṇamāya rattiyā kevalakappā ca devā tāvatiṁsā sudhammāyaṁ sabhāyaṁ sannisinnā honti sannipatitā;“Sir, it was more than a few days ago—on the fifteenth day sabbath on the full moon day at the invitation to admonish held at the end of the rainy season—when all the gods of the thirty-three were sitting together in the Hall of Clear Right.22.2mahatī ca dibbaparisā samantato nisinnā honti, cattāro ca mahārājāno catuddisā nisinnā honti;A large assembly of gods was sitting all around, and the four great kings were seated at the four quarters.
2.3puratthimāya disāya dhataraṭṭho mahārājā pacchimābhimukho nisinno hoti deve purakkhatvā;The Great King Dhataraṭṭha was seated to the east, facing west, in front of his gods.2.4dakkhiṇāya disāya virūḷhako mahārājā uttarābhimukho nisinno hoti deve purakkhatvā;The Great King Virūḷhaka was seated to the south, facing north, in front of his gods.2.5pacchimāya disāya virūpakkho mahārājā puratthābhimukho nisinno hoti deve purakkhatvā;The Great King Virūpakkha was seated to the west, facing east, in front of his gods.2.6uttarāya disāya vessavaṇo mahārājā dakkhiṇābhimukho nisinno hoti deve purakkhatvā.The Great King Vessavaṇa was seated to the north, facing south, in front of his gods.
2.7Yadā, bhante, kevalakappā ca devā tāvatiṁsā sudhammāyaṁ sabhāyaṁ sannisinnā honti sannipatitā, mahatī ca dibbaparisā samantato nisinnā honti, cattāro ca mahārājāno catuddisā nisinnā honti, idaṁ nesaṁ hoti āsanasmiṁ;When the gods of the thirty-three have a gathering like this, that is how they are seated.2.8atha pacchā amhākaṁ āsanaṁ hoti.After that come our seats.
3.1Ye te, bhante, devā bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ caritvā adhunūpapannā tāvatiṁsakāyaṁ, te aññe deve atirocanti vaṇṇena ceva yasasā ca.Sir, those gods who had been recently reborn in the company of the thirty-three after leading the spiritual life under the Buddha outshine the other gods in beauty and glory.3.2Tena sudaṁ, bhante, devā tāvatiṁsā attamanā honti pamuditā pītisomanassajātā;The gods of the thirty-three became uplifted and overjoyed at that, full of rapture and happiness, saying,3.3‘dibbā vata bho kāyā paripūrenti, hāyanti asurakāyā’ti.‘The heavenly hosts swell, while the titan hosts dwindle!’
3.4Atha kho, bhante, sakko devānamindo devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ sampasādaṁ viditvā imāhi gāthāhi anumodi:Seeing the joy of those gods, Sakka, lord of gods, celebrated with these verses:
3.5‘Modanti vata bho devā,‘The gods rejoice—3.6tāvatiṁsā sahindakā;the thirty-three with their Lord—3.7Tathāgataṁ namassantā,revering the Realized One,3.8dhammassa ca sudhammataṁ.and the clear rightness of the teaching;
3.9Nave deve ca passantā,and seeing the new gods,3.10vaṇṇavante yasassine;so beautiful and glorious,3.11Sugatasmiṁ brahmacariyaṁ,who have come here after leading3.12caritvāna idhāgate.the spiritual life under the Buddha!
3.13Te aññe atirocanti,They outshine the others3.14vaṇṇena yasasāyunā;in beauty, glory, and lifespan.3.15Sāvakā bhūripaññassa,Here are the distinguished disciples3.16visesūpagatā idha.of he whose wisdom is vast.
3.17Idaṁ disvāna nandanti,Seeing this, they delight—3.18tāvatiṁsā sahindakā;the thirty-three with their Lord—3.19Tathāgataṁ namassantā,revering the Realized One,3.20dhammassa ca sudhammatan’ti.and the clear rightness of the teaching!’
3.21PTS 2.222Tena sudaṁ, bhante, devā tāvatiṁsā bhiyyoso mattāya attamanā honti pamuditā pītisomanassajātā;The gods of the thirty-three became even more uplifted and overjoyed at that, full of rapture and happiness, saying,3.22‘dibbā vata bho, kāyā paripūrenti, hāyanti asurakāyā’ti.‘The heavenly hosts swell, while the titan hosts dwindle!’
4.02. Aṭṭhayathābhuccavaṇṇa2. Eight Genuine Praises
4.1Atha kho, bhante, sakko devānamindo devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ sampasādaṁ viditvā deve tāvatiṁse āmantesi:Seeing the joy of those gods, Sakka, lord of gods, addressed them,4.2‘iccheyyātha no tumhe, mārisā, tassa bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe sotun’ti?‘Gentlemen, would you like to hear eight genuine praises of the Buddha?’3
4.3‘Icchāma mayaṁ, mārisa, tassa bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe sotun’ti.‘Indeed we would, sir.’
4.4Atha kho, bhante, sakko devānamindo devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe payirudāhāsi:Then Sakka proffered these eight genuine praises of the Buddha:4
5.1‘Taṁ kiṁ maññanti, bhonto devā tāvatiṁsā?‘What do the good gods of the thirty-three think?55.2Yāvañca so bhagavā bahujanahitāya paṭipanno bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ.How the Buddha has acted for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans!5.3Evaṁ bahujanahitāya paṭipannaṁ bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who has such sympathy for the world, apart from the Buddha.
6.1Svākkhāto kho pana tena bhagavatā dhammo sandiṭṭhiko akāliko ehipassiko opaneyyiko paccattaṁ veditabbo viññūhi.Also, the Buddha has explained the teaching well—apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves.6.2Evaṁ opaneyyikassa dhammassa desetāraṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who explains such a relevant teaching, apart from the Buddha.
7.1PTS 2.223“Idaṁ kusalan”ti kho pana tena bhagavatā supaññattaṁ, “idaṁ akusalan”ti supaññattaṁ.Also, the Buddha has well described what is skillful and what is unskillful,67.2“Idaṁ sāvajjaṁ idaṁ anavajjaṁ, idaṁ sevitabbaṁ idaṁ na sevitabbaṁ, idaṁ hīnaṁ idaṁ paṇītaṁ, idaṁ kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgan”ti supaññattaṁ.what is blameworthy and what is blameless, what should be cultivated and what should not be cultivated, what is inferior and what is superior, and what has a portion of dark or bright.7.3Evaṁ kusalākusalasāvajjānavajjasevitabbāsevitabbahīnapaṇītakaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgānaṁ dhammānaṁ paññāpetāraṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who so clearly describes all these things, apart from the Buddha.
8.1Supaññattā kho pana tena bhagavatā sāvakānaṁ nibbānagāminī paṭipadā, saṁsandati nibbānañca paṭipadā ca.Also, the Buddha has well described the practice that leads to extinguishment for his disciples. And extinguishment converges with the practice,78.2Seyyathāpi nāma gaṅgodakaṁ yamunodakena saṁsandati sameti;as the waters of the Ganges join together and converge with the waters of the Yamunā.88.3evameva supaññattā tena bhagavatā sāvakānaṁ nibbānagāminī paṭipadā, saṁsandati nibbānañca paṭipadā ca.8.4Evaṁ nibbānagāminiyā paṭipadāya paññāpetāraṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who so clearly describes the practice that leads to extinguishment for his disciples, apart from the Buddha.
9.1PTS 2.224Abhinipphanno kho pana tassa bhagavato lābho abhinipphanno siloko, yāva maññe khattiyā sampiyāyamānarūpā viharanti, vigatamado kho pana so bhagavā āhāraṁ āhāreti.Also, possessions and popularity have accrued to the Buddha, so much that you’d think it would thrill even the aristocrats. But he takes his food free of vanity.99.2Evaṁ vigatamadaṁ āhāraṁ āharayamānaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who takes their food so free of vanity, apart from the Buddha.
10.1Laddhasahāyo kho pana so bhagavā sekhānañceva paṭipannānaṁ khīṇāsavānañca vusitavataṁ.Also, the Buddha has gained companions, both trainees who are practicing, and those with defilements ended who have completed their journey.1010.2Te bhagavā apanujja ekārāmataṁ anuyutto viharati.The Buddha is committed to the joy of solitude, but doesn’t send them away.1110.3Evaṁ ekārāmataṁ anuyuttaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, so committed to the joy of solitude, apart from the Buddha.
11.1Yathāvādī kho pana so bhagavā tathākārī, yathākārī tathāvādī, iti yathāvādī tathākārī, yathākārī tathāvādī.Also, the Buddha does as he says, and says as he does, thus: he does as he says, and says as he does.1211.2Evaṁ dhammānudhammappaṭipannaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who so practices in line with the teaching, apart from the Buddha.
12.1Tiṇṇavicikiccho kho pana so bhagavā vigatakathaṅkatho pariyositasaṅkappo ajjhāsayaṁ ādibrahmacariyaṁ.Also, the Buddha has gone beyond doubt and got rid of indecision. He has achieved all he wished for regarding the fundamental goal of the spiritual life.1312.2Evaṁ tiṇṇavicikicchaṁ vigatakathaṅkathaṁ pariyositasaṅkappaṁ ajjhāsayaṁ ādibrahmacariyaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā’ti.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who has achieved these things, apart from the Buddha.’
12.3Ime kho, bhante, sakko devānamindo devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe payirudāhāsi.These are the eight genuine praises of the Buddha proffered by Sakka.12.4Tena sudaṁ, bhante, devā tāvatiṁsā bhiyyoso mattāya attamanā honti pamuditā pītisomanassajātā bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe sutvā.Hearing them, the gods of the thirty-three became even more uplifted and overjoyed.
