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MN 92PTS MN 2.1469 min read

With Sela

Selasutta

A brahmanical ascetic named Keṇiya invites the entire Saṅgha for a meal. When the brahmin Sela sees what is happening, he visits the Buddha and expresses his delight in a moving series of devotional verses.

Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka · Public domain (CC0) via SuttaCentral

  • 0.1Majjhima Nikāya 92Middle Discourses 92

0.2SelasuttaWith Sela

1.1Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.11.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā aṅguttarāpesu cārikaṁ caramāno mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ aḍḍhateḷasehi bhikkhusatehi yena āpaṇaṁ nāma aṅguttarāpānaṁ nigamo tadavasari.At one time the Buddha was wandering together with a large Saṅgha of 1,250 mendicants in the land of the Aṅguttarāpans when he arrived at a town of theirs named Āpaṇa.

2.1Assosi kho keṇiyo jaṭilo:The matted-hair ascetic Keṇiya heard:2.2“samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito aṅguttarāpesu cārikaṁ caramāno mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ aḍḍhateḷasehi bhikkhusatehi āpaṇaṁ anuppatto.“It seems the ascetic Gotama—a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family—has arrived at Āpaṇa, together with a large Saṅgha of 1,250 mendicants.2.3Taṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:He has this good reputation:2.4‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti.‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’2.5So imaṁ lokaṁ sadevakaṁ samārakaṁ sabrahmakaṁ sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiṁ pajaṁ sadevamanussaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedeti.He has realized with his own insight this world—with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—and he makes it known to others.2.6So dhammaṁ deseti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāseti.He proclaims a teaching that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And he reveals a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure.2.7Sādhu kho pana tathārūpānaṁ arahataṁ dassanaṁ hotī”ti.It’s good to see such perfected ones.”

3.1Atha kho keṇiyo jaṭilo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi.So Keṇiya approached the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him.23.2Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi.When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side.3.3Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho keṇiyaṁ jaṭilaṁ bhagavā dhammiyā kathāya sandassesi samādapesi samuttejesi sampahaṁsesi.The Buddha educated, encouraged, fired up, and inspired him with a Dhamma talk.

3.4Atha kho keṇiyo jaṭilo bhagavatā dhammiyā kathāya sandassito samādapito samuttejito sampahaṁsito bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:Then he said to the Buddha,3.5“adhivāsetu me bhavaṁ gotamo svātanāya bhattaṁ saddhiṁ bhikkhusaṅghenā”ti.“Would Worthy Gotama together with the mendicant Saṅgha please accept tomorrow’s meal from me?”

3.6Evaṁ vutte, bhagavā keṇiyaṁ jaṭilaṁ etadavoca:When he said this, the Buddha said to him,3.7“mahā kho, keṇiya, bhikkhusaṅgho aḍḍhateḷasāni bhikkhusatāni, tvañca brāhmaṇesu abhippasanno”ti.“The Saṅgha is large, Keṇiya; there are 1,250 mendicants. And you are devoted to the brahmins.”

