1.1Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

1.2Atha kho sambahulā satullapakāyikā devatāyo abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu.Then, late at night, several glorious deities of the host of a hundred felicities, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side.1.3Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho ekā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:Standing to one side, one deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

2.1“Maccherā ca pamādā ca,“Because of stinginess and negligence2.2evaṁ dānaṁ na dīyati;a gift is not given.2.3Puññaṁ ākaṅkhamānena,Wanting merit,2.4deyyaṁ hoti vijānatā”ti.a smart person would give.”

3.1Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:Then another deity recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

4.1“Yasseva bhīto na dadāti maccharī,“When a miser fails to give because of fear,4.2Tadevādadato bhayaṁ;the very thing they’re afraid of comes to pass.4.3Jighacchā ca pipāsā ca,The hunger and thirst4.4Yassa bhāyati maccharī;that a miser fears4.5Tameva bālaṁ phusati,hurt the fool4.6Asmiṁ loke paramhi ca.in this world and the next.

5.1Tasmā vineyya maccheraṁ,∥So you should dispel stinginess,5.2dajjā dānaṁ malābhibhū;overcoming that stain, and give a gift.5.3Puññāni paralokasmiṁ,The good deeds of sentient beings5.4patiṭṭhā honti pāṇinan”ti.support them in the next world.”

6.1Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:Then another deity recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

7.1“Te matesu na mīyanti,“Among the dead they do not die,¹7.2panthānaṁva sahabbajaṁ;those who, like fellow travelers on the road,7.3Appasmiṁ ye pavecchanti,are happy to provide, though they have but little.7.4esa dhammo sanantano.This is an ancient teaching.

8.1Appasmeke pavecchanti,∥Some who have little are happy to provide,8.2bahuneke na dicchare;while some who have much don’t wish to give.8.3Appasmā dakkhiṇā dinnā,An offering given from little8.4sahassena samaṁ mitā”ti.is multiplied a thousand times.”²

9.1Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:Then another deity recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

10.1“Duddadaṁ dadamānānaṁ,“Giving what’s hard to give,10.2dukkaraṁ kamma kubbataṁ;doing what’s hard to do;10.3Asanto nānukubbanti,the wicked don’t act like this,10.4sataṁ dhammo duranvayo.for the teaching of the good is hard to follow.

11.1Tasmā satañca asataṁ,That’s why the virtuous and the wicked11.2nānā hoti ito gati;have different destinations after here.11.3Asanto nirayaṁ yanti,The wicked go to hell,11.4santo saggaparāyanā”ti.while the virtuous are bound for heaven.”

12.1Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike etadavoca:Then another deity said to the Buddha,12.2“kassa nu kho, bhagavā, subhāsitan”ti?“Sir, who has spoken well?”

13.1“Sabbāsaṁ vo subhāsitaṁ pariyāyena; api ca mamapi suṇātha—“You’ve all spoken well in your own way. However, listen to me also:

14.1Dhammaṁ care yopi samuñjakaṁ care,A hundred thousand people <j>making a thousand sacrifices14.2Dārañca posaṁ dadamappakasmiṁ;isn’t worth a fraction of that sort,14.3Sataṁ sahassānaṁ sahassayāginaṁ,who lives rightly, wandering for gleanings,14.4Kalampi nāgghanti tathāvidhassa te”ti.or one who supports their partner <j>with what little they have.”

15.1Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:Then another deity addressed the Buddha in verse:

16.1“Kenesa yañño vipulo mahaggato,“Why doesn’t that sacrifice of theirs, <j>so abundant and magnificent,16.2Samena dinnassa na agghameti;equal the value of a moral person’s gift?16.3Kathaṁ sataṁ sahassānaṁ sahassayāginaṁ,How is it that a hundred thousand people <j>making a thousand sacrifices16.4Kalampi nāgghanti tathāvidhassa te”ti.isn’t worth a fraction of what’s offered by that sort?”

17.1“Dadanti heke visame niviṭṭhā,“Some give based on immorality—17.2Chetvā vadhitvā atha socayitvā;after slaying, killing, and tormenting.³17.3Sā dakkhiṇā assumukhā sadaṇḍā,Such an offering—tearful, violent—17.4Samena dinnassa na agghameti.in no way equals the value of a moral person’s gift.

18.1Evaṁ sataṁ sahassānaṁ sahassayāginaṁ,That’s how it is that a hundred thousand people <j>making a thousand sacrifices18.2Kalampi nāgghanti tathāvidhassa te”ti.isn’t worth a fraction of what’s offered by that sort.”