13.1Tatra, bhante, ekacce devā evamāhaṁsu:Then some gods thought,13.2‘aho vata, mārisā, cattāro sammāsambuddhā loke uppajjeyyuṁ dhammañca deseyyuṁ yathariva bhagavā.‘If only four fully awakened Buddhas might arise in the world and teach the Dhamma, just like the Blessed One!13.3Tadassa bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānan’ti.That would be for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans!’
13.4Ekacce devā evamāhaṁsu:Other gods thought,13.5‘tiṭṭhantu, mārisā, cattāro sammāsambuddhā, aho vata, mārisā, tayo sammāsambuddhā loke uppajjeyyuṁ dhammañca deseyyuṁ yathariva bhagavā.‘Let alone four fully awakened Buddhas; if only three fully awakened Buddhas,13.6Tadassa bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānan’ti.13.7Ekacce devā evamāhaṁsu:13.8‘tiṭṭhantu, mārisā, tayo sammāsambuddhā, aho vata, mārisā, dve sammāsambuddhā loke uppajjeyyuṁ dhammañca deseyyuṁ yathariva bhagavā.or two fully awakened Buddhas might arise in the world and teach the Dhamma, just like the Blessed One!13.9Tadassa bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānan’ti.That would be for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans!’
14.1PTS 2.225Evaṁ vutte, bhante, sakko devānamindo deve tāvatiṁse etadavoca:When they said this, Sakka said,14.2‘aṭṭhānaṁ kho etaṁ, mārisā, anavakāso, yaṁ ekissā lokadhātuyā dve arahanto sammāsambuddhā apubbaṁ acarimaṁ uppajjeyyuṁ, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.‘It is impossible, gentlemen, for two perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas to arise in the same solar system at the same time.1414.3Aho vata, mārisā, so bhagavā appābādho appātaṅko ciraṁ dīghamaddhānaṁ tiṭṭheyya.May that Blessed One be healthy and well, and remain with us for a long time!1514.4Tadassa bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānan’ti.That would be for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans!’
14.5Atha kho, bhante, yenatthena devā tāvatiṁsā sudhammāyaṁ sabhāyaṁ sannisinnā honti sannipatitā, taṁ atthaṁ cintayitvā taṁ atthaṁ mantayitvā vuttavacanāpi taṁ cattāro mahārājāno tasmiṁ atthe honti.Then the gods of the thirty-three, having considered and deliberated on the matter for which they were seated together in the Hall of Clear Right, advised and instructed the four great kings on the subject.14.6Paccānusiṭṭhavacanāpi taṁ cattāro mahārājāno tasmiṁ atthe honti, sakesu sakesu āsanesu ṭhitā avipakkantā.Each one, having been advised, stood at his own seat without leaving.
14.7Te vuttavākyā rājāno,The Kings were instructed,14.8paṭiggayhānusāsaniṁ;and heeded good advice.14.9Vippasannamanā santā,With clear and peaceful minds,14.10aṭṭhaṁsu samhi āsaneti.they stood by their own seats.
15.1Atha kho, bhante, uttarāya disāya uḷāro āloko sañjāyi, obhāso pāturahosi atikkammeva devānaṁ devānubhāvaṁ.Then in the northern quarter a magnificent light arose and radiance appeared, surpassing the glory of the gods.15.2Atha kho, bhante, sakko devānamindo deve tāvatiṁse āmantesi:Then Sakka, lord of gods, addressed the gods of the thirty-three,15.3‘yathā kho, mārisā, nimittāni dissanti, uḷāro āloko sañjāyati, obhāso pātubhavati, brahmā pātubhavissati;‘As indicated by the signs—light arising and radiance appearing—the Divinity will appear. For this is the harbinger for the appearance of the Divinity, namely light arising and radiance appearing.’15.4brahmuno hetaṁ pubbanimittaṁ pātubhāvāya, yadidaṁ āloko sañjāyati obhāso pātubhavatīti.
15.5Yathā nimittā dissanti,As indicated by the signs,15.6brahmā pātubhavissati;the Divinity will appear.15.7Brahmuno hetaṁ nimittaṁ,For this is the sign of the Divinity:15.8obhāso vipulo mahā’ti.a light vast and great.
16.03. Sanaṅkumārakathā3. On Sanaṅkumāra
16.1PTS 2.226Atha kho, bhante, devā tāvatiṁsā yathāsakesu āsanesu nisīdiṁsu:Then the gods of the thirty-three sat in their own seats, saying,16.2‘obhāsametaṁ ñassāma, yaṁvipāko bhavissati, sacchikatvāva naṁ gamissāmā’ti.‘We shall find out what has caused that light, and only when we have realized it shall we go to it.’16.3Cattāropi mahārājāno yathāsakesu āsanesu nisīdiṁsu:And the four great kings did likewise.16.4‘obhāsametaṁ ñassāma, yaṁvipāko bhavissati, sacchikatvāva naṁ gamissāmā’ti.16.5Idaṁ sutvā devā tāvatiṁsā ekaggā samāpajjiṁsu:Hearing that, the gods of the thirty-three agreed in unison,16.6‘obhāsametaṁ ñassāma, yaṁvipāko bhavissati, sacchikatvāva naṁ gamissāmā’ti.‘We shall find out what has caused that light, and only when we have realized it shall we go to it.’
16.7PTS 2.227Yadā, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ pātubhavati, oḷārikaṁ attabhāvaṁ abhinimminitvā pātubhavati.When the divinity Sanaṅkumāra appears to the gods of the thirty-three, he does so after manifesting in a solid life-form.16.8Yo kho pana, bhante, brahmuno pakativaṇṇo, anabhisambhavanīyo so devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ cakkhupathasmiṁ.For a Divinity’s normal appearance is imperceptible in the visual range of the gods of the thirty-three.16.9Yadā, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ pātubhavati, so aññe deve atirocati vaṇṇena ceva yasasā ca.When the divinity Sanaṅkumāra appears to the gods of the thirty-three, he outshines the other gods in beauty and glory,16.10Seyyathāpi, bhante, so vaṇṇo viggaho mānusaṁ viggahaṁ atirocati;as a golden statue outshines the human form.16.11evameva kho, bhante, yadā brahmā sanaṅkumāro devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ pātubhavati, so aññe deve atirocati vaṇṇena ceva yasasā ca.16.12Yadā, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ pātubhavati, na tassaṁ parisāyaṁ koci devo abhivādeti vā paccuṭṭheti vā āsanena vā nimanteti.When the divinity Sanaṅkumāra appears to the gods of the thirty-three, not a single god in that assembly greets him by bowing down or rising up or inviting him to a seat.16.13Sabbeva tuṇhībhūtā pañjalikā pallaṅkena nisīdanti:They all sit silently on their couches with their cupped palms raised, thinking,16.14‘yassadāni devassa pallaṅkaṁ icchissati brahmā sanaṅkumāro, tassa devassa pallaṅke nisīdissatī’ti.‘Now the divinity Sanaṅkumāra will sit on the couch of whatever god he chooses.’16.15Yassa kho pana, bhante, devassa brahmā sanaṅkumāro pallaṅke nisīdati, uḷāraṁ so labhati devo vedapaṭilābhaṁ, uḷāraṁ so labhati devo somanassapaṭilābhaṁ.And the god on whose couch the Divinity sits is overjoyed and brimming with happiness,17.1Seyyathāpi, bhante, rājā khattiyo muddhāvasitto adhunābhisitto rajjena, uḷāraṁ so labhati vedapaṭilābhaṁ, uḷāraṁ so labhati somanassapaṭilābhaṁ;like a king on the day of his coronation.17.2evameva kho, bhante, yassa devassa brahmā sanaṅkumāro pallaṅke nisīdati, uḷāraṁ so labhati devo vedapaṭilābhaṁ, uḷāraṁ so labhati devo somanassapaṭilābhaṁ.
17.3Atha, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ sampasādaṁ viditvā antarahito imāhi gāthāhi anumodi:Seeing the joy of those gods, the divinity Sanaṅkumāra celebrated with these verses:
17.4‘Modanti vata bho devā,‘The gods rejoice—17.5tāvatiṁsā sahindakā;the thirty-three with their Lord—17.6Tathāgataṁ namassantā,revering the Realized One,17.7dhammassa ca sudhammataṁ.and the clear rightness of the teaching;
17.8Nave deve ca passantā,and seeing the new gods,17.9vaṇṇavante yasassine;so beautiful and glorious,17.10Sugatasmiṁ brahmacariyaṁ,who have come here after leading17.11caritvāna idhāgate.the spiritual life under the Buddha!
17.12Te aññe atirocanti,They outshine the others17.13vaṇṇena yasasāyunā;in beauty, glory, and lifespan.17.14Sāvakā bhūripaññassa,Here are the distinguished disciples17.15visesūpagatā idha.of he whose wisdom is vast.
17.16Idaṁ disvāna nandanti,Seeing this, they delight—17.17tāvatiṁsā sahindakā;the thirty-three with their Lord—17.18Tathāgataṁ namassantā,revering the Realized One,17.19dhammassa ca sudhammatan’ti.and the clear rightness of the teaching!’
18.1PTS 2.228Imamatthaṁ, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro abhāsittha.That is the topic on which the divinity Sanaṅkumāra spoke.18.2Imamatthaṁ, bhante, brahmuno sanaṅkumārassa bhāsato aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgato saro hoti vissaṭṭho ca viññeyyo ca mañju ca savanīyo ca bindu ca avisārī ca gambhīro ca ninnādī ca.And while he was speaking on that topic, his voice had eight qualities: it was clear, comprehensible, charming, audible, lucid, undistorted, deep, and resonant.18.3Yathāparisaṁ kho pana, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro sarena viññāpeti, na cassa bahiddhā parisāya ghoso niccharati.He makes sure his voice is intelligible as far as the assembly goes, but the sound doesn’t extend outside the assembly.18.4Yassa kho pana, bhante, evaṁ aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgato saro hoti, so vuccati ‘brahmassaro’ti.When someone has a voice like this, they’re said to have the voice of the Divinity.
19.1Atha kho, bhante, devā tāvatiṁsā brahmānaṁ sanaṅkumāraṁ etadavocuṁ:Then the gods of the thirty-three said to the divinity Sanaṅkumāra,19.2‘sādhu, mahābrahme, etadeva mayaṁ saṅkhāya modāma;‘Good, Great Divinity! Having appraised this, we rejoice.1619.3atthi ca sakkena devānamindena tassa bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhuccā vaṇṇā bhāsitā;And there are the eight genuine praises of the Buddha spoken by Sakka—19.4te ca mayaṁ saṅkhāya modāmā’ti.having appraised them, too, we rejoice.’
19.5.04. Aṭṭhayathābhuccavaṇṇa4. Eight Genuine Praises
19.6Atha, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro sakkaṁ devānamindaṁ etadavoca:Then the Divinity said to Sakka,19.7‘sādhu, devānaminda, mayampi tassa bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe suṇeyyāmā’ti.‘It would be good, lord of gods, if I could also hear the eight genuine praises of the Buddha.’
19.8‘Evaṁ, mahābrahme’ti kho, bhante, sakko devānamindo brahmuno sanaṅkumārassa bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe payirudāhāsi.Saying, ‘Yes, Great Divinity,’ Sakka repeated the eight genuine praises for him.
20.1‘Taṁ kiṁ maññati, bhavaṁ mahābrahmā?20.2Yāvañca so bhagavā bahujanahitāya paṭipanno bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ.20.3Evaṁ bahujanahitāya paṭipannaṁ bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.
21.1Svākkhāto kho pana tena bhagavatā dhammo sandiṭṭhiko akāliko ehipassiko opaneyyiko paccattaṁ veditabbo viññūhi.21.2Evaṁ opaneyyikassa dhammassa desetāraṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.
22.1PTS 2.229“Idaṁ kusalan”ti kho pana tena bhagavatā supaññattaṁ, “idaṁ akusalan”ti supaññattaṁ, “idaṁ sāvajjaṁ idaṁ anavajjaṁ, idaṁ sevitabbaṁ idaṁ na sevitabbaṁ, idaṁ hīnaṁ idaṁ paṇītaṁ, idaṁ kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgan”ti supaññattaṁ.22.2Evaṁ kusalākusalasāvajjānavajjasevitabbāsevitabbahīnapaṇītakaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgānaṁ dhammānaṁ paññāpetāraṁ.22.3Imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.
23.1Supaññattā kho pana tena bhagavatā sāvakānaṁ nibbānagāminī paṭipadā saṁsandati nibbānañca paṭipadā ca.23.2Seyyathāpi nāma gaṅgodakaṁ yamunodakena saṁsandati sameti;23.3evameva supaññattā tena bhagavatā sāvakānaṁ nibbānagāminī paṭipadā saṁsandati nibbānañca paṭipadā ca.23.4Evaṁ nibbānagāminiyā paṭipadāya paññāpetāraṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.
24.1Abhinipphanno kho pana tassa bhagavato lābho abhinipphanno siloko, yāva maññe khattiyā sampiyāyamānarūpā viharanti.24.2Vigatamado kho pana so bhagavā āhāraṁ āhāreti.24.3Evaṁ vigatamadaṁ āhāraṁ āharayamānaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.
25.1Laddhasahāyo kho pana so bhagavā sekhānañceva paṭipannānaṁ khīṇāsavānañca vusitavataṁ, te bhagavā apanujja ekārāmataṁ anuyutto viharati.25.2Evaṁ ekārāmataṁ anuyuttaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.
26.1Yathāvādī kho pana so bhagavā tathākārī, yathākārī tathāvādī;26.2iti yathāvādī tathākārī, yathākārī tathāvādī.26.3Evaṁ dhammānudhammappaṭippannaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.
27.1PTS 2.230Tiṇṇavicikiccho kho pana so bhagavā vigatakathaṅkatho pariyositasaṅkappo ajjhāsayaṁ ādibrahmacariyaṁ.27.2Evaṁ tiṇṇavicikicchaṁ vigatakathaṅkathaṁ pariyositasaṅkappaṁ ajjhāsayaṁ ādibrahmacariyaṁ.27.3Imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā’ti.
28.1Ime kho, bhante, sakko devānamindo brahmuno sanaṅkumārassa bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe payirudāhāsi.28.2Tena sudaṁ, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro attamano hoti pamudito pītisomanassajāto bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe sutvā.Hearing them, the divinity Sanaṅkumāra was uplifted and overjoyed, full of rapture and happiness.28.3Atha, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro oḷārikaṁ attabhāvaṁ abhinimminitvā kumāravaṇṇī hutvā pañcasikho devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ pāturahosi.Then the divinity Sanaṅkumāra manifested in a solid life-form, taking on the appearance of the youth Pañcasikha, and appeared to the gods of the thirty-three.28.4So vehāsaṁ abbhuggantvā ākāse antalikkhe pallaṅkena nisīdi.Rising into the air, he sat cross-legged in the sky,28.5Seyyathāpi, bhante, balavā puriso supaccatthate vā pallaṅke same vā bhūmibhāge pallaṅkena nisīdeyya;like a strong man might sit cross-legged on a well-appointed couch or on level ground.28.6evameva kho, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro vehāsaṁ abbhuggantvā ākāse antalikkhe pallaṅkena nisīditvā deve tāvatiṁse āmantesi:There he addressed the gods of the thirty-three:
28.7.05. Govindabrāhmaṇavatthu5. The Story of the Steward
28.8‘Taṁ kiṁ maññanti, bhonto devā tāvatiṁsā, yāva dīgharattaṁ mahāpaññova so bhagavā ahosi.‘What do the gods of the thirty-three think about the extent of the Buddha’s great wisdom?
29.1PTS 2.231Bhūtapubbaṁ, bho, rājā disampati nāma ahosi.Once upon a time, there was a king named Disampati.1729.2Disampatissa rañño govindo nāma brāhmaṇo purohito ahosi.He had a brahmin high priest named the Steward.1829.3Disampatissa rañño reṇu nāma kumāro putto ahosi.Disampati’s son was the prince named Reṇu,1929.4Govindassa brāhmaṇassa jotipālo nāma māṇavo putto ahosi.while the Steward’s son was the student named Jotipāla.2029.5Iti reṇu ca rājaputto jotipālo ca māṇavo aññe ca cha khattiyā iccete aṭṭha sahāyā ahesuṁ.There were Reṇu the prince, Jotipāla the student, and six other aristocrats; these eight became friends.
29.6Atha kho, bho, ahorattānaṁ accayena govindo brāhmaṇo kālamakāsi.In due course the brahmin Steward passed away.29.7Govinde brāhmaṇe kālaṅkate rājā disampati paridevesi:At his passing, King Disampati lamented,29.8“yasmiṁ vata, bho, mayaṁ samaye govinde brāhmaṇe sabbakiccāni sammā vossajjitvā pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappitā samaṅgībhūtā paricārema, tasmiṁ no samaye govindo brāhmaṇo kālaṅkato”ti.“At a time when I have relinquished all my duties to the brahmin Steward and amuse myself, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation, he passes away!”21
29.9Evaṁ vutte, bho, reṇu rājaputto rājānaṁ disampatiṁ etadavoca:When he said this, Prince Reṇu said to him,29.10“mā kho tvaṁ, deva, govinde brāhmaṇe kālaṅkate atibāḷhaṁ paridevesi.“Your Majesty, don’t lament too much at the Steward’s passing.29.11Atthi, deva, govindassa brāhmaṇassa jotipālo nāma māṇavo putto paṇḍitataro ceva pitarā, alamatthadasataro ceva pitarā;He has a son named Jotipāla, who is even more astute and expert than his father.29.12yepissa pitā atthe anusāsi, tepi jotipālasseva māṇavassa anusāsaniyā”ti.He should manage the affairs that were managed by his father.”
29.13“Evaṁ, kumārā”ti?“Is that so, my prince?”
29.14“Evaṁ, devā”ti.“That is so, Your Majesty.”
30.06. Mahāgovindavatthu6. The Story of the Great Steward
30.1PTS 2.232Atha kho, bho, rājā disampati aññataraṁ purisaṁ āmantesi:So King Disampati addressed one of his men,30.2“ehi tvaṁ, ambho purisa, yena jotipālo māṇavo tenupasaṅkama; upasaṅkamitvā jotipālaṁ māṇavaṁ evaṁ vadehi:“Please, my man, go to the student Jotipāla, and say to him,30.3‘bhavamatthu bhavantaṁ jotipālaṁ, rājā disampati bhavantaṁ jotipālaṁ māṇavaṁ āmantayati, rājā disampati bhoto jotipālassa māṇavassa dassanakāmo’”ti.‘Best wishes, Jotipāla! You are summoned by King Disampati; he wants to see you.’”
30.4“Evaṁ, devā”ti kho, bho, so puriso disampatissa rañño paṭissutvā yena jotipālo māṇavo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā jotipālaṁ māṇavaṁ etadavoca:“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied that man, and did as he was asked.30.5“bhavamatthu bhavantaṁ jotipālaṁ, rājā disampati bhavantaṁ jotipālaṁ māṇavaṁ āmantayati, rājā disampati bhoto jotipālassa māṇavassa dassanakāmo”ti.30.6“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho, bho, jotipālo māṇavo tassa purisassa paṭissutvā yena rājā disampati tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā disampatinā raññā saddhiṁ sammodi;Then Jotipāla went to the king and exchanged greetings with him.
30.7sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho, bho, jotipālaṁ māṇavaṁ rājā disampati etadavoca:When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and the king said to him,30.8“anusāsatu no bhavaṁ jotipālo, mā no bhavaṁ jotipālo anusāsaniyā paccabyāhāsi.“May you, Jotipāla, manage my affairs—please don’t turn me down!30.9Pettike taṁ ṭhāne ṭhapessāmi, govindiye abhisiñcissāmī”ti.I shall appoint you to your father’s position, and anoint you as Steward.”22
30.10“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho, bho, so jotipālo māṇavo disampatissa rañño paccassosi.“Yes, worthy sir,” replied Jotipāla.
31.1Atha kho, bho, rājā disampati jotipālaṁ māṇavaṁ govindiye abhisiñci, taṁ pettike ṭhāne ṭhapesi.So the king anointed him as Steward and appointed him to his father’s position.31.2Abhisitto jotipālo māṇavo govindiye pettike ṭhāne ṭhapito yepissa pitā atthe anusāsi tepi atthe anusāsati, yepissa pitā atthe nānusāsi tepi atthe anusāsati;After his appointment, the Steward Jotipāla managed both the affairs that his father had managed, and other affairs that his father had not managed.2331.3yepissa pitā kammante abhisambhosi tepi kammante abhisambhoti, yepissa pitā kammante nābhisambhosi tepi kammante abhisambhoti.He organized both the works that his father had organized, and other works that his father had not organized.31.4Tamenaṁ manussā evamāhaṁsu:When people noticed this they said,31.5“govindo vata, bho, brāhmaṇo, mahāgovindo vata, bho, brāhmaṇo”ti.“The brahmin is indeed a Steward, a Great Steward!”31.6Iminā kho evaṁ, bho, pariyāyena jotipālassa māṇavassa govindo mahāgovindotveva samaññā udapādi.And that’s how the student Jotipāla came to be known as the Great Steward.
32.06.1. Rajjasaṁvibhajana6.1. Dividing the Realm
32.1PTS 2.233Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena te cha khattiyā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te cha khattiye etadavoca:Then the Great Steward went to the six aristocrats and said,32.2“disampati kho, bho, rājā jiṇṇo vuddho mahallako addhagato vayoanuppatto, ko nu kho pana, bho, jānāti jīvitaṁ?“King Disampati is old, elderly and senior, advanced in years, and has reached the final stage of life. Who knows how long he has to live?32.3Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ vijjati, yaṁ disampatimhi raññe kālaṅkate rājakattāro reṇuṁ rājaputtaṁ rajje abhisiñceyyuṁ.It’s likely that when he passes away the king-makers will anoint Prince Reṇu as king.32.4Āyantu, bhonto, yena reṇu rājaputto tenupasaṅkamatha; upasaṅkamitvā reṇuṁ rājaputtaṁ evaṁ vadetha:Come, sirs, go to Prince Reṇu and say,32.5‘mayaṁ kho bhoto reṇussa sahāyā piyā manāpā appaṭikūlā, yaṁsukho bhavaṁ taṁsukhā mayaṁ, yaṁdukkho bhavaṁ taṁdukkhā mayaṁ.‘Prince Reṇu, we are your friends, dear, beloved, and cherished. We have shared your joys and sorrows.32.6Disampati kho, bho, rājā jiṇṇo vuddho mahallako addhagato vayoanuppatto, ko nu kho pana, bho, jānāti jīvitaṁ?King Disampati is old, elderly and senior, advanced in years, and has reached the final stage of life. Who knows how long he has to live?32.7Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ vijjati, yaṁ disampatimhi raññe kālaṅkate rājakattāro bhavantaṁ reṇuṁ rajje abhisiñceyyuṁ.It’s likely that when he passes away the king-makers will anoint you as king.32.8Sace bhavaṁ reṇu rajjaṁ labhetha, saṁvibhajetha no rajjenā’”ti.If you should gain kingship, share it with us.’”
33.1“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho, bho, te cha khattiyā mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa paṭissutvā yena reṇu rājaputto tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā reṇuṁ rājaputtaṁ etadavocuṁ:“Yes, worthy sir,” replied the six aristocrats. They went to Prince Reṇu and put the proposal to him.33.2“mayaṁ kho bhoto reṇussa sahāyā piyā manāpā appaṭikūlā;33.3yaṁsukho bhavaṁ taṁsukhā mayaṁ, yaṁdukkho bhavaṁ taṁdukkhā mayaṁ.33.4Disampati kho, bho, rājā jiṇṇo vuddho mahallako addhagato vayoanuppatto, ko nu kho pana bho jānāti jīvitaṁ?33.5Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ vijjati, yaṁ disampatimhi raññe kālaṅkate rājakattāro bhavantaṁ reṇuṁ rajje abhisiñceyyuṁ.33.6Sace bhavaṁ reṇu rajjaṁ labhetha, saṁvibhajetha no rajjenā”ti.
33.7“Ko nu kho, bho, añño mama vijite sukho bhavetha, aññatra bhavantebhi?The prince replied, “Who else, sirs, in my realm ought to prosper if not you?2433.8Sacāhaṁ, bho, rajjaṁ labhissāmi, saṁvibhajissāmi vo rajjenā”ti.If I gain kingship, I will share it with you all.”
34.1PTS 2.234Atha kho, bho, ahorattānaṁ accayena rājā disampati kālamakāsi.In due course King Disampati passed away.34.2Disampatimhi raññe kālaṅkate rājakattāro reṇuṁ rājaputtaṁ rajje abhisiñciṁsu.At his passing, the king-makers anointed Prince Reṇu as king.34.3Abhisitto reṇu rajjena pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāreti.But after being anointed, King Reṇu amused himself, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation.
34.4Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena te cha khattiyā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te cha khattiye etadavoca:Then the Great Steward went to the six aristocrats and said,34.5“disampati kho, bho, rājā kālaṅkato.“King Disampati has passed away.34.6Abhisitto reṇu rajjena pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāreti.But after being anointed, King Reṇu amused himself, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation.34.7Ko nu kho pana, bho, jānāti, madanīyā kāmā?Who knows the intoxicating power of sensual pleasures?34.8Āyantu, bhonto, yena reṇu rājā tenupasaṅkamatha; upasaṅkamitvā reṇuṁ rājānaṁ evaṁ vadetha:Come, sirs, go to King Reṇu and say,34.9‘disampati kho, bho, rājā kālaṅkato, abhisitto bhavaṁ reṇu rajjena, sarati bhavaṁ taṁ vacanan’”ti?‘Worthy sir, King Disampati has passed away, and you have been anointed as king. Do you remember what you said?’”
34.10“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho, bho, te cha khattiyā mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa paṭissutvā yena reṇu rājā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā reṇuṁ rājānaṁ etadavocuṁ:“Yes, worthy sir,” replied the six aristocrats. They went to King Reṇu and said,34.11“disampati kho, bho, rājā kālaṅkato, abhisitto bhavaṁ reṇu rajjena, sarati bhavaṁ taṁ vacanan”ti?“Worthy sir, King Disampati has passed away, and you have been anointed as king. Do you remember what you said?”
34.12“Sarāmahaṁ, bho, taṁ vacanaṁ.“I remember, sirs.34.13Ko nu kho, bho, pahoti imaṁ mahāpathaviṁ uttarena āyataṁ dakkhiṇena sakaṭamukhaṁ sattadhā samaṁ suvibhattaṁ vibhajitun”ti?Who is able to neatly divide into seven equal parts this great land, so broad in the north and narrow as the front of a cart in the south?”25
34.14“Ko nu kho, bho, añño pahoti, aññatra mahāgovindena brāhmaṇenā”ti?“Who else, sir, if not the Great Steward?”
35.1Atha kho, bho, reṇu rājā aññataraṁ purisaṁ āmantesi:So King Reṇu addressed one of his men,35.2“ehi tvaṁ, ambho purisa, yena mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo tenupasaṅkama; upasaṅkamitvā mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ evaṁ vadehi:“Please, my man, go to the brahmin Great Steward and say that35.3‘rājā taṁ, bhante, reṇu āmantetī’”ti.King Reṇu summons him.”
35.4PTS 2.235“Evaṁ, devā”ti kho, bho, so puriso reṇussa rañño paṭissutvā yena mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ etadavoca:“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied that man, and did as he was asked.35.5“rājā taṁ, bhante, reṇu āmantetī”ti.35.6“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo tassa purisassa paṭissutvā yena reṇu rājā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā reṇunā raññā saddhiṁ sammodi.Then the Great Steward went to the king and exchanged greetings with him.
35.7Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho, bho, mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ reṇu rājā etadavoca:When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and the king said to him,35.8“etu, bhavaṁ govindo imaṁ mahāpathaviṁ uttarena āyataṁ dakkhiṇena sakaṭamukhaṁ sattadhā samaṁ suvibhattaṁ vibhajatū”ti.“Come, let the good Steward neatly divide into seven equal parts this great land, so broad in the north and narrow as the front of a cart in the south.”
35.9“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho bho mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo reṇussa rañño paṭissutvā imaṁ mahāpathaviṁ uttarena āyataṁ dakkhiṇena sakaṭamukhaṁ sattadhā samaṁ suvibhattaṁ vibhaji.“Yes, worthy sir,” replied the Great Steward, and did as he was asked.36.1Sabbāni sakaṭamukhāni paṭṭhapesi.All were arranged like the fronts of carts,2636.2Tatra sudaṁ majjhe reṇussa rañño janapado hoti.and right in the middle was King Reṇu’s nation.27
36.3Dantapuraṁ kaliṅgānaṁ,Dantapura for the Kaliṅgas;2836.4assakānañca potanaṁ;Potana for the Assakas;2936.5Mahesayaṁ avantīnaṁ,Māhissatī for the Avantis;3036.6sovīrānañca rorukaṁ.Roruka for the Sovīras;31
36.7Mithilā ca videhānaṁ,Mithilā for the Videhas;3236.8campā aṅgesu māpitā;Campā was laid out for the Aṅgas;3336.9Bārāṇasī ca kāsīnaṁ,and Varanasi for the Kāsis:3436.10ete govindamāpitāti.these were laid out by the Steward.