3.8Dutiyampi kho keṇiyo jaṭilo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:For a second time, Keṇiya asked the Buddha to accept a meal offering.3.9“kiñcāpi kho, bho gotama, mahā bhikkhusaṅgho aḍḍhateḷasāni bhikkhusatāni, ahañca brāhmaṇesu abhippasanno;“Never mind that the Saṅgha is large, with 1,250 mendicants, and that I am devoted to the brahmins.3.10adhivāsetu me bhavaṁ gotamo svātanāya bhattaṁ saddhiṁ bhikkhusaṅghenā”ti.Would Worthy Gotama together with the mendicant Saṅgha please accept tomorrow’s meal from me?”3.11Dutiyampi kho bhagavā keṇiyaṁ jaṭilaṁ etadavoca:And for a second time, the Buddha gave the same reply.3.12“mahā kho, keṇiya, bhikkhusaṅgho aḍḍhateḷasāni bhikkhusatāni, tvañca brāhmaṇesu abhippasanno”ti.3.13Tatiyampi kho keṇiyo jaṭilo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:For a third time, Keṇiya asked the Buddha to accept a meal offering.3.14“kiñcāpi kho, bho gotama, mahā bhikkhusaṅgho aḍḍhateḷasāni bhikkhusatāni, ahañca brāhmaṇesu abhippasanno;“Never mind that the Saṅgha is large, with 1,250 mendicants, and that I am devoted to the brahmins.3.15adhivāsetu me bhavaṁ gotamo svātanāya bhattaṁ saddhiṁ bhikkhusaṅghenā”ti.Would Worthy Gotama together with the mendicant Saṅgha please accept tomorrow’s meal from me?”3.16Adhivāsesi bhagavā tuṇhībhāvena.The Buddha consented with silence.

4.1Atha kho keṇiyo jaṭilo bhagavato adhivāsanaṁ viditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā yena sako assamo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā mittāmacce ñātisālohite āmantesi:Then, knowing that the Buddha had consented, Keṇiya rose from his seat and went to his own hermitage. There he addressed his friends and colleagues, relatives and kin,4.2“suṇantu me bhonto, mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā;“My friends and colleagues, relatives and kin: please listen!4.3samaṇo me gotamo nimantito svātanāya bhattaṁ saddhiṁ bhikkhusaṅghena.The ascetic Gotama together with the mendicant Saṅgha has been invited by me for tomorrow’s meal.4.4Yena me kāyaveyyāvaṭikaṁ kareyyāthā”ti.Please help me out with the manual preparations.”3

4.5“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho keṇiyassa jaṭilassa mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā keṇiyassa jaṭilassa paṭissutvā appekacce uddhanāni khaṇanti, appekacce kaṭṭhāni phālenti, appekacce bhājanāni dhovanti, appekacce udakamaṇikaṁ patiṭṭhāpenti, appekacce āsanāni paññapenti.“Yes, worthy sir,” they replied. Some dug ovens, some chopped wood, some washed dishes, some set up a water jar, and some spread out seats.4.6Keṇiyo pana jaṭilo sāmaṁyeva maṇḍalamālaṁ paṭiyādeti.Meanwhile, Keṇiya set up the pavilion himself.

5.1Tena kho pana samayena selo brāhmaṇo āpaṇe paṭivasati tiṇṇaṁ vedānaṁ pāragū sanighaṇḍukeṭubhānaṁ sākkharappabhedānaṁ itihāsapañcamānaṁ, padako, veyyākaraṇo, lokāyatamahāpurisalakkhaṇesu anavayo, tīṇi ca māṇavakasatāni mante vāceti.Now at that time the brahmin Sela was residing in Āpaṇa. He had mastered the three Vedas, together with their vocabularies and ritual performance, their phonology and word classification, and the testaments as fifth. He knew them word-by-word, and their grammar. He was well versed in cosmology and the marks of a great man. And he was teaching three hundred young students to recite the hymns.

6.1Tena kho pana samayena keṇiyo jaṭilo sele brāhmaṇe abhippasanno hoti.And at that time Keṇiya was devoted to Sela.6.2Atha kho selo brāhmaṇo tīhi māṇavakasatehi parivuto jaṅghāvihāraṁ anucaṅkamamāno anuvicaramāno yena keṇiyassa jaṭilassa assamo tenupasaṅkami.Then Sela, while going for a walk escorted by the three hundred young students, approached Keṇiya’s hermitage.6.3Addasā kho selo brāhmaṇo keṇiyassa jaṭilassa assame appekacce uddhanāni khaṇante, appekacce kaṭṭhāni phālente, appekacce bhājanāni dhovante, appekacce udakamaṇikaṁ patiṭṭhāpente, appekacce āsanāni paññapente, keṇiyaṁ pana jaṭilaṁ sāmaṁyeva maṇḍalamālaṁ paṭiyādentaṁ.He saw the preparations going on,7.1Disvāna keṇiyaṁ jaṭilaṁ etadavoca:and said to Keṇiya,7.2“kiṁ nu bhoto keṇiyassa āvāho vā bhavissati vivāho vā bhavissati mahāyañño vā paccupaṭṭhito, rājā vā māgadho seniyo bimbisāro nimantito svātanāya saddhiṁ balakāyenā”ti?“Worthy Keṇiya, is your son or daughter being married? Or are you setting up a grand sacrifice? Or has King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha been invited for tomorrow’s meal?”4

