AN 5.193

Saṅgāravasutta

Atha kho saṅgāravo brāhmaṇo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho saṅgāravo brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “ko nu kho, bho gotama, hetu ko paccayo, yena kadāci dīgharattaṁ sajjhāyakatāpi mantā nappaṭibhanti, pageva asajjhāyakatā? Ko pana, bho gotama, hetu ko paccayo, yena kadāci dīgharattaṁ asajjhāyakatāpi mantā paṭibhanti, pageva sajjhāyakatā”ti?

With Saṅgārava

Then Saṅgārava the brahmin went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, Saṅgārava sat down to one side, and said to the Buddha: “What is the cause, Worthy Gotama, what is the reason why sometimes even hymns that are long-rehearsed don’t spring to mind, let alone those that are not rehearsed? And why is it that sometimes even hymns that are long-unrehearsed spring to mind, let alone those that are rehearsed?”

Yasmiṁ, brāhmaṇa, samaye kāmarāgapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati kāmarāgaparetena, uppannassa ca kāmarāgassa nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, attatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, paratthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, ubhayatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, dīgharattaṁ sajjhāyakatāpi mantā nappaṭibhanti, pageva asajjhāyakatā. Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, udapatto saṁsaṭṭho lākhāya vā haliddiyā vā nīliyā vā mañjiṭṭhāya vā. Tattha cakkhumā puriso sakaṁ mukhanimittaṁ paccavekkhamāno yathābhūtaṁ nappajāneyya na passeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye kāmarāgapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati kāmarāgaparetena, uppannassa ca kāmarāgassa nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, attatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, paratthampi …pe… ubhayatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, dīgharattaṁ sajjhāyakatāpi mantā nappaṭibhanti, pageva asajjhāyakatā.

“Brahmin, there’s a time when your heart is overcome and mired in sensual desire and you don’t truly understand the escape from sensual desire that has arisen. At that time you don’t truly know or see what is good for yourself, good for another, or good for both. Even hymns that are long-rehearsed don’t spring to mind, let alone those that are not rehearsed. Suppose there was a bowl of water that was mixed with dye such as red lac, turmeric, indigo, or rose madder. Even a person with clear eyes checking their own reflection wouldn’t truly know it or see it. In the same way, when your heart is overcome and mired in sensual desire … Even hymns that are long-rehearsed don’t spring to mind, let alone those that are not rehearsed.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye byāpādapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati byāpādaparetena, uppannassa ca byāpādassa nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, attatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, paratthampi …pe… ubhayatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, dīgharattaṁ sajjhāyakatāpi mantā nappaṭibhanti, pageva asajjhāyakatā. Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, udapatto agginā santatto ukkudhito ussadakajāto. Tattha cakkhumā puriso sakaṁ mukhanimittaṁ paccavekkhamāno yathābhūtaṁ nappajāneyya na passeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye byāpādapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati byāpādaparetena, uppannassa ca byāpādassa nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, attatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, paratthampi …pe… ubhayatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, dīgharattaṁ sajjhāyakatāpi mantā nappaṭibhanti, pageva asajjhāyakatā.

Furthermore, when your heart is overcome and mired in ill will … Even hymns that are long-rehearsed don’t spring to mind, let alone those that are not rehearsed. Suppose there was a bowl of water that was heated by fire, boiling and bubbling. Even a person with clear eyes checking their own reflection wouldn’t truly know it or see it. In the same way, when your heart is overcome and mired in ill will … Even hymns that are long-rehearsed don’t spring to mind, let alone those that are not rehearsed.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye thinamiddhapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati thinamiddhaparetena, uppannassa ca thinamiddhassa nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, attatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, paratthampi …pe… ubhayatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, dīgharattaṁ sajjhāyakatāpi mantā nappaṭibhanti, pageva asajjhāyakatā. Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, udapatto sevālapaṇakapariyonaddho. Tattha cakkhumā puriso sakaṁ mukhanimittaṁ paccavekkhamāno yathābhūtaṁ nappajāneyya na passeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye thinamiddhapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati thinamiddhaparetena, uppannassa ca thinamiddhassa nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, attatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, paratthampi …pe… ubhayatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, dīgharattaṁ sajjhāyakatāpi mantā nappaṭibhanti, pageva asajjhāyakatā.