36.11PTS 2.236Atha kho, bho, te cha khattiyā yathāsakena lābhena attamanā ahesuṁ paripuṇṇasaṅkappā:Then those six aristocrats were delighted with their respective gains, having achieved all they wished for,36.12“yaṁ vata no ahosi icchitaṁ, yaṁ ākaṅkhitaṁ, yaṁ adhippetaṁ, yaṁ abhipatthitaṁ, taṁ no laddhan”ti.“We have received exactly what we wanted, what we wished for, what we desired, what we yearned for.”
36.13Sattabhū brahmadatto ca,Sattabhū and Brahmadatta,3536.14vessabhū bharato saha;Vessabhū and Bharata,3636.15Reṇu dve dhataraṭṭhā ca,Reṇu and the two Dhataraṭṭhas:36.16tadāsuṁ satta bhāradhāti.these were the seven Bhāratas.37
36.17Paṭhamabhāṇavāro niṭṭhito.The first recitation section is complete.
37.06.2. Kittisaddaabbhuggamana6.2. A Good Reputation
37.1Atha kho, bho, te cha khattiyā yena mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ etadavocuṁ:Then the six aristocrats approached the Great Steward and said,37.2“yathā kho bhavaṁ govindo reṇussa rañño sahāyo piyo manāpo appaṭikūlo.“Steward, just as you are King Reṇu’s friend, dear, beloved, and cherished,37.3Evameva kho bhavaṁ govindo amhākampi sahāyo piyo manāpo appaṭikūlo, anusāsatu no bhavaṁ govindo;you are also our friend.37.4mā no bhavaṁ govindo anusāsaniyā paccabyāhāsī”ti.Would you manage our affairs? Please don’t turn us down!”
37.5“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo tesaṁ channaṁ khattiyānaṁ paccassosi.“Yes, worthy sirs,” replied the Great Steward.37.6Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo satta ca rājāno khattiye muddhāvasitte rajje anusāsi, satta ca brāhmaṇamahāsāle satta ca nhātakasatāni mante vācesi.Then the Great Steward managed the realms of the seven kings. And he taught seven well-to-do brahmins, and seven hundred bathed initiates to recite the hymns.
38.1PTS 2.237Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa aparena samayena evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggacchi:After some time he got this good reputation,38.2“sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmānaṁ passati, sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmunā sākaccheti sallapati mantetī”ti.“The Great Steward sees the Divinity in person! The Great Steward discusses, converses, and consults with the Divinity in person!”38
38.3Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa etadahosi:The Great Steward thought,38.4“mayhaṁ kho evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:“I have the reputation38.5‘sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmānaṁ passati, sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmunā sākaccheti sallapati mantetī’ti.of seeing the Divinity in person, and discussing with him in person.38.6Na kho panāhaṁ brahmānaṁ passāmi, na brahmunā sākacchemi, na brahmunā sallapāmi, na brahmunā mantemi.But I don’t.38.7Sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ vuddhānaṁ mahallakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ:I have heard that brahmins of the past who were elderly and senior, the tutors of tutors, said:38.8‘yo vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyati, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyati, so brahmānaṁ passati brahmunā sākaccheti brahmunā sallapati brahmunā mantetī’ti.‘Whoever goes on retreat for the four months of the rainy season and practices the absorption on compassion sees the Divinity and discusses with him.’3938.9Yannūnāhaṁ vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyeyyaṁ, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyeyyan”ti.Why don’t I do that?”
39.1Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena reṇu rājā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā reṇuṁ rājānaṁ etadavoca:So the Great Steward went to King Reṇu and told him of the situation, saying,39.2“mayhaṁ kho, bho, evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:39.3‘sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmānaṁ passati, sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmunā sākaccheti sallapati mantetī’ti.39.4Na kho panāhaṁ, bho, brahmānaṁ passāmi, na brahmunā sākacchemi, na brahmunā sallapāmi, na brahmunā mantemi.39.5Sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ vuddhānaṁ mahallakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ:39.6‘yo vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyati, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyati, so brahmānaṁ passati, brahmunā sākaccheti brahmunā sallapati brahmunā mantetī’ti.39.7Icchāmahaṁ, bho, vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyituṁ, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyituṁ;“Sir, I wish to go on retreat for the four months of the rainy season and practice the absorption on compassion.39.8namhi kenaci upasaṅkamitabbo aññatra ekena bhattābhihārenā”ti.No one should approach me, except the one who serves my meal.”
39.9“Yassadāni bhavaṁ govindo kālaṁ maññatī”ti.“Please do so, Steward, at your convenience.”
40.1PTS 2.238Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena te cha khattiyā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te cha khattiye etadavoca:Then the Great Steward went to the six aristocrats to put the same proposal, and received the same reply.40.2“mayhaṁ kho, bho, evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:40.3‘sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmānaṁ passati, sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmunā sākaccheti sallapati mantetī’ti.40.4Na kho panāhaṁ, bho, brahmānaṁ passāmi, na brahmunā sākacchemi, na brahmunā sallapāmi, na brahmunā mantemi.40.5Sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ vuddhānaṁ mahallakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ,40.6‘yo vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyati, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyati, so brahmānaṁ passati brahmunā sākaccheti brahmunā sallapati brahmunā mantetī’ti.40.7Icchāmahaṁ, bho, vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyituṁ, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyituṁ;40.8namhi kenaci upasaṅkamitabbo aññatra ekena bhattābhihārenā”ti.40.9“Yassadāni bhavaṁ govindo kālaṁ maññatī”ti.
41.1Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena te satta ca brāhmaṇamahāsālā satta ca nhātakasatāni tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te satta ca brāhmaṇamahāsāle satta ca nhātakasatāni etadavoca:He also went to the seven well-to-do brahmins and seven hundred bathed initiates and put to them the same proposal, adding,41.2“mayhaṁ kho, bho, evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:41.3‘sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmānaṁ passati, sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmunā sākaccheti sallapati mantetī’ti.41.4Na kho panāhaṁ, bho, brahmānaṁ passāmi, na brahmunā sākacchemi, na brahmunā sallapāmi, na brahmunā mantemi.41.5Sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ vuddhānaṁ mahallakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ:41.6‘yo vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyati, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyati, so brahmānaṁ passati, brahmunā sākaccheti, brahmunā sallapati, brahmunā mantetī’ti.41.7Tena hi, bho, yathāsute yathāpariyatte mante vitthārena sajjhāyaṁ karotha, aññamaññañca mante vācetha;“Sirs, rehearse the hymns in detail as you have learned and memorized them, and teach each other how to recite.”41.8icchāmahaṁ, bho, vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyituṁ, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyituṁ;
41.9namhi kenaci upasaṅkamitabbo aññatra ekena bhattābhihārenā”ti.And they too said,41.10“Yassadāni bhavaṁ govindo kālaṁ maññatī”ti.“Please do so, Steward, at your convenience.”
42.1PTS 2.239Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena cattārīsā bhariyā sādisiyo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā cattārīsā bhariyā sādisiyo etadavoca:Then the Great Steward went to his forty equal wives to put the same proposal to them, and received the same reply.42.2“mayhaṁ kho, bhotī, evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:42.3‘sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmānaṁ passati, sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmunā sākaccheti sallapati mantetī’ti.42.4Na kho panāhaṁ, bhotī, brahmānaṁ passāmi, na brahmunā sākacchemi, na brahmunā sallapāmi, na brahmunā mantemi.42.5Sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ vuddhānaṁ mahallakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ42.6‘yo vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyati, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyati, so brahmānaṁ passati, brahmunā sākaccheti, brahmunā sallapati, brahmunā mantetī’ti,42.7icchāmahaṁ, bhotī, vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyituṁ, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyituṁ;42.8namhi kenaci upasaṅkamitabbo aññatra ekena bhattābhihārenā”ti.42.9“Yassadāni bhavaṁ govindo kālaṁ maññatī”ti.
43.1Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo puratthimena nagarassa navaṁ sandhāgāraṁ kārāpetvā vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyi, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyi;Then the Great Steward had a new ceremonial hall built to the east of his citadel, where he went on retreat for the four months of the rainy season and practiced the absorption on compassion.4043.2nāssudha koci upasaṅkamati aññatra ekena bhattābhihārena.And no one approached him except the one who served his meals.
43.3Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa catunnaṁ māsānaṁ accayena ahudeva ukkaṇṭhanā ahu paritassanā:But then, when the four months had passed, the Great Steward became dissatisfied and anxious,43.4“sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ vuddhānaṁ mahallakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ:“I have heard that brahmins of the past said that43.5‘yo vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyati, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyati, so brahmānaṁ passati, brahmunā sākaccheti brahmunā sallapati brahmunā mantetī’ti.whoever goes on retreat for the four months of the rainy season and practices the absorption on compassion sees the Divinity and discusses with him.43.6Na kho panāhaṁ brahmānaṁ passāmi, na brahmunā sākacchemi na brahmunā sallapāmi na brahmunā mantemī”ti.But I neither see the Divinity nor discuss with him.”
44.06.3. Brahmunāsākacchā6.3. A Discussion With the Divinity
44.1PTS 2.240Atha kho, bho, brahmā sanaṅkumāro mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—brahmaloke antarahito mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa sammukhe pāturahosi.And then the divinity Sanaṅkumāra, knowing the Great Steward’s train of thought, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, vanished from the realm of divinity and reappeared in the Great Steward’s presence.44.2Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa ahudeva bhayaṁ ahu chambhitattaṁ ahu lomahaṁso yathā taṁ adiṭṭhapubbaṁ rūpaṁ disvā.At that, the Great Steward became frightened, scared, his hair standing on end, as he had never seen such a sight before.44.3Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo bhīto saṁviggo lomahaṭṭhajāto brahmānaṁ sanaṅkumāraṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:So he addressed the divinity Sanaṅkumāra in verse:
44.4“Vaṇṇavā yasavā sirimā,“Who might you be, sir,44.5ko nu tvamasi mārisa;so beautiful, glorious, majestic?44.6Ajānantā taṁ pucchāma,Not knowing, I ask—44.7kathaṁ jānemu taṁ mayan”ti.how am I to know who you are?”
44.8“Maṁ ve kumāraṁ jānanti,“In the realm of divinity they know me44.9brahmaloke sanantanaṁ;as ‘The Eternal Youth’.44.10Sabbe jānanti maṁ devā,All the gods know me thus,44.11evaṁ govinda jānahi”.and so you should know me, Steward.”
44.12“Āsanaṁ udakaṁ pajjaṁ,“A Divinity deserves a seat and water,44.13madhusākañca brahmuno;foot-salve, and sweet cakes.44.14Agghe bhavantaṁ pucchāma,Sir, I ask you to please accept44.15agghaṁ kurutu no bhavaṁ”.these gifts of hospitality.”
44.16“Paṭiggaṇhāma te agghaṁ,“I accept the gifts of hospitality44.17yaṁ tvaṁ govinda bhāsasi;of which you speak.44.18Diṭṭhadhammahitatthāya,I grant you the opportunity44.19samparāya sukhāya ca;to ask whatever you desire—44.20Katāvakāso pucchassu,about welfare and benefit in this life,44.21yaṁ kiñci abhipatthitan”ti.or happiness in lives to come.”
45.1PTS 2.241Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa etadahosi:Then the Great Steward thought,45.2“katāvakāso khomhi brahmunā sanaṅkumārena.“the divinity Sanaṅkumāra has granted me an opportunity.45.3Kiṁ nu kho ahaṁ brahmānaṁ sanaṅkumāraṁ puccheyyaṁ diṭṭhadhammikaṁ vā atthaṁ samparāyikaṁ vā”ti?Should I ask him about what is beneficial for this life or lives to come?”
45.4Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa etadahosi:Then he thought,45.5“kusalo kho ahaṁ diṭṭhadhammikānaṁ atthānaṁ, aññepi maṁ diṭṭhadhammikaṁ atthaṁ pucchanti.“I’m skilled in what is beneficial for this life, and others even ask me about it.45.6Yannūnāhaṁ brahmānaṁ sanaṅkumāraṁ samparāyikaññeva atthaṁ puccheyyan”ti.Why don’t I ask the Divinity about the benefit that specifically applies to lives to come?”45.7Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmānaṁ sanaṅkumāraṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:So he addressed the divinity Sanaṅkumāra in verse:
45.8“Pucchāmi brahmānaṁ sanaṅkumāraṁ,“I’m in doubt, so I ask the Divinity—<j>who is free of doubt—45.9Kaṅkhī akaṅkhiṁ paravediyesu;about things one may learn from another.45.10Katthaṭṭhito kimhi ca sikkhamāno,Standing on what, training in what45.11Pappoti macco amataṁ brahmalokan”ti.may a mortal reach the deathless realm of divinity?”41
45.12“Hitvā mamattaṁ manujesu brahme,“He among mankind, O brahmin, <j>has given up possessiveness,4245.13Ekodibhūto karuṇedhimutto;at one, compassionate,45.14Nirāmagandho virato methunasmā,free of putrefaction, and refraining from sex.45.15Etthaṭṭhito ettha ca sikkhamāno;Standing on that, training in that45.16Pappoti macco amataṁ brahmalokan”ti.a mortal may reach the deathless realm of divinity.”
46.1“‘Hitvā mamattan’ti ahaṁ, bhoto, ājānāmi.“Sir, I understand what ‘giving up possessiveness’ means.4346.2Idhekacco appaṁ vā bhogakkhandhaṁ pahāya mahantaṁ vā bhogakkhandhaṁ pahāya appaṁ vā ñātiparivaṭṭaṁ pahāya mahantaṁ vā ñātiparivaṭṭaṁ pahāya kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajati,It’s when someone gives up a large or small fortune, and a large or small family circle. They shave off hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness.46.3iti ‘hitvā mamattan’ti ahaṁ, bhoto, ājānāmi.That’s how I understand ‘giving up possessiveness’.
46.4PTS 2.242‘Ekodibhūto’ti ahaṁ, bhoto, ājānāmi.Sir, I understand what ‘at one’ means.4446.5Idhekacco vivittaṁ senāsanaṁ bhajati araññaṁ rukkhamūlaṁ pabbataṁ kandaraṁ giriguhaṁ susānaṁ vanapatthaṁ abbhokāsaṁ palālapuñjaṁ,It’s when someone frequents a secluded lodging—a wilderness, the root of a tree, a hill, a ravine, a mountain cave, a charnel ground, a forest, the open air, a heap of straw.46.6iti ‘ekodibhūto’ti ahaṁ, bhoto, ājānāmi.That’s how I understand ‘at one’.
46.7‘Karuṇedhimutto’ti ahaṁ, bhoto, ājānāmi.Sir, I understand what ‘compassionate’ means.46.8Idhekacco karuṇāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā viharati, tathā dutiyaṁ, tathā tatiyaṁ, tathā catutthaṁ. Iti uddhamadhotiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ karuṇāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjena pharitvā viharati.It’s when someone meditates spreading a heart full of compassion to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, they spread a heart full of compassion to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.46.9Iti ‘karuṇedhimutto’ti ahaṁ, bhoto, ājānāmi.That’s how I understand ‘compassionate’.
46.10Āmagandhe ca kho ahaṁ, bhoto, bhāsamānassa na ājānāmi.But I don’t understand what you say about putrefaction.45
46.11Ke āmagandhā manujesu brahme,What among mankind, O the Divinity, is putrefaction?46.12Ete avidvā idha brūhi dhīra;I don’t understand, so tell me, attentive one:46.13Kenāvaṭā vāti pajā kurutu,wrapped in what do people stink,46.14Āpāyikā nivutabrahmalokā”ti.headed for hell, shut out of the realm of divinity?”
46.15PTS 2.243“Kodho mosavajjaṁ nikati ca dubbho,“Anger, lies, cheating, and treachery,46.16Kadariyatā atimāno usūyā;miserliness, vanity, jealousy,46.17Icchā vivicchā paraheṭhanā ca,desire, stinginess, harassing others,4646.18Lobho ca doso ca mado ca moho;greed, hate, vanity, and delusion—46.19Etesu yuttā anirāmagandhā,those bound to such things <j>are not devoid of putrefaction;46.20Āpāyikā nivutabrahmalokā”ti.they’re headed for hell, <j>shut out of the realm of divinity.”
46.21“Yathā kho ahaṁ, bhoto, āmagandhe bhāsamānassa ājānāmi. Te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā.“As I understand what you say about putrefaction, it’s not easy to quell while living at home.4746.22Pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti.I shall go forth from the lay life to homelessness!”
46.23“Yassadāni bhavaṁ govindo kālaṁ maññatī”ti.“Please do so, Steward, at your convenience.”
47.06.4. Reṇurājaāmantanā6.4. Informing King Reṇu
47.1Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena reṇu rājā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā reṇuṁ rājānaṁ etadavoca:So the Great Steward went to King Reṇu and said,47.2“aññaṁ dāni bhavaṁ purohitaṁ pariyesatu, yo bhoto rajjaṁ anusāsissati.“Worthy sir, please now find another high priest to manage the affairs of state for you.47.3Icchāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ.I wish to go forth from the lay life to homelessness.47.4Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā.As I understand what the Divinity says about putrefaction, it’s not easy to quell while living at home.47.5Pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti.I shall go forth from the lay life to homelessness.
47.6“Āmantayāmi rājānaṁ,I announce to King Reṇu,47.7reṇuṁ bhūmipatiṁ ahaṁ;the lord of the land:47.8Tvaṁ pajānassu rajjena,you must learn how to rule,47.9nāhaṁ porohicce rame”.for I no longer care for my ministry.”
47.10“Sace te ūnaṁ kāmehi,“If you’re lacking any pleasures,47.11ahaṁ paripūrayāmi te;I’ll supply them for you.47.12Yo taṁ hiṁsati vāremi,I’ll protect you from any harm,47.13bhūmisenāpati ahaṁ;for I command the nation’s army.47.14Tuvaṁ pitā ahaṁ putto,You are my father, I am your son!4847.15mā no govinda pājahi”.O Steward, please don’t leave!”
47.16“Namatthi ūnaṁ kāmehi,“I’m lacking no pleasures,47.17hiṁsitā me na vijjati;and no one is harming me.47.18Amanussavaco sutvā,I’ve heard a non-human voice,47.19tasmāhaṁ na gahe rame”.so I no longer care for lay life.”
47.20PTS 2.244“Amanusso kathaṁvaṇṇo,“What was that non-human like?47.21kiṁ te atthaṁ abhāsatha;What did he say to you,47.22Yañca sutvā jahāsi no,hearing which you would abandon47.23gehe amhe ca kevalī”.our house and all our people?”
47.24“Upavutthassa me pubbe,“Before entering this retreat,47.25yiṭṭhukāmassa me sato;I only liked to sacrifice.47.26Aggi pajjalito āsi,I kindled the sacred flame,47.27kusapattaparitthato.strewn about with kusa grass.
47.28Tato me brahmā pāturahu,But then the Divinity the Eternal Youth47.29brahmalokā sanantano;appeared to me from the realm of divinity.47.30So me pañhaṁ viyākāsi,He answered my question,47.31taṁ sutvā na gahe rame”.hearing which I no longer care for lay life.”
47.32“Saddahāmi ahaṁ bhoto,“I have faith, O Steward,47.33yaṁ tvaṁ govinda bhāsasi;in that of which you speak.47.34Amanussavaco sutvā,Having heard a non-human voice,47.35kathaṁ vattetha aññathā.what else could you do?
47.36Te taṁ anuvattissāma,We will follow your example,47.37satthā govinda no bhavaṁ;Steward, be my Teacher!47.38Maṇi yathā veḷuriyo,Like a gem of beryl—47.39akāco vimalo subho;flawless, immaculate, beautiful—47.40Evaṁ suddhā carissāma,that’s how pure we shall live,47.41govindassānusāsaneti.in the Steward’s dispensation.
47.42Sace bhavaṁ govindo agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissati, mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma.If the Steward is going forth from the lay life to homelessness, we shall do so too. Your destiny shall be ours.”47.43Atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti.
48.06.5. Chakhattiyaāmantanā6.5. Informing the Six Aristocrats
48.1PTS 2.245Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena te cha khattiyā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te cha khattiye etadavoca:Then the Great Steward went to the six aristocrats and said,48.2“aññaṁ dāni bhavanto purohitaṁ pariyesantu, yo bhavantānaṁ rajje anusāsissati.“Good fellows, please now find another high priest to manage the affairs of state for you.48.3Icchāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ.I wish to go forth from the lay life to homelessness.48.4Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā.As I understand what the Divinity says about putrefaction, it’s not easy to quell while living at home.48.5Pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti.I shall go forth from the lay life to homelessness!”
49.1Atha kho, bho, te cha khattiyā ekamantaṁ apakkamma evaṁ samacintesuṁ:Then the six aristocrats withdrew to one side and thought up a plan,49.2“ime kho brāhmaṇā nāma dhanaluddhā;“These brahmins are greedy for wealth.49.3yannūna mayaṁ mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ dhanena sikkheyyāmā”ti.Why don’t we bestow him with wealth?”49
49.4Te mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu:They returned to the Great Steward and said,49.5“saṁvijjati kho, bho, imesu sattasu rajjesu pahūtaṁ sāpateyyaṁ, tato bhoto yāvatakena attho, tāvatakaṁ āharīyatan”ti.“In these seven kingdoms there is abundant wealth. We’ll get you as much as you want.”
49.6“Alaṁ, bho, mamapidaṁ pahūtaṁ sāpateyyaṁ bhavantānaṁyeva vāhasā.“Enough, sirs. I already have abundant wealth, owing to my lords.49.7Tamahaṁ sabbaṁ pahāya agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāmi.Giving up all that, I shall go forth.”49.8Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā,49.9pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti.
49.10Atha kho, bho, te cha khattiyā ekamantaṁ apakkamma evaṁ samacintesuṁ:Then the six aristocrats withdrew to one side and thought up a plan,49.11“ime kho brāhmaṇā nāma itthiluddhā;“These brahmins are greedy for women.49.12yannūna mayaṁ mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ itthīhi sikkheyyāmā”ti.Why don’t we bestow him with women?”
49.13Te mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu:They returned to the Great Steward and said,49.14“saṁvijjanti kho, bho, imesu sattasu rajjesu pahūtā itthiyo, tato bhoto yāvatikāhi attho, tāvatikā ānīyatan”ti.“In these seven kingdoms there are many women. We’ll get you as many as you want.”
49.15“Alaṁ, bho, mamapimā cattārīsā bhariyā sādisiyo.“Enough, sirs. I already have forty equal wives.49.16Tāpāhaṁ sabbā pahāya agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāmi.Giving up all them, I shall go forth.”49.17Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā,49.18pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyanti”.
50.1PTS 2.246“Sace bhavaṁ govindo agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissati, mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma, atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti.“If the Steward is going forth from the lay life to homelessness, we shall do so too. Your destiny shall be ours.”
50.2“Sace jahatha kāmāni,“If you all give up sensual pleasures,50.3yattha satto puthujjano;to which ordinary people are attached,50.4Ārambhavho daḷhā hotha,exert yourselves, being strong,50.5khantībalasamāhitā.and possessing the power of patience.
50.6Esa maggo ujumaggo,This path is the straight path,50.7esa maggo anuttaro;this path is supreme.50.8Saddhammo sabbhi rakkhito,Guarded by the good, the true teaching5050.9brahmalokūpapattiyā”ti.leads to rebirth in the realm of divinity.”51
51.1“Tena hi bhavaṁ govindo satta vassāni āgametu.“Well then, sir, please wait for seven years.51.2Sattannaṁ vassānaṁ accayena mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma, atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti.When seven years have passed, we shall go forth with you. Your destiny shall be ours.”
51.3“Aticiraṁ kho, bho, satta vassāni, nāhaṁ sakkomi, bhavante, satta vassāni āgametuṁ.“Seven years is too long, sirs. I cannot wait that long.51.4Ko nu kho pana, bho, jānāti jīvitānaṁ.Who knows what will happen to the living?51.5Gamanīyo samparāyo, mantāyaṁ boddhabbaṁ, kattabbaṁ kusalaṁ, caritabbaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, natthi jātassa amaraṇaṁ.We are headed for lives to come. We must be thoughtful and wake up! We must do what’s good and lead the spiritual life, for no one born can escape death.5251.6Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā,51.7pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti.I shall go forth.”
52.1“Tena hi bhavaṁ govindo chabbassāni āgametu …pe…“Well then, sir, please wait for six years,52.2pañca vassāni āgametu …five years,52.3cattāri vassāni āgametu …four years,52.4tīṇi vassāni āgametu …three years,52.5dve vassāni āgametu …two years,52.6ekaṁ vassaṁ āgametu, ekassa vassassa accayena mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma, atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti.one year,53.1PTS 2.247“Aticiraṁ kho, bho, ekaṁ vassaṁ, nāhaṁ sakkomi bhavante ekaṁ vassaṁ āgametuṁ.53.2Ko nu kho pana, bho, jānāti jīvitānaṁ.53.3Gamanīyo samparāyo, mantāyaṁ boddhabbaṁ, kattabbaṁ kusalaṁ, caritabbaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, natthi jātassa amaraṇaṁ.53.4Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā,53.5pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti.53.6“Tena hi bhavaṁ govindo satta māsāni āgametu, sattannaṁ māsānaṁ accayena mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma, atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti.seven months,54.1“Aticiraṁ kho, bho, satta māsāni, nāhaṁ sakkomi bhavante satta māsāni āgametuṁ.54.2Ko nu kho pana, bho, jānāti jīvitānaṁ.54.3Gamanīyo samparāyo, mantāyaṁ boddhabbaṁ, kattabbaṁ kusalaṁ, caritabbaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, natthi jātassa amaraṇaṁ.54.4Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā,54.5pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti.54.6“Tena hi bhavaṁ govindo cha māsāni āgametu …pe…six months,54.7pañca māsāni āgametu …five months,54.8cattāri māsāni āgametu …four months,54.9tīṇi māsāni āgametu …three months,54.10dve māsāni āgametu …two months,54.11ekaṁ māsaṁ āgametu …one month,54.12addhamāsaṁ āgametu, addhamāsassa accayena mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma, atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti.or even a fortnight. When a fortnight has passed, we shall go forth. Your destiny shall be ours.”
55.1PTS 2.248“Aticiraṁ kho, bho, addhamāso, nāhaṁ sakkomi bhavante addhamāsaṁ āgametuṁ.“A fortnight is too long, sirs. I cannot wait that long.55.2Ko nu kho pana, bho, jānāti jīvitānaṁ.Who knows what will happen to the living?55.3Gamanīyo samparāyo, mantāyaṁ boddhabbaṁ, kattabbaṁ kusalaṁ, caritabbaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, natthi jātassa amaraṇaṁ.We are headed for lives to come. We must be thoughtful and wake up! We must do what’s good and lead the spiritual life, for no one born can escape death.55.4Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā,As I understand what the Divinity says about putrefaction, it’s not easy to quell while living at home.55.5pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti.I shall go forth from the lay life to homelessness.”
55.6“Tena hi bhavaṁ govindo sattāhaṁ āgametu, yāva mayaṁ sake puttabhātaro rajjena anusāsissāma, sattāhassa accayena mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma, atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti.“Well then, sir, please wait for a week, so that we can instruct our sons and brothers in kingship. When a week has passed, we shall go forth. Your destiny shall be ours.”
55.7“Na ciraṁ kho, bho, sattāhaṁ, āgamessāmahaṁ bhavante sattāhan”ti.“A week is not too long, sirs. I will wait that long.”
56.06.6. Brāhmaṇamahāsālādīnaṁāmantanā6.6. Informing the Brahmins
56.1PTS 2.249Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena te satta ca brāhmaṇamahāsālā satta ca nhātakasatāni tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te satta ca brāhmaṇamahāsāle satta ca nhātakasatāni etadavoca:Then the Great Steward also went to the seven well-to-do brahmins and seven hundred bathed initiates and said,56.2“aññaṁ dāni bhavanto ācariyaṁ pariyesantu, yo bhavantānaṁ mante vācessati.“Good fellows, please now find another tutor to teach you to recite the hymns.56.3Icchāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ.I wish to go forth from the lay life to homelessness.56.4Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa. Te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā,As I understand what the Divinity says about putrefaction, it’s not easy to quell while living at home.56.5pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti.I shall go forth from the lay life to homelessness.”