8.1“Na me, bho sela, āvāho bhavissati napi vivāho bhavissati napi rājā māgadho seniyo bimbisāro nimantito svātanāya saddhiṁ balakāyena;“There is no marriage, Worthy Sela, and the king is not coming.8.2api ca kho me mahāyañño paccupaṭṭhito.Rather, I am setting up a grand sacrifice.8.3Atthi, bho, samaṇo gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito aṅguttarāpesu cārikaṁ caramāno mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ aḍḍhateḷasehi bhikkhusatehi āpaṇaṁ anuppatto.The ascetic Gotama has arrived at Āpaṇa, together with a large Saṅgha of 1,250 mendicants.8.4Taṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:He has this good reputation:8.5‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti.‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’8.6So me nimantito svātanāya bhattaṁ saddhiṁ bhikkhusaṅghenā”ti.He has been invited by me for tomorrow’s meal together with the mendicant Saṅgha.”

9.1“Buddhoti—bho keṇiya, vadesi”?“Did you say ‘the awakened one’?”5

9.2“Buddhoti—bho sela, vadāmi”.“I said ‘the awakened one’.”

9.3“Buddhoti—bho keṇiya, vadesi”?“Did you say ‘the awakened one’?”

9.4“Buddhoti—bho sela, vadāmī”ti.“I said ‘the awakened one’.”

10.1Atha kho selassa brāhmaṇassa etadahosi:Then Sela thought:10.2“ghosopi kho eso dullabho lokasmiṁ—yadidaṁ ‘buddho’ti.“It’s hard to even find the word ‘awakened one’ in the world.10.3Āgatāni kho panamhākaṁ mantesu dvattiṁsamahāpurisalakkhaṇāni, yehi samannāgatassa mahāpurisassa dveyeva gatiyo bhavanti anaññā.The thirty-two marks of a great man have been handed down in our hymns. A great man who possesses these has only two possible destinies, no other.10.4Sace agāraṁ ajjhāvasati, rājā hoti cakkavattī dhammiko dhammarājā cāturanto vijitāvī janapadatthāvariyappatto sattaratanasamannāgato.If he stays at home he becomes a king, a wheel-turning monarch, a just and principled king. His dominion extends to all four sides, he achieves stability in the country, and he possesses the seven treasures.10.5Tassimāni satta ratanāni bhavanti, seyyathidaṁ—He has the following seven treasures:10.6cakkaratanaṁ, hatthiratanaṁ, assaratanaṁ, maṇiratanaṁ, itthiratanaṁ, gahapatiratanaṁ, pariṇāyakaratanameva sattamaṁ.the wheel, the elephant, the horse, the jewel, the woman, the householder, and the commander as the seventh treasure.10.7Parosahassaṁ kho panassa puttā bhavanti sūrā vīraṅgarūpā parasenappamaddanā.He has over a thousand sons who are valiant and heroic, crushing the armies of his enemies.10.8So imaṁ pathaviṁ sāgarapariyantaṁ adaṇḍena asatthena dhammena abhivijiya ajjhāvasati.After conquering this land girt by sea, he reigns by principle, without rod or sword.10.9Sace pana agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajati, arahaṁ hoti sammāsambuddho loke vivaṭṭacchado”.But if he goes forth from the lay life to homelessness, he becomes a perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha, who casts off the veil from the world.”

11.1“Kahaṁ pana, bho keṇiya, etarahi so bhavaṁ gotamo viharati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho”ti?He said, “But Keṇiya, where is the Blessed One at present, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha?”

11.2Evaṁ vutte, keṇiyo jaṭilo dakkhiṇaṁ bāhuṁ paggahetvā selaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ etadavoca:When he said this, Keṇiya pointed with his right arm and said,11.3“yenesā, bho sela, nīlavanarājī”ti.“There, worthy Sela, at that line of blue forest.”

12.1Atha kho selo brāhmaṇo tīhi māṇavakasatehi saddhiṁ yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami.Then Sela, together with his young students, approached the Buddha.12.2Atha kho selo brāhmaṇo te māṇavake āmantesi:He said to his young students,12.3“appasaddā bhonto āgacchantu pade padaṁ nikkhipantā;“Come quietly, gentlemen, tread gently.12.4durāsadā hi te bhagavanto sīhāva ekacarā.For the Buddhas are intimidating, like a lion living alone.612.5Yadā cāhaṁ, bho, samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ manteyyaṁ, mā me bhonto antarantarā kathaṁ opātetha.When I’m consulting with the ascetic Gotama, don’t interrupt.12.6Kathāpariyosānaṁ me bhavanto āgamentū”ti.Wait until I’ve finished speaking.”

13.1Atha kho selo brāhmaṇo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi.Then Sela went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.13.2Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi.When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side,13.3Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho selo brāhmaṇo bhagavato kāye dvattiṁsamahāpurisalakkhaṇāni samannesi.and scrutinized the Buddha’s body for the thirty-two marks of a great man.

13.4Addasā kho selo brāhmaṇo bhagavato kāye dvattiṁsamahāpurisalakkhaṇāni, yebhuyyena ṭhapetvā dve.He saw all of them except two,13.5Dvīsu mahāpurisalakkhaṇesu kaṅkhati vicikicchati nādhimuccati na sampasīdati—which he had doubts about:13.6kosohite ca vatthaguyhe pahūtajivhatāya ca.whether the private parts were sheathed in a foreskin, and the largeness of the tongue.

13.7Atha kho bhagavato etadahosi:Then it occurred to the Buddha,13.8“passati kho me ayaṁ selo brāhmaṇo dvattiṁsamahāpurisalakkhaṇāni, yebhuyyena ṭhapetvā dve.“Sela sees all the marks except two,13.9Dvīsu mahāpurisalakkhaṇesu kaṅkhati vicikicchati nādhimuccati na sampasīdati—which he has doubts about:13.10kosohite ca vatthaguyhe pahūtajivhatāya cā”ti.whether the private parts are sheathed in a foreskin, and the largeness of the tongue.”

14.1Atha kho bhagavā tathārūpaṁ iddhābhisaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkhāsi, yathā addasa selo brāhmaṇo bhagavato kosohitaṁ vatthaguyhaṁ.The Buddha used his psychic power to will that Sela would see his private parts sheathed in a foreskin.14.2Atha kho bhagavā jivhaṁ ninnāmetvā ubhopi kaṇṇasotāni anumasi paṭimasi; ubhopi nāsikasotāni anumasi paṭimasi; kevalampi nalāṭamaṇḍalaṁ jivhāya chādesi.And he stuck out his tongue and stroked back and forth on his ear holes and nostrils, and covered his entire forehead with his tongue.

15.1Atha kho selassa brāhmaṇassa etadahosi:Then Sela thought,15.2“samannāgato kho samaṇo gotamo dvattiṁsamahāpurisalakkhaṇehi paripuṇṇehi, no aparipuṇṇehi;“The ascetic Gotama possesses the thirty-two marks completely, lacking none.15.3no ca kho naṁ jānāmi buddho vā no vā.But I don’t know whether or not he is an awakened one.715.4Sutaṁ 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,15.5‘ye te bhavanti arahanto sammāsambuddhā te sake vaṇṇe bhaññamāne attānaṁ pātukarontī’ti.‘Those who are perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas reveal themselves when praised.’815.6Yannūnāhaṁ samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ sammukhā sāruppāhi gāthāhi abhitthaveyyan”ti.Why don’t I extoll him in his presence with fitting verses?”

15.7Atha kho selo brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ sammukhā sāruppāhi gāthāhi abhitthavi:Then Sela extolled the Buddha in his presence with fitting verses:

16.1“Paripuṇṇakāyo suruci,“O Blessed One, your body’s perfect,916.2Sujāto cārudassano;you’re radiant, handsome, lovely to behold;16.3Suvaṇṇavaṇṇosi bhagavā,golden colored,16.4Susukkadāṭhosi vīriyavā.with teeth so white; you’re strong.

16.5Narassa hi sujātassa,The characteristics16.6ye bhavanti viyañjanā;of a handsome man,16.7Sabbe te tava kāyasmiṁ,the marks of a great man,16.8mahāpurisalakkhaṇā.are all found on your body.

16.9Pasannanetto sumukho,Your eyes are clear, your face is fair,16.10brahā uju patāpavā;you’re formidable, upright, majestic.16.11Majjhe samaṇasaṅghassa,In the midst of the Saṅgha of ascetics,16.12ādiccova virocasi.you dazzle like the sun.

16.13Kalyāṇadassano bhikkhu,You’re a mendicant fine to see,16.14kañcanasannibhattaco;with skin that shines like lustrous gold.16.15Kiṁ te samaṇabhāvena,But with such excellent appearance,16.16evaṁ uttamavaṇṇino.what do you want with the ascetic life?

16.17Rājā arahasi bhavituṁ,You’re fit to be a king,16.18cakkavattī rathesabho;a wheel-turning monarch, chief of charioteers,16.19Cāturanto vijitāvī,victorious in the four quarters,16.20jambusaṇḍassa issaro.lord of the Black Plum Tree Land.

16.21Khattiyā bhogirājāno,Aristocrats, nobles, and kings16.22anuyantā bhavantu te;ought follow your rule.16.23Rājābhirājā manujindo,Gotama, may you reign16.24rajjaṁ kārehi gotama”.as king of kings, lord of mankind!”

17.1“Rājāhamasmi selāti,“I am a king, Sela,17.2dhammarājā anuttaro;the supreme king of the teaching.17.3Dhammena cakkaṁ vattemi,By the teaching I roll forth the wheel17.4cakkaṁ appaṭivattiyaṁ”.which cannot be rolled back.”10

18.1“Sambuddho paṭijānāsi,“You claim to be awakened,18.2dhammarājā anuttaro;the supreme king of the teaching.18.3‘Dhammena cakkaṁ vattemi’,‘I roll forth the teaching’:18.4iti bhāsasi gotama.so you say, Gotama.

18.5Ko nu senāpati bhoto,Then who is your general,1118.6sāvako satthuranvayo;the disciple who follows the Teacher’s way?18.7Ko tetamanuvatteti,Who keeps rolling the wheel18.8dhammacakkaṁ pavattitaṁ”.of the teaching you rolled forth?”

19.1“Mayā pavattitaṁ cakkaṁ,“By me the wheel was rolled forth,”19.2(selāti bhagavā)said the Buddha,19.3Dhammacakkaṁ anuttaraṁ;“the supreme wheel of the teaching.19.4Sāriputto anuvatteti,Sāriputta, taking after the Realized One,19.5Anujāto tathāgataṁ.keeps it rolling on.12

19.6Abhiññeyyaṁ abhiññātaṁ,I have known what should be known,1319.7bhāvetabbañca bhāvitaṁ;and developed what should be developed,19.8Pahātabbaṁ pahīnaṁ me,and given up what should be given up:19.9tasmā buddhosmi brāhmaṇa.and so, brahmin, I am a Buddha.

