Sutta Piṭaka
Mahāsudassanasutta
Mahāsudassanasutta
Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kusinārāyaṁ viharati upavattane mallānaṁ sālavane antarena yamakasālānaṁ parinibbānasamaye.
King Mahāsudassana
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying between a pair of sal trees in the sal forest of the Mallas at Upavattana near Kusinārā at the time of his full extinguishment.
Atha kho āyasmā ānando yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā ānando bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “mā, bhante, bhagavā imasmiṁ khuddakanagarake ujjaṅgalanagarake sākhānagarake parinibbāyi. Santi, bhante, aññāni mahānagarāni. Seyyathidaṁ—campā, rājagahaṁ, sāvatthi, sāketaṁ, kosambī, bārāṇasī; ettha bhagavā parinibbāyatu. Ettha bahū khattiyamahāsālā brāhmaṇamahāsālā gahapatimahāsālā tathāgate abhippasannā, te tathāgatassa sarīrapūjaṁ karissantī”ti.
Then Venerable Ānanda went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, please don’t be fully extinguished in this little hamlet, this jungle hamlet, this branch hamlet. There are other great cities such as Campā, Rājagaha, Sāvatthī, Sāketa, Kosambī, and Varanasi. Let the Buddha be fully extinguished there. There are many well-to-do aristocrats, brahmins, and householders there who are devoted to the Buddha. They will perform the rites of venerating the Realized One’s corpse.”
“Mā hevaṁ, ānanda, avaca; mā hevaṁ, ānanda, avaca: ‘khuddakanagarakaṁ ujjaṅgalanagarakaṁ sākhānagarakan’ti. Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano nāma ahosi khattiyo muddhāvasitto cāturanto vijitāvī janapadatthāvariyappatto. Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa ayaṁ kusinārā kusāvatī nāma rājadhānī ahosi. Puratthimena ca pacchimena ca dvādasayojanāni āyāmena, uttarena ca dakkhiṇena ca sattayojanāni vitthārena. Kusāvatī, ānanda, rājadhānī iddhā ceva ahosi phītā ca bahujanā ca ākiṇṇamanussā ca subhikkhā ca. Seyyathāpi, ānanda, devānaṁ āḷakamandā nāma rājadhānī iddhā ceva hoti phītā ca bahujanā ca ākiṇṇayakkhā ca subhikkhā ca; evameva kho, ānanda, kusāvatī rājadhānī iddhā ceva ahosi phītā ca bahujanā ca ākiṇṇamanussā ca subhikkhā ca. Kusāvatī, ānanda, rājadhānī dasahi saddehi avivittā ahosi divā ceva rattiñca, seyyathidaṁ— hatthisaddena assasaddena rathasaddena bherisaddena mudiṅgasaddena vīṇāsaddena gītasaddena saṅkhasaddena sammasaddena pāṇitāḷasaddena ‘asnātha pivatha khādathā’ti dasamena saddena.
“Don’t say that, Ānanda! Don’t say that this is a little hamlet, a jungle hamlet, a branch hamlet. Once upon a time, there was a king named Mahāsudassana whose dominion extended to all four sides, and who achieved stability in the country. His capital was this Kusinārā, which at the time was named Kusāvatī. It stretched for twelve leagues from east to west, and seven leagues from north to south. The royal capital of Kusāvatī was successful and prosperous, populous and full of people, with plenty of food. It was just like Āḷakamandā, the royal capital of the gods, which is successful and prosperous, populous and full of spirits, with plenty of food. Kusāvatī was never free of ten sounds by day or night, namely: the sound of elephants, horses, chariots, drums, clay drums, arched harps, singing, horns, gongs, and handbells; and the cry, ‘Eat, drink, be merry!’ as the tenth.
Kusāvatī, ānanda, rājadhānī sattahi pākārehi parikkhittā ahosi. Eko pākāro sovaṇṇamayo, eko rūpiyamayo, eko veḷuriyamayo, eko phalikamayo, eko lohitaṅkamayo, eko masāragallamayo, eko sabbaratanamayo.
Kusāvatī was encircled by seven ramparts: one made of gold, one made of silver, one made of beryl, one made of crystal, one made of ruby, one made of emerald, and one made of all precious things.
Kusāvatiyā, ānanda, rājadhāniyā catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ dvārāni ahesuṁ. Ekaṁ dvāraṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ. Ekekasmiṁ dvāre satta satta esikā nikhātā ahesuṁ tiporisaṅgā tiporisanikhātā dvādasaporisā ubbedhena. Ekā esikā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā, ekā lohitaṅkamayā, ekā masāragallamayā, ekā sabbaratanamayā.
It had four gates, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. At each gate there were seven pillars, three fathoms deep and four fathoms high, made of gold, silver, beryl, crystal, ruby, emerald, and all precious things.
Kusāvatī, ānanda, rājadhānī sattahi tālapantīhi parikkhittā ahosi. Ekā tālapanti sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā, ekā lohitaṅkamayā, ekā masāragallamayā, ekā sabbaratanamayā. Sovaṇṇamayassa tālassa sovaṇṇamayo khandho ahosi, rūpiyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Rūpiyamayassa tālassa rūpiyamayo khandho ahosi, sovaṇṇamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Veḷuriyamayassa tālassa veḷuriyamayo khandho ahosi, phalikamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Phalikamayassa tālassa phalikamayo khandho ahosi, veḷuriyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Lohitaṅkamayassa tālassa lohitaṅkamayo khandho ahosi, masāragallamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Masāragallamayassa tālassa masāragallamayo khandho ahosi, lohitaṅkamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Sabbaratanamayassa tālassa sabbaratanamayo khandho ahosi, sabbaratanamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Tāsaṁ kho panānanda, tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca. Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pañcaṅgikassa tūriyassa suvinītassa suppaṭitāḷitassa sukusalehi samannāhatassa saddo hoti vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca; evameva kho, ānanda, tāsaṁ tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca. Ye kho panānanda, tena samayena kusāvatiyā rājadhāniyā dhuttā ahesuṁ soṇḍā pipāsā, te tāsaṁ tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddena paricāresuṁ.
It was surrounded by seven rows of palm trees, made of gold, silver, beryl, crystal, ruby, emerald, and all precious things. The golden palms had trunks of gold, and leaves and fruits of silver. The silver palms had trunks of silver, and leaves and fruits of gold. The beryl palms had trunks of beryl, and leaves and fruits of crystal. The crystal palms had trunks of crystal, and leaves and fruits of beryl. The ruby palms had trunks of ruby, and leaves and fruits of emerald. The emerald palms had trunks of emerald, and leaves and fruits of ruby. The palms of all precious things had trunks of all precious things, and leaves and fruits of all precious things. When those rows of palm trees were blown by the wind they sounded graceful, tantalizing, sensuous, lovely, and intoxicating, like a quintet made up of skilled musicians who had practiced well and kept excellent rhythm. And any addicts, carousers, or drunkards in Kusāvatī at that time were entertained by that sound.
2. Sattaratanasamannāgata 2.1. Cakkaratana
Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano sattahi ratanehi samannāgato ahosi catūhi ca iddhīhi. Katamehi sattahi? Idhānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa tadahuposathe pannarase sīsaṁnhātassa uposathikassa uparipāsādavaragatassa dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pāturahosi sahassāraṁ sanemikaṁ sanābhikaṁ sabbākāraparipūraṁ. Disvā rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ: “yassa rañño khattiyassa muddhāvasittassa tadahuposathe pannarase sīsaṁnhātassa uposathikassa uparipāsādavaragatassa dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pātubhavati sahassāraṁ sanemikaṁ sanābhikaṁ sabbākāraparipūraṁ, so hoti rājā cakkavattī”ti. Assaṁ nu kho ahaṁ rājā cakkavattī’ti.
2. The Seven Treasures 2.1. The Wheel-Treasure
King Mahāsudassana possessed seven treasures and four blessings. What seven? On a fifteenth day sabbath, King Mahāsudassana had bathed his head and gone upstairs in the royal longhouse to observe the sabbath. And the heavenly wheel-treasure appeared to him, with a thousand spokes, with rim and hub, complete in every detail. Seeing this, the king thought, ‘I have heard that when the heavenly wheel-treasure appears to a king in this way, he becomes a wheel-turning monarch. Am I then a wheel-turning monarch?’
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano uṭṭhāyāsanā ekaṁsaṁ uttarāsaṅgaṁ karitvā vāmena hatthena suvaṇṇabhiṅkāraṁ gahetvā dakkhiṇena hatthena cakkaratanaṁ abbhukkiri: ‘pavattatu bhavaṁ cakkaratanaṁ, abhivijinātu bhavaṁ cakkaratanan’ti. Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, cakkaratanaṁ puratthimaṁ disaṁ pavatti, anvadeva rājā mahāsudassano saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya, yasmiṁ kho panānanda, padese cakkaratanaṁ patiṭṭhāsi, tattha rājā mahāsudassano vāsaṁ upagacchi saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya.
Then King Mahāsudassana, rising from his seat and arranging his robe over one shoulder, took a ceremonial vase in his left hand and besprinkled the wheel-treasure with his right hand, saying: ‘Roll forth, O wheel-treasure! Triumph, O wheel-treasure!’ Then the wheel-treasure rolled toward the east. And the king followed it together with his army of four divisions. In whatever place the wheel-treasure stood still, there the king came to stay together with his army.
Ye kho panānanda, puratthimāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu: ‘ehi kho, mahārāja, svāgataṁ te, mahārāja, sakaṁ te, mahārāja, anusāsa, mahārājā’ti. Rājā mahāsudassano evamāha: ‘pāṇo na hantabbo, adinnaṁ na ādātabbaṁ, kāmesu micchā na caritabbā, musā na bhaṇitabbā, majjaṁ na pātabbaṁ, yathābhuttañca bhuñjathā’ti. Ye kho panānanda, puratthimāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rañño mahāsudassanassa anuyantā ahesuṁ.
And any opposing rulers of the eastern quarter came to him and said, ‘Come, Great King! Welcome, Great King! We are yours, Great King, instruct us.’ The king said, ‘Do not kill living creatures. Do not steal. Do not commit sexual misconduct. Do not lie. Do not drink liquor. Maintain the current level of taxation.’ And so the opposing rulers of the eastern quarter became his vassals.
Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, cakkaratanaṁ puratthimaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā dakkhiṇaṁ disaṁ pavatti …pe… dakkhiṇaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā pacchimaṁ disaṁ pavatti …pe… pacchimaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā uttaraṁ disaṁ pavatti, anvadeva rājā mahāsudassano saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya. Yasmiṁ kho panānanda, padese cakkaratanaṁ patiṭṭhāsi, tattha rājā mahāsudassano vāsaṁ upagacchi saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya. Ye kho panānanda, uttarāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu: ‘ehi kho, mahārāja, svāgataṁ te, mahārāja, sakaṁ te, mahārāja, anusāsa, mahārājā’ti. Rājā mahāsudassano evamāha: ‘pāṇo na hantabbo, adinnaṁ na ādātabbaṁ, kāmesu micchā na caritabbā, musā na bhaṇitabbā, majjaṁ na pātabbaṁ, yathābhuttañca bhuñjathā’ti. Ye kho panānanda, uttarāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rañño mahāsudassanassa anuyantā ahesuṁ.
Then the wheel-treasure, having plunged into the eastern ocean and emerged again, rolled toward the south. … Having plunged into the southern ocean and emerged again, it rolled toward the west. … Having plunged into the western ocean and emerged again, it rolled toward the north, followed by the king together with his army of four divisions. In whatever place the wheel-treasure stood still, there the king came to stay together with his army. And any opposing rulers of the northern quarter came to him and said, ‘Come, Great King! Welcome, Great King! We are yours, Great King, instruct us.’ The king said, ‘Do not kill living creatures. Do not steal. Do not commit sexual misconduct. Do not lie. Do not drink liquor. Maintain the current level of taxation.’ And so the opposing rulers of the northern quarter became his vassals.
Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, cakkaratanaṁ samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ abhivijinitvā kusāvatiṁ rājadhāniṁ paccāgantvā rañño mahāsudassanassa antepuradvāre atthakaraṇapamukhe akkhāhataṁ maññe aṭṭhāsi rañño mahāsudassanassa antepuraṁ upasobhayamānaṁ. Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pāturahosi.
And then the wheel-treasure, having triumphed over this land surrounded by ocean, returned to the royal capital. There it stood still by the gate to the royal compound at the High Court as if fixed to an axle, illuminating the royal compound. Such is the wheel-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
2.2. Hatthiratana
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa hatthiratanaṁ pāturahosi sabbaseto sattappatiṭṭho iddhimā vehāsaṅgamo uposatho nāma nāgarājā. Taṁ disvā rañño mahāsudassanassa cittaṁ pasīdi: ‘bhaddakaṁ vata bho hatthiyānaṁ, sace damathaṁ upeyyā’ti. Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, hatthiratanaṁ—seyyathāpi nāma gandhahatthājāniyo dīgharattaṁ suparidanto; evameva damathaṁ upagacchi. Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tameva hatthiratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno pubbaṇhasamayaṁ abhiruhitvā samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ anuyāyitvā kusāvatiṁ rājadhāniṁ paccāgantvā pātarāsamakāsi. Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ hatthiratanaṁ pāturahosi.
2.2. The Elephant-Treasure
Next, the elephant-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana. It was an all-white sky-walker with psychic power, touching the ground in seven places, a king of elephants named Sabbath. Seeing him, the king was impressed, ‘This would truly be a fine elephant vehicle, if he would submit to taming.’ Then the elephant-treasure submitted to taming, as if he was a fine thoroughbred elephant that had been tamed for a long time. Once it so happened that King Mahāsudassana, testing that same elephant-treasure, mounted him in the morning and traversed the land surrounded by ocean before returning to the royal capital in time for breakfast. Such is the elephant-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
2.3. Assaratana
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa assaratanaṁ pāturahosi sabbaseto kāḷasīso muñjakeso iddhimā vehāsaṅgamo valāhako nāma assarājā. Taṁ disvā rañño mahāsudassanassa cittaṁ pasīdi: ‘bhaddakaṁ vata bho assayānaṁ sace damathaṁ upeyyā’ti. Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, assaratanaṁ seyyathāpi nāma bhaddo assājāniyo dīgharattaṁ suparidanto; evameva damathaṁ upagacchi. Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tameva assaratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno pubbaṇhasamayaṁ abhiruhitvā samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ anuyāyitvā kusāvatiṁ rājadhāniṁ paccāgantvā pātarāsamakāsi. Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ assaratanaṁ pāturahosi.
2.3. The Horse-Treasure
Next, the horse-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana. It was an all-white sky-walker with psychic power, with head of black and mane like woven reeds, a royal steed named Thundercloud. Seeing him, the king was impressed, ‘This would truly be a fine horse vehicle, if he would submit to taming.’ Then the horse-treasure submitted to taming, as if he was a fine thoroughbred horse that had been tamed for a long time. Once it so happened that King Mahāsudassana, testing that same horse-treasure, mounted him in the morning and traversed the land surrounded by ocean before returning to the royal capital in time for breakfast. Such is the horse-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
2.4. Maṇiratana
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa maṇiratanaṁ pāturahosi. So ahosi maṇi veḷuriyo subho jātimā aṭṭhaṁso suparikammakato accho vippasanno anāvilo sabbākārasampanno. Tassa kho panānanda, maṇiratanassa ābhā samantā yojanaṁ phuṭā ahosi. Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tameva maṇiratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno caturaṅginiṁ senaṁ sannayhitvā maṇiṁ dhajaggaṁ āropetvā rattandhakāratimisāya pāyāsi. Ye kho panānanda, samantā gāmā ahesuṁ, te tenobhāsena kammante payojesuṁ divāti maññamānā. Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ maṇiratanaṁ pāturahosi.
2.4. The Jewel-Treasure
Next, the jewel-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana. It was a beryl gem that was naturally lustrous, eight-faceted, well-worked, transparent, clear, and unclouded, endowed with all good qualities. And the radiance of that jewel spread all-round for a league. Once it so happened that King Mahāsudassana, testing that same jewel-treasure, mobilized his army of four divisions and, with the jewel hoisted on his banner, set out in the dark of the night. Then the villagers around them set off to work, thinking that it was day. Such is the jewel-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
2.5. Itthiratana
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa itthiratanaṁ pāturahosi abhirūpā dassanīyā pāsādikā paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgatā nātidīghā nātirassā nātikisā nātithūlā nātikāḷikā nāccodātā atikