1.1Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.1.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosalesu viharati sundarikāya nadiyā tīre.At one time the Buddha was staying in the Kosalan lands on the bank of the Sundarikā River.¹1.3Tena kho pana samayena sundarikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo sundarikāya nadiyā tīre aggiṁ juhati, aggihuttaṁ paricarati.Now at that time the brahmin Bhāradvāja of Sundarikā was serving the sacred flame and performing the fire sacrifice on the bank of the Sundarikā.²1.4Atha kho sundarikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo aggiṁ juhitvā aggihuttaṁ paricaritvā uṭṭhāyāsanā samantā catuddisā anuvilokesi:Then he rose from his seat and surveyed the four quarters, wondering,1.5“ko nu kho imaṁ habyasesaṁ bhuñjeyyā”ti?“Now who might eat the leftovers of this oblation?”1.6Addasā kho sundarikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ avidūre aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle sasīsaṁ pārutaṁ nisinnaṁ;He saw the Buddha meditating at the root of a certain tree with his robe pulled over his head.1.7disvāna vāmena hatthena habyasesaṁ gahetvā dakkhiṇena hatthena kamaṇḍaluṁ gahetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami.Taking the leftovers of the oblation in his left hand and a pitcher in the right he approached the Buddha.

2.1Atha kho bhagavā sundarikabhāradvājassa brāhmaṇassa padasaddena sīsaṁ vivari.When he heard Bhāradvāja of Sundarikā’s footsteps the Buddha uncovered his head.2.2Atha kho sundarikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo: “muṇḍo ayaṁ bhavaṁ, muṇḍako ayaṁ bhavan”ti tatova puna nivattitukāmo ahosi.Bhāradvāja of Sundarikā thought, “This man is shaven, he is shaven!” And he wanted to turn back.2.3Atha kho sundarikabhāradvājassa brāhmaṇassa etadahosi:But he thought,2.4“muṇḍāpi hi idhekacce brāhmaṇā bhavanti, yannūnāhaṁ upasaṅkamitvā jātiṁ puccheyyan”ti.“Even some brahmins are shaven. Why don’t I go to him and ask about his birth?”2.5Atha kho sundarikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:Then the brahmin Bhāradvāja of Sundarikā went up to the Buddha, and said to him,2.6“kiṁjacco bhavan”ti?“Sir, what are you by birth?”

3.1Atha kho bhagavā sundarikabhāradvājaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ gāthāhi ajjhabhāsi:Then the Buddha addressed Bhāradvāja of Sundarikā in verse:

4.1“Na brāhmaṇo nomhi na rājaputto,“I am no brahmin, nor am I a ruler,³4.2Na vessāyano uda koci nomhi;nor peasant nor anything else.4.3Gottaṁ pariññāya puthujjanānaṁ,Fully understanding the clan of ordinary people,4.4Akiñcano manta carāmi loke.I wander in the world owning nothing, reflective.

5.1Saṅghāṭivāsī agaho carāmi,Clad in my cloak, I wander without home,5.2Nivuttakeso abhinibbutatto;my hair shorn, quenched.5.3Alippamāno idha māṇavehi,Since I’m unburdened by sons of Manu,⁴5.4Akallaṁ maṁ brāhmaṇa pucchasi gottapañhaṁ”.it’s inappropriate to ask me about clan.”

6.1“Pucchanti ve bho brāhmaṇā brāhmaṇebhi,“Actually sir, when brahmins meet they politely6.2Saha brāhmaṇo no bhavan”ti.ask each other whether they are brahmins.”

7.1“Brāhmaṇo hi ce tvaṁ brūsi,“Well, if you say that you’re a brahmin,7.2Mañca brūsi abrāhmaṇaṁ;and that I am not,7.3Taṁ taṁ sāvittiṁ pucchāmi,I shall question you on that Sāvitrī Prayer,⁵7.4Tipadaṁ catuvīsatakkharaṁ”.with its three lines and twenty-four syllables.”⁶

8.1“Kiṁ nissitā isayo manujā,“On what grounds have seers and men,8.2Khattiyā brāhmaṇā devatānaṁ;aristocrats and brahmins here in the world8.3Yaññamakappayiṁsu puthū idha loke”.performed so many different sacrifices to the gods?”