Furthermore, when your heart is overcome and mired in dullness and drowsiness … Even hymns that are long-rehearsed don’t spring to mind, let alone those that are not rehearsed. Suppose there was a bowl of water overgrown with moss and aquatic plants. Even a person with clear eyes checking their own reflection wouldn’t truly know it or see it. In the same way, when your heart is overcome and mired in dullness and drowsiness … Even hymns that are long-rehearsed don’t spring to mind, let alone those that are not rehearsed.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye uddhaccakukkuccapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati uddhaccakukkuccaparetena, uppannassa ca uddhaccakukkuccassa nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, attatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, paratthampi …pe… ubhayatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, dīgharattaṁ sajjhāyakatāpi mantā nappaṭibhanti, pageva asajjhāyakatā. Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, udapatto vāterito calito bhanto ūmijāto. Tattha cakkhumā puriso sakaṁ mukhanimittaṁ paccavekkhamāno yathābhūtaṁ nappajāneyya na passeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye uddhaccakukkuccapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati uddhaccakukkuccaparetena, uppannassa ca uddhaccakukkuccassa nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, attatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, paratthampi …pe… ubhayatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, dīgharattaṁ sajjhāyakatāpi mantā nappaṭibhanti, pageva asajjhāyakatā.

Furthermore, when your heart is overcome and mired in restlessness and remorse … Even hymns that are long-rehearsed don’t spring to mind, let alone those that are not rehearsed. Suppose there was a bowl of water stirred by the wind, quivering, swirling, and rippling. Even a person with clear eyes checking their own reflection wouldn’t truly know it or see it. In the same way, when your heart is overcome and mired in restlessness and remorse … Even hymns that are long-rehearsed don’t spring to mind, let alone those that are not rehearsed.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye vicikicchāpariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati vicikicchāparetena, uppannāya ca vicikicchāya nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, attatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, paratthampi …pe… ubhayatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, dīgharattaṁ sajjhāyakatāpi mantā nappaṭibhanti, pageva asajjhāyakatā. Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, udapatto āvilo luḷito kalalībhūto andhakāre nikkhitto. Tattha cakkhumā puriso sakaṁ mukhanimittaṁ paccavekkhamāno yathābhūtaṁ nappajāneyya na passeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye vicikicchāpariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati vicikicchāparetena, uppannāya ca vicikicchāya nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, attatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, paratthampi …pe… ubhayatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti na passati, dīgharattaṁ sajjhāyakatāpi mantā nappaṭibhanti, pageva asajjhāyakatā.

Furthermore, when your heart is overcome and mired in doubt … Even hymns that are long-rehearsed don’t spring to mind, let alone those that are not rehearsed. Suppose there was a bowl of water that was cloudy, murky, and muddy, hidden in the darkness. Even a person with clear eyes checking their own reflection wouldn’t truly know it or see it. In the same way, there’s a time when your heart is overcome and mired in doubt and you don’t truly understand the escape from doubt that has arisen. At that time you don’t truly know or see what is good for yourself, good for another, or good for both. Even hymns that are long-rehearsed don’t spring to mind, let alone those that are not rehearsed.

Yasmiñca kho, brāhmaṇa, samaye na kāmarāgapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati na kāmarāgaparetena, uppannassa ca kāmarāgassa nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, attatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti passati, paratthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti passati, ubhayatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti passati, dīgharattaṁ asajjhāyakatāpi mantā paṭibhanti, pageva sajjhāyakatā. Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, udapatto asaṁsaṭṭho lākhāya vā haliddiyā vā nīliyā vā mañjiṭṭhāya vā. Tattha cakkhumā puriso sakaṁ mukhanimittaṁ paccavekkhamāno yathābhūtaṁ pajāneyya passeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye na kāmarāgapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati …pe….

There’s a time when your heart is not overcome and mired in sensual desire and you truly understand the escape from sensual desire that has arisen. At that time you truly know and see what is good for yourself, good for another, and good for both. Even hymns that are long-unrehearsed spring to mind, let alone those that are rehearsed. Suppose there was a bowl of water that was not mixed with dye such as red lac, turmeric, indigo, or rose madder. A person with clear eyes checking their own reflection would truly know it and see it. In the same way, when your heart is not overcome and mired in sensual desire … Even hymns that are long-unpracticed spring to mind, let alone those that are practiced.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye na byāpādapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati …pe… seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, udapatto agginā asantatto anukkudhito anussadakajāto. Tattha cakkhumā puriso sakaṁ mukhanimittaṁ paccavekkhamāno yathābhūtaṁ pajāneyya passeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye na byāpādapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati …pe….

