1.1Tena kho pana samayena raññā pasenadinā kosalena mahājanakāyo bandhāpito hoti, appekacce rajjūhi appekacce andūhi appekacce saṅkhalikāhi.Now at that time a large group of people had been put in shackles by King Pasenadi of Kosala—some in ropes, some in manacles, some in chains.¹

2.1Atha kho sambahulā bhikkhū pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pavisiṁsu.Then several mendicants robed up in the morning and, taking their bowls and robes, entered Sāvatthī for alms.2.2Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkantā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:Then, after the meal, when they returned from almsround, they went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what was happening.2.3“idha, bhante, raññā pasenadinā kosalena mahājanakāyo bandhāpito, appekacce rajjūhi appekacce andūhi appekacce saṅkhalikāhī”ti.

3.1Atha kho bhagavā etamatthaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imā gāthāyo abhāsi:Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha recited these verses:

4.1“Na taṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā,∥“The attentive say that shackle is not strong4.2Yadāyasaṁ dārujaṁ pabbajañca;that’s made of iron, wood, or knots.4.3Sārattarattā maṇikuṇḍalesu,But obsession with jeweled earrings,4.4Puttesu dāresu ca yā apekkhā.concern for your partners and children:

5.1Etaṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā,∥this, say the attentive, is a strong shackle5.2Ohārinaṁ sithilaṁ duppamuñcaṁ;dragging the indulgent down, hard to escape.5.3Etampi chetvāna paribbajanti,Having cut this one too they go forth,5.4Anapekkhino kāmasukhaṁ pahāyā”ti.unconcerned, having given up sensual pleasures.”

5.5Paṭhamo vaggo.

6.0Tassuddānaṁ

6.1Daharo puriso jarā,6.2piyaṁ attānarakkhito;6.3Appakā aḍḍakaraṇaṁ,6.4mallikā yaññabandhananti.