9.1“Yadantagū vedagū yaññakāle,“During a sacrifice, should a past-master, <j>a knowledge master,9.2Yassāhutiṁ labhe tassijjheti brūmi”.receive an oblation, it profits the donor, I say.”

10.1“Addhā hi tassa hutamijjhe,“Then clearly my oblation will be profitable,”10.2(iti brāhmaṇo)said the brahmin,10.3Yaṁ tādisaṁ vedagumaddasāma;“since I have met such a knowledge master.10.4Tumhādisānañhi adassanena,It’s because I’d never met anyone like you10.5Añño jano bhuñjati pūraḷāsaṁ”.that others ate the sacrificial cake.”⁷

11.1“Tasmātiha tvaṁ brāhmaṇa atthena,“So then, brahmin, since you have approached me11.2Atthiko upasaṅkamma puccha;as a seeker of the good, ask.⁸11.3Santaṁ vidhūmaṁ anīghaṁ nirāsaṁ,Perhaps you may find here someone intelligent,11.4Appevidha abhivinde sumedhaṁ”.peaceful, unclouded, untroubled, <j>with no need for hope.”

12.1“Yaññe ratohaṁ bho gotama,“Worthy Gotama, I like to sacrifice12.2Yaññaṁ yiṭṭhukāmo nāhaṁ pajānāmi;and wish to perform a sacrifice. Please advise me,12.3Anusāsatu maṁ bhavaṁ,for I do not understand12.4Yattha hutaṁ ijjhate brūhi me taṁ”.where an oblation is profitable; tell me this.”

13.1“Tena hi tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa, odahassu sotaṁ; dhammaṁ te desessāmi—“Well then, brahmin, listen up, I will teach you the Dhamma.

14.1Mā jātiṁ pucchī caraṇañca puccha,Don’t ask about birth, ask about conduct;14.2Kaṭṭhā have jāyati jātavedo;for the fire of Jātaveda is born from sticks.⁹14.3Nīcākulīnopi munī dhitīmā,A steadfast sage, even though from a low class family,14.4Ājāniyo hoti hirīnisedho.is a thoroughbred checked by conscience.

15.1Saccena danto damasā upeto,Tamed by truth, fulfilled by taming,15.2Vedantagū vūsitabrahmacariyo;a complete knowledge master <j>who has completed the spiritual journey—15.3Kālena tamhi habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit15.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

16.1Ye kāme hitvā agahā caranti,Those who have left sensuality behind, <j>wandering homeless,16.2Susaññatattā tasaraṁva ujjuṁ;self-controlled, straight as a shuttle—16.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit16.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

17.1Ye vītarāgā susamāhitindriyā,Those freed of greed, with senses stilled,17.2Candova rāhuggahaṇā pamuttā;like the moon released from the eclipse—17.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit17.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

18.1Asajjamānā vicaranti loke,They wander the world unobstructed,18.2Sadā satā hitvā mamāyitāni;always mindful, calling nothing their own—18.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit18.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

19.1Yo kāme hitvā abhibhuyyacārī,Having left sensuality behind, <j>wandering triumphant,19.2Yo vedi jātīmaraṇassa antaṁ;knowing the end of rebirth and death,19.3Parinibbuto udakarahadova sīto,quenched and cool as a lake:19.4Tathāgato arahati pūraḷāsaṁ.the Realized One is worthy of the sacrificial cake.

20.1Samo samehi visamehi dūre,Good among the good, far from the bad,20.2Tathāgato hoti anantapañño;the Realized One has infinite wisdom.20.3Anūpalitto idha vā huraṁ vā,Unsullied in this life and the next:20.4Tathāgato arahati pūraḷāsaṁ.the Realized One is worthy of the sacrificial cake.

21.1Yamhi na māyā vasati na māno,In whom dwells no deceit or conceit,21.2Yo vītalobho amamo nirāso;rid of greed, unselfish, <j>with no need for hope,21.3Paṇunnakodho abhinibbutatto,with anger cast aside, quenched,21.4Yo brāhmaṇo sokamalaṁ ahāsi;a brahmin rid of sorrow’s stain:21.5Tathāgato arahati pūraḷāsaṁ.the Realized One is worthy of the sacrificial cake.

22.1Nivesanaṁ yo manaso ahāsi,He has given up the mind’s home,22.2Pariggahā yassa na santi keci;and has no possessions at all.22.3Anupādiyāno idha vā huraṁ vā,Not grasping to this life or the next:22.4Tathāgato arahati pūraḷāsaṁ.the Realized One is worthy of the sacrificial cake.

23.1Samāhito yo udatāri oghaṁ,Serene, he has crossed the flood,23.2Dhammaṁ caññāsi paramāya diṭṭhiyā;and has understood the teaching with ultimate view.23.3Khīṇāsavo antimadehadhārī,With defilements ended, bearing his final body:23.4Tathāgato arahati pūraḷāsaṁ.the Realized One is worthy of the sacrificial cake.

24.1Bhavāsavā yassa vacī kharā ca,In whom desire to be reborn, and caustic speech24.2Vidhūpitā atthagatā na santi;are cleared and ended, and are no more;24.3Sa vedagū sabbadhi vippamutto,that knowledge master, everywhere free:24.4Tathāgato arahati pūraḷāsaṁ.the Realized One is worthy of the sacrificial cake.

25.1Saṅgātigo yassa na santi saṅgā,He has slipped his chains, he’s chained no more,25.2Yo mānasattesu amānasatto;among those caught in conceit he is free of conceit;25.3Dukkhaṁ pariññāya sakhettavatthuṁ,he has fully understood suffering <j>with its field and ground:25.4Tathāgato arahati pūraḷāsaṁ.the Realized One is worthy of the sacrificial cake.

26.1Āsaṁ anissāya vivekadassī,Not relying on hope, seeing seclusion,26.2Paravediyaṁ diṭṭhimupātivatto;well past the views proclaimed by others.26.3Ārammaṇā yassa na santi keci,In him there are no supporting conditions at all:26.4Tathāgato arahati pūraḷāsaṁ.the Realized One is worthy of the sacrificial cake.

27.1Paroparā yassa samecca dhammā,He has comprehended all things, high and low,27.2Vidhūpitā atthagatā na santi;cleared them and ended them, so they are no more.27.3Santo upādānakhaye vimutto,Peaceful, freed in the ending of grasping:27.4Tathāgato arahati pūraḷāsaṁ.the Realized One is worthy of the sacrificial cake.

28.1Saṁyojanaṁ jātikhayantadassī,He sees the ending of rebirth’s fetter,28.2Yopānudi rāgapathaṁ asesaṁ;and has cast aside all manner of desire.28.3Suddho nidoso vimalo akāco,Pure, stainless, immaculate, flawless:28.4Tathāgato arahati pūraḷāsaṁ.the Realized One is worthy of the sacrificial cake.

29.1Yo attano attānaṁ nānupassati,Not seeing himself in terms of a self,29.2Samāhito ujjugato ṭhitatto;he is stilled, sincere, and steadfast.29.3Sa ve anejo akhilo akaṅkho,Imperturbable, kind, wishless:29.4Tathāgato arahati pūraḷāsaṁ.the Realized One is worthy of the sacrificial cake.

30.1Mohantarā yassa na santi keci,He harbors no delusions within at all,30.2Sabbesu dhammesu ca ñāṇadassī;he has insight into all things.30.3Sarīrañca antimaṁ dhāreti,He bears his final body,30.4Patto ca sambodhimanuttaraṁ sivaṁ;attained to the state of grace, the supreme awakening.30.5Ettāvatā yakkhassa suddhi,That’s how the purity of a spirit is defined:¹⁰30.6Tathāgato arahati pūraḷāsaṁ”.the Realized One is worthy of the sacrificial cake.”

31.1“Hutañca mayhaṁ hutamatthu saccaṁ,“Let my oblation be a true offering,31.2Yaṁ tādisaṁ vedagunaṁ alatthaṁ;since I have found such a knowledge master!31.3Brahmā hi sakkhi paṭigaṇhātu me bhagavā,I see divinity in person! <j>Accept my offering, Blessed One:¹¹31.4Bhuñjatu me bhagavā pūraḷāsaṁ”.please eat my sacrificial cake.”

32.1“Gāthābhigītaṁ me abhojaneyyaṁ,“Food enchanted by a verse isn’t fit for me to eat.¹²32.2Sampassataṁ brāhmaṇa nesa dhammo;That’s not the principle of those who see, brahmin.32.3Gāthābhigītaṁ panudanti buddhā,The Buddhas cast aside things enchanted with verses.32.4Dhamme satī brāhmaṇa vuttiresā.Since there is such a principle, brahmin, <j>that’s how they live.

33.1Aññena ca kevalinaṁ mahesiṁ,Serve with other food and drink33.2Khīṇāsavaṁ kukkuccavūpasantaṁ;the consummate one, the great seer,33.3Annena pānena upaṭṭhahassu,with defilements ended and remorse stilled.33.4Khettañhi taṁ puññapekkhassa hoti”.For he is the field for the seeker of merit.”

34.1“Sādhāhaṁ bhagavā tathā vijaññaṁ,“Please, Blessed One, help me understand:34.2Yo dakkhiṇaṁ bhuñjeyya mādisassa;now that I have found your teaching,34.3Yaṁ yaññakāle pariyesamāno,when I look for someone during a sacrifice,34.4Pappuyya tava sāsanaṁ”.who should eat the <j>religious donation of one like me?”

35.1“Sārambhā yassa vigatā,“One who is rid of aggression,¹³35.2Cittaṁ yassa anāvilaṁ;whose mind is unclouded,35.3Vippamutto ca kāmehi,who is liberated from sensual pleasures,35.4Thinaṁ yassa panūditaṁ.and who has cast aside dullness.

36.1Sīmantānaṁ vinetāraṁ,One who has erased perimeters and limits,36.2Jātimaraṇakovidaṁ;expert in birth and death,36.3Muniṁ moneyyasampannaṁ,a sage, blessed with sagacity.36.4Tādisaṁ yaññamāgataṁ.When such a person comes to the sacrifice,

37.1Bhakuṭiṁ vinayitvāna,get rid of your scowl!37.2Pañjalikā namassatha;Honor them with cupped palms,37.3Pūjetha annapānena,and venerate them with food and drink,37.4Evaṁ ijjhanti dakkhiṇā”.and in this way your religious donation will succeed.”

38.1“Buddho bhavaṁ arahati pūraḷāsaṁ,“The Buddha is worthy of the sacrificial cake,38.2Puññakhettamanuttaraṁ;he is the supreme field of merit,38.3Āyāgo sabbalokassa,recipient of gifts from the whole world;38.4Bhoto dinnaṁ mahapphalan”ti.what’s given to the worthy one is very fruitful.”

39.1Atha kho sundarikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:Then the brahmin Bhāradvāja of Sundarikā said to the Buddha,39.2“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama, abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama.“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent!39.3Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhotā gotamena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, worthy Gotama has made the teaching clear in many ways.39.4Esāhaṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca.I go for refuge to the worthy Gotama, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha.39.5Labheyyāhaṁ bhoto gotamassa santike pabbajjaṁ, labheyyaṁ upasampadan”ti.May I receive the going forth, the ordination in the worthy Gotama’s presence?”39.6Alattha kho sundarikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo …pe…And the brahmin Bhāradvāja of Sundarikā received the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence.39.7arahataṁ ahosīti.And soon after, he became one of the perfected.

39.8Sundarikabhāradvājasuttaṁ catutthaṁ.