56.6“Mā bhavaṁ govindo agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbaji.“Please don’t go forth from the lay life to homelessness!56.7Pabbajjā, bho, appesakkhā ca appalābhā ca;The life of one gone forth is of little influence or profit,56.8brahmaññaṁ mahesakkhañca mahālābhañcā”ti.whereas the life of a brahmin is of great influence and profit.”
56.9“Mā bhavanto evaṁ avacuttha: ‘pabbajjā appesakkhā ca appalābhā ca, brahmaññaṁ mahesakkhañca mahālābhañcā’ti.“Please, good fellows, don’t say that.56.10Ko nu kho, bho, aññatra mayā mahesakkhataro vā mahālābhataro vā.Who has greater influence and profit than myself?56.11Ahañhi, bho, etarahi rājāva raññaṁ brahmāva brāhmaṇānaṁ devatāva gahapatikānaṁ.For now I am like a king to kings, like the Divinity to brahmins, like a deity to householders.56.12Tamahaṁ sabbaṁ pahāya agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāmi.Giving up all that, I shall go forth.56.13Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā.As I understand what the Divinity says about putrefaction, it’s not easy to quell while living at home.56.14Pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti.I shall go forth from the lay life to homelessness.”
56.15“Sace bhavaṁ govindo agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissati, mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma, atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti.“If the Steward is going forth from the lay life to homelessness, we shall do so too. Your destiny shall be ours.”
57.06.7. Bhariyānaṁāmantanā6.7. Informing the Wives
57.1Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena cattārīsā bhariyā sādisiyo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā cattārīsā bhariyā sādisiyo etadavoca:Then the Great Steward went to his forty equal wives and said,57.2“yā bhotīnaṁ icchati, sakāni vā ñātikulāni gacchatu aññaṁ vā bhattāraṁ pariyesatu.“Ladies, please do whatever you wish, whether returning to your own families, or finding another husband.57.3Icchāmahaṁ, bhotī, agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ.I wish to go forth from the lay life to homelessness.57.4Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā.As I understand what the Divinity says about putrefaction, it’s not easy to quell while living at home.57.5Pabbajissāmahaṁ, bhotī, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti.I shall go forth from the lay life to homelessness.”
57.6“Tvaññeva no ñāti ñātikāmānaṁ, tvaṁ pana bhattā bhattukāmānaṁ.“You are the only family we want! You are the only husband we want!57.7Sace bhavaṁ govindo agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissati, mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma, atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti.If you are going forth from the lay life to homelessness, we shall do so too. Your destiny shall be ours.”53
58.06.8. Mahāgovindapabbajjā6.8. The Great Steward Goes Forth
58.1PTS 2.250Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo tassa sattāhassa accayena kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbaji.When a week had passed, the Great Steward shaved off his hair and beard, dressed in ocher robes, and went forth from the lay life to homelessness.58.2Pabbajitaṁ pana mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ satta ca rājāno khattiyā muddhāvasittā satta ca brāhmaṇamahāsālā satta ca nhātakasatāni cattārīsā ca bhariyā sādisiyo anekāni ca khattiyasahassāni anekāni ca brāhmaṇasahassāni anekāni ca gahapatisahassāni anekehi ca itthāgārehi itthiyo kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitaṁ anupabbajiṁsu.And when he had gone forth, the seven anointed aristocrat kings, the seven brahmins with seven hundred initiates, the forty equal wives, and many thousands of aristocrats, brahmins, householders, and many harem women shaved off their hair and beards, dressed in ocher robes, and went forth from the lay life to homelessness.54
58.3Tāya sudaṁ, bho, parisāya parivuto mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo gāmanigamarājadhānīsu cārikaṁ carati.Escorted by that assembly, the Great Steward wandered on tour among the villages, towns, and capital cities.58.4Yaṁ kho pana, bho, tena samayena mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā upasaṅkamati, tattha rājāva hoti raññaṁ, brahmāva brāhmaṇānaṁ, devatāva gahapatikānaṁ.And at that time, whenever he arrived at a village or town, he was like a king to kings, like the Divinity to brahmins, like a deity to householders.58.5Tena kho pana samayena manussā khipanti vā upakkhalanti vā.And whenever people sneezed or tripped over58.6Te evamāhaṁsu:they’d say:58.7“namatthu mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa, namatthu satta purohitassā”ti.“Homage to the Great Steward! Homage to the high priest for the seven!”
59.1Mahāgovindo, bho, brāhmaṇo mettāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā vihāsi, tathā dutiyaṁ, tathā tatiyaṁ, tathā catutthaṁ. Iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjena pharitvā vihāsi.And the Great Steward meditated spreading a heart full of love to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, he spread a heart full of love to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.5559.2Karuṇāsahagatena cetasā …pe…He meditated spreading a heart full of compassion …59.3muditāsahagatena cetasā …pe…rejoicing …59.4upekkhāsahagatena cetasā …pe… abyāpajjena pharitvā vihāsi.equanimity to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, he spread a heart full of equanimity to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.59.5Sāvakānañca brahmalokasahabyatāya maggaṁ desesi.And he taught his disciples the path to rebirth in the company of Divinity.56
60.1PTS 2.251Ye kho pana, bho, tena samayena mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa sāvakā sabbenasabbaṁ sāsanaṁ ājāniṁsu.Those of his disciples who completely understood the Great Steward’s instructions,60.2Te kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ brahmalokaṁ upapajjiṁsu.at the breaking up of the body, after death, were reborn in the realm of divinity.60.3Ye na sabbenasabbaṁ sāsanaṁ ājāniṁsu, te kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā appekacce paranimmitavasavattīnaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjiṁsu;Of those disciples who only partly understood the Great Steward’s instructions, some were reborn in the company of the gods who control what is created by others,60.4appekacce nimmānaratīnaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjiṁsu;while some were reborn in the company of the gods who love to create,60.5appekacce tusitānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjiṁsu;or the joyful gods,60.6appekacce yāmānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjiṁsu;or the gods of Yama,60.7appekacce tāvatiṁsānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjiṁsu;or the gods of the thirty-three,60.8appekacce cātumahārājikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjiṁsu;or the gods of the four great kings.60.9ye sabbanihīnaṁ kāyaṁ paripūresuṁ te gandhabbakāyaṁ paripūresuṁ.And at the very least they swelled the hosts of the centaurs.
60.10Iti kho, bho, sabbesaṁyeva tesaṁ kulaputtānaṁ amoghā pabbajjā ahosi avañjhā saphalā saudrayā’ti.And so the going forth of all those gentlemen was not in vain, was not barren, but was fruitful and fertile.’
60.11Sarati taṁ bhagavā”ti?Do you remember this, Blessed One?”
61.1“Sarāmahaṁ, pañcasikha.“I remember, Pañcasikha.61.2Ahaṁ tena samayena mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo ahosiṁ.I myself was the brahmin Great Steward at that time.5761.3Ahaṁ tesaṁ sāvakānaṁ brahmalokasahabyatāya maggaṁ desesiṁ.And I taught those disciples the path to rebirth in the company of Divinity.61.4Taṁ kho pana me, pañcasikha, brahmacariyaṁ na nibbidāya na virāgāya na nirodhāya na upasamāya na abhiññāya na sambodhāya na nibbānāya saṁvattati, yāvadeva brahmalokūpapattiyā.But that spiritual path of mine doesn’t lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. It only leads as far as rebirth in the realm of divinity.58
61.5Idaṁ kho pana me, pañcasikha, brahmacariyaṁ ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati.But this spiritual path does lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.61.6Katamañca taṁ, pañcasikha, brahmacariyaṁ ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati?And what is the spiritual path that leads to extinguishment?61.7Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo.It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is:61.8Seyyathidaṁ—sammādiṭṭhi sammāsaṅkappo sammāvācā sammākammanto sammāājīvo sammāvāyāmo sammāsati sammāsamādhi.right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.61.9Idaṁ kho taṁ, pañcasikha, brahmacariyaṁ ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati.This is the spiritual path that leads to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.
62.1PTS 2.252Ye kho pana me, pañcasikha, sāvakā sabbenasabbaṁ sāsanaṁ ājānanti, te āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharanti;Those of my disciples who completely understand my instructions realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. And they live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements.
62.2ye na sabbenasabbaṁ sāsanaṁ ājānanti, te pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātikā honti tattha parinibbāyino anāvattidhammā tasmā lokā.Of those disciples who only partly understand my instructions, some, with the ending of the five lower fetters, become reborn spontaneously. They are extinguished there, and are not liable to return from that world.
62.3Ye na sabbenasabbaṁ sāsanaṁ ājānanti, appekacce tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā rāgadosamohānaṁ tanuttā sakadāgāmino honti sakideva imaṁ lokaṁ āgantvā dukkhassantaṁ karissanti.Some, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, become once-returners. They come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.
62.4Ye na sabbenasabbaṁ sāsanaṁ ājānanti, appekacce tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpannā honti avinipātadhammā niyatā sambodhiparāyaṇā.And some, with the ending of three fetters, become stream-enterers, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.
62.5Iti kho, pañcasikha, sabbesaṁyeva imesaṁ kulaputtānaṁ amoghā pabbajjā avañjhā saphalā saudrayā”ti.And so the going forth of all those gentlemen was not in vain, was not barren, but was fruitful and fertile.”
62.6Idamavoca bhagavā.That is what the Buddha said.62.7Attamano pañcasikho gandhabbaputto bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyīti.Delighted, the centaur Pañcasikha approved and agreed with what the Buddha said. He bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before vanishing right there.
62.8Mahāgovindasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ chaṭṭhaṁ.