19.10Vinayassu mayi kaṅkhaṁ,Dispel your doubt in me—19.11adhimuccassu brāhmaṇa;make up your mind, brahmin!19.12Dullabhaṁ dassanaṁ hoti,The sight of a Buddha19.13sambuddhānaṁ abhiṇhaso.is hard to find again.14

19.14Yesaṁ ve dullabho loke,I am a Buddha, brahmin,19.15pātubhāvo abhiṇhaso;the supreme surgeon,19.16Sohaṁ brāhmaṇa sambuddho,one of those whose appearance in the world19.17sallakatto anuttaro.is hard to find again.

19.18Brahmabhūto atitulo,A manifestation of divinity, unequaled,19.19mārasenappamaddano;crusher of Māra’s army;19.20Sabbāmitte vasī katvā,having subdued all my opponents,19.21modāmi akutobhayo”.I rejoice, fearing nothing from any quarter.”

20.1“Imaṁ bhonto nisāmetha,“Pay heed, sirs, to what20.2yathā bhāsati cakkhumā;is spoken by the Clear-eyed One.20.3Sallakatto mahāvīro,The surgeon, the great hero,20.4sīhova nadatī vane.roars like a lion in the jungle.

20.5Brahmabhūtaṁ atitulaṁ,A manifestation of divinity, unequaled,20.6mārasenappamaddanaṁ;crusher of Māra’s army;20.7Ko disvā nappasīdeyya,who would not be inspired by him,20.8api kaṇhābhijātiko.even one born in a dark class?15

20.9Yo maṁ icchati anvetu,Those who wish may follow me;20.10yo vā nicchati gacchatu;those who don’t may go.20.11Idhāhaṁ pabbajissāmi,Right here, I’ll go forth in his presence,20.12varapaññassa santike”.the one of such outstanding wisdom.”

21.1“Etañce ruccati bhoto,“Sir, if you endorse21.2sammāsambuddhasāsanaṁ;the teaching of the Buddha,21.3Mayampi pabbajissāma,we’ll also go forth in his presence,21.4varapaññassa santike”.the one of such outstanding wisdom.”

22.1Brāhmaṇā tisatā ime,“These three hundred brahmins22.2yācanti pañjalīkatā;with cupped palms held up, ask:22.3“Brahmacariyaṁ carissāma,‘May we lead the spiritual life22.4bhagavā tava santike”.in your presence, Blessed One?’”

23.1“Svākkhātaṁ brahmacariyaṁ,“The spiritual life is well explained,”23.2(selāti bhagavā)said the Buddha,23.3Sandiṭṭhikamakālikaṁ;“apparent in the present life, immediately effective.23.4Yattha amoghā pabbajjā,Here the going forth isn’t in vain23.5Appamattassa sikkhato”ti.for one who trains with diligence.”

24.1Alattha kho selo brāhmaṇo sapariso bhagavato santike pabbajjaṁ, alattha upasampadaṁ.And the brahmin Sela together with his assembly received the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence.

25.1Atha kho keṇiyo jaṭilo tassā rattiyā accayena sake assame paṇītaṁ khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ paṭiyādāpetvā bhagavato kālaṁ ārocāpesi:And when the night had passed Keṇiya had delicious fresh and cooked foods prepared in his own hermitage. Then he had the Buddha informed of the time, saying,25.2“kālo, bho gotama, niṭṭhitaṁ bhattan”ti.“It’s time, worthy Gotama, the meal is ready.”