Furthermore, when your heart is not overcome and mired in ill will … Even hymns that are long-unpracticed spring to mind, let alone those that are practiced. Suppose there was a bowl of water that’s not heated by a fire, boiling and bubbling. A person with clear eyes checking their own reflection would truly know it and see it. In the same way, when your heart is not overcome and mired in ill will … Even hymns that are long-unpracticed spring to mind, let alone those that are practiced.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye na thinamiddhapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati …pe… seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, udapatto na sevālapaṇakapariyonaddho. Tattha cakkhumā puriso sakaṁ mukhanimittaṁ paccavekkhamāno yathābhūtaṁ pajāneyya passeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye na thinamiddhapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati …pe….

Furthermore, when your heart is not overcome and mired in dullness and drowsiness … Even hymns that are long-unpracticed spring to mind, let alone those that are practiced. Suppose there was a bowl of water that’s not overgrown with moss and aquatic plants. A person with clear eyes checking their own reflection would truly know it and see it. In the same way, when your heart is not overcome and mired in dullness and drowsiness … Even hymns that are long-unpracticed spring to mind, let alone those that are practiced.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye na uddhaccakukkuccapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati …pe… seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, udapatto na vāterito na calito na bhanto na ūmijāto. Tattha cakkhumā puriso sakaṁ mukhanimittaṁ paccavekkhamāno yathābhūtaṁ pajāneyya passeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye na uddhaccakukkuccapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati …pe….

Furthermore, when your heart is not overcome and mired in restlessness and remorse … Even hymns that are long-unpracticed spring to mind, let alone those that are practiced. Suppose there was a bowl of water that’s not stirred by the wind, quivering, swirling, and rippling. A person with clear eyes checking their own reflection would truly know it and see it. In the same way, when your heart is not overcome and mired in restlessness and remorse … Even hymns that are long-unpracticed spring to mind, let alone those that are practiced.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye na vicikicchāpariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati na vicikicchāparetena, uppannāya ca vicikicchāya nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, attatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti passati, paratthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti passati, ubhayatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti passati, dīgharattaṁ asajjhāyakatāpi mantā paṭibhanti, pageva sajjhāyakatā. Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, udapatto accho vippasanno anāvilo āloke nikkhitto. Tattha cakkhumā puriso sakaṁ mukhanimittaṁ paccavekkhamāno yathābhūtaṁ pajāneyya passeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, yasmiṁ samaye na vicikicchāpariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati na vicikicchāparetena, uppannāya ca vicikicchāya nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, attatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti passati, paratthampi …pe… ubhayatthampi tasmiṁ samaye yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti passati, dīgharattaṁ asajjhāyakatāpi mantā paṭibhanti, pageva sajjhāyakatā.

Furthermore, when your heart is not overcome and mired in doubt … Even hymns that are long-unrehearsed spring to mind, let alone those that are rehearsed. Suppose there was a bowl of water that’s transparent, clear, and unclouded, brought into the light. A person with clear eyes checking their own reflection would truly know it and see it. In the same way, there’s a time when your heart is not overcome and mired in doubt and you truly understand the escape from doubt that has arisen. At that time you truly know and see what is good for yourself, good for another, and good for both. Even hymns that are long-unrehearsed spring to mind, let alone those that are rehearsed.

Ayaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, hetu ayaṁ paccayo, yena kadāci dīgharattaṁ sajjhāyakatāpi mantā nappaṭibhanti, pageva asajjhāyakatā. Ayaṁ pana, brāhmaṇa, hetu ayaṁ paccayo, yena kadāci dīgharattaṁ asajjhāyakatāpi mantā paṭibhanti, pageva sajjhāyakatā”ti.

This is the cause, brahmin, this is the reason why sometimes even hymns that are long-rehearsed don’t spring to mind, let alone those that are not rehearsed. And this is why sometimes even hymns that are long-unrehearsed spring to mind, let alone those that are rehearsed.”

“Abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe… upāsakaṁ maṁ bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.

“Excellent, worthy Gotama! … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”