AN 8.47

Dutiyavisākhāsutta

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati pubbārāme migāramātupāsāde. Atha kho visākhā migāramātā …pe… ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho visākhaṁ migāramātaraṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

With Visākhā on the Agreeable Gods

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in the stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother in the Eastern Monastery. Then Visākhā, Migāra’s mother, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to her:

“Aṭṭhahi kho, visākhe, dhammehi samannāgato mātugāmo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā manāpakāyikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati. Katamehi aṭṭhahi? Idha, visākhe, mātugāmo yassa mātāpitaro bhattuno denti atthakāmā hitesino anukampakā anukampaṁ upādāya tassa hoti pubbuṭṭhāyinī pacchānipātinī kiṅkārapaṭissāvinī manāpacārinī piyavādinī …pe….

“Visākhā, when they have eight qualities ladies—when their body breaks up, after death—are reborn in company with the Gods of the Agreeable Host. What eight? Take the case of a lady whose mother and father give her to a husband wanting what’s best for her, out of kindness and sympathy. She would get up before him and go to bed after him, and be obliging, behaving nicely and speaking politely. …

Cāgavatī kho pana hoti. Vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati muttacāgā payatapāṇinī vossaggaratā yācayogā dānasaṁvibhāgaratā. Imehi kho, visākhe, aṭṭhahi dhammehi samannāgato mātugāmo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā manāpakāyikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjatīti.

She’s generous. She lives at home with heart rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share. When they possess these eight qualities ladies—when their body breaks up, after death—are reborn in company with the Gods of the Agreeable Host.

Yo naṁ bharati sabbadā, niccaṁ ātāpi ussuko; Taṁ sabbakāmadaṁ posaṁ, bhattāraṁ nātimaññati.

She’d never look down on her husband, who’s always eager to work hard, always looking after her, and bringing whatever she wants.

Na cāpi sotthi bhattāraṁ, issāvādena rosaye; Bhattu ca garuno sabbe, paṭipūjeti paṇḍitā.

And a good woman never scolds her husband with jealous words. Being astute, she reveres those respected by her husband.

Uṭṭhāhikā analasā, saṅgahitaparijjanā; Bhattu manāpaṁ carati, sambhataṁ anurakkhati.

She gets up early, works tirelessly, and manages the domestic help. She’s agreeable to her husband, and preserves his wealth.

Yā evaṁ vattati nārī, bhattu chandavasānugā; Manāpā nāma te devā, yattha sā upapajjatī”ti.

A lady who fulfills these duties according to her husband’s desire, is reborn among the gods called ‘Agreeable’.”