25.3Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena keṇiyassa jaṭilassa assamo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi saddhiṁ bhikkhusaṅghena.Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to Keṇiya’s hermitage, where he sat down on the seat spread out together with the Saṅgha of mendicants.25.4Atha kho keṇiyo jaṭilo buddhappamukhaṁ bhikkhusaṅghaṁ paṇītena khādanīyena bhojanīyena sahatthā santappesi, sampavāresi.Then Keṇiya served and satisfied the mendicant Saṅgha headed by the Buddha with his own hands with delicious fresh and cooked foods.25.5Atha kho keṇiyo jaṭilo bhagavantaṁ bhuttāviṁ onītapattapāṇiṁ aññataraṁ nīcaṁ āsanaṁ gahetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi.When the Buddha had eaten and washed his hand and bowl, Keṇiya took a low seat and sat to one side.25.6Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho keṇiyaṁ jaṭilaṁ bhagavā imāhi gāthāhi anumodi:The Buddha expressed his appreciation with these verses:

26.1“Aggihuttamukhā yaññā,“The foremost of sacrifices <j>is the offering to the sacred flame;1626.2sāvittī chandaso mukhaṁ;the Sāvitrī is the foremost of prayer;1726.3Rājā mukhaṁ manussānaṁ,of humans, the king is the foremost;26.4nadīnaṁ sāgaro mukhaṁ.the ocean’s the foremost of rivers;

26.5Nakkhattānaṁ mukhaṁ cando,the foremost of stars is the moon;26.6ādicco tapataṁ mukhaṁ;the sun is the foremost of blazes;26.7Puññaṁ ākaṅkhamānānaṁ,for those who sacrifice seeking merit,26.8saṅgho ve yajataṁ mukhan”ti.the Saṅgha is the foremost.”

26.9Atha kho bhagavā keṇiyaṁ jaṭilaṁ imāhi gāthāhi anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkāmi.When the Buddha had expressed his appreciation to Keṇiya the matted-hair ascetic with these verses, he rose from his seat and left.

27.1Atha kho āyasmā selo sapariso eko vūpakaṭṭho appamatto ātāpī pahitatto viharanto nacirasseva—yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihāsi.Then Venerable Sela and his assembly, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. They lived having achieved with their own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.

27.2“Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā”ti abbhaññāsi.They understood: “Rebirth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.”27.3Aññataro kho panāyasmā selo sapariso arahataṁ ahosi.And Venerable Sela together with his assembly became perfected.

28.1Atha kho āyasmā selo sapariso yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā ekaṁsaṁ cīvaraṁ katvā yena bhagavā tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā bhagavantaṁ gāthāhi ajjhabhāsi:Then Sela with his assembly went to the Buddha. He arranged his robe over one shoulder, raised his joined palms toward the Buddha, and said:

28.2“Yaṁ taṁ saraṇamāgamma,“This is the eighth day since28.3ito aṭṭhami cakkhumā;we went for refuge, O Clear-eyed One.28.4Sattarattena bhagavā,In these seven days, Blessed One,28.5dantamha tava sāsane.we’ve become tamed in your teaching.

28.6Tuvaṁ buddho tuvaṁ satthā,You are the Buddha, you are the Teacher,1828.7tuvaṁ mārābhibhū muni;you are the sage who has overcome Māra;28.8Tuvaṁ anusaye chetvā,you have cut off the underlying tendencies,28.9tiṇṇo tāresimaṁ pajaṁ.you’ve crossed over, and you bring humanity across.

28.10Upadhī te samatikkantā,You have transcended attachments,28.11āsavā te padālitā;your defilements are shattered;28.12Sīhova anupādāno,like a lion free of grasping,28.13pahīnabhayabheravo.with fear and dread given up.

28.14Bhikkhavo tisatā ime,These three hundred mendicants28.15tiṭṭhanti pañjalīkatā;stand with cupped palms raised.28.16Pāde vīra pasārehi,Stretch out your feet, great hero:28.17nāgā vandantu satthuno”ti.let these giants bow to the Teacher.”

28.18Selasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ dutiyaṁ.

Translator’s notes

  1. This entire sutta is repeated at Snp 3.7.

    ↩ mn92:1.1
  2. Keṇiya features also in the Vinaya, where at this point he offered the Buddha and the Saṅgha a drink in the evening, reasoning that the Brahmanical sages of the past did likewise (Kd 6:35.1.2). As a result, the Buddha allowed fruit juice and other drinks in the evening.

    ↩ mn92:3.1
  3. “Manual preparations” is kāyaveyyāvaṭikaṁ. Ten kinds of service are enumerated in the Jain Tattvārthasūtra 9.24.

    ↩ mn92:4.4
  4. Aṅga was subject to Magadha at that time.

    This passage is partially echoed in the account of Anāthapiṇḍika’s conversion (Kd 16:4.1.10).

    ↩ mn92:7.2
  5. Anāthapiṇḍika responded in the same way when hearing of the Buddha (Kd 16:4.2.10). Also compare Bāvari’s elation at Snp 5.1:19.1.

    ↩ mn92:9.1
  6. Durāsada (“intimidating”) is also at AN 4.42:4.1, which shows that the sense is that they are hard to defeat in debate.

    ↩ mn92:12.4
  7. As his verses make clear, Sela has not ruled out the possibility that Gotama’s destiny is to become a wheel-turning monarch rather than a Buddha.

    ↩ mn92:15.3
  8. This idea is not found elsewhere in the Pali.

    ↩ mn92:15.5
  9. These are also found in Sela’s verses at Thag 16.6.

    ↩ mn92:16.1
  10. This is of course a reference to the first sermon (SN 56.11).

    ↩ mn92:17.4
  11. The title “General of the Dhamma” belongs to Sāriputta (Ud 2.8:16.2, Thag 18.1:33.1).

    ↩ mn92:18.5
  12. Anujāta is said at Iti 74:4.1 to be a child who “takes after” the good qualities of their parents.

    ↩ mn92:19.5
  13. As at MN 91:31.5.

    ↩ mn92:19.6
  14. Abhiṇhaso means “repeatedly”. Here the force of the saying is, I think, “It is hard enough to encounter a Buddha even once, let alone repeatedly.”

    ↩ mn92:19.13
  15. The “dark class” refers to those born in an unfortunate state (AN 6.57:11.1). Sela is saying that the Buddha’s path is for everyone, not just the fortunate.

    ↩ mn92:20.8
  16. Yaññā is a truncated genitive plural (“of sacrifices”).

    Mukha means originally “mouth”, hence “opening”, “entrance”; but also “face”, hence “front”, “foremost”. The fire is the foremost sacrifice, but fire is also a “mouth”, since “however much one may put into a fire, it burns it all up all” (Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 5.14.8). This sense of “consume” or “subsume” is alive in these verses as well. For example, the Sāvitrī “subsumes” other hymns, for merely one line is equivalent to all three Vedas (5.14.2).

    ↩ mn92:26.1
  17. The Sāvitrī (or Gāyatrī) is a famous verse recited daily by brahmin priests at dawn: “Might we make our own that desirable effulgence of god Savitar, who will rouse forth our insights” (Rig Veda 3.62.10, Jamison/Brereton). It was the “head” of metres (śiro gāyatryaḥ, Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa 8.6.2.3, 8.6.2.6), and was “praised as the foremost of recitations” (gāyatrāṇy uktha mukhanai śaṁsanti, Kauṣītaki Brāhmaṇa 17.7.1). It was the first verse taught a new initiate (Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa 11.5.4.13).

    Chandas can be either “meter” or a metrical song of praise, especially a Vedic hymn. The Sāvitrī is a Vedic text, not a meter, so the latter meaning must apply here. Its root is “desire”, retaining the sense of “prayer” as a song of praise and supplication.

    ↩ mn92:26.2
  18. This verse and the next are also at Snp 3.6:49.1.

    ↩ mn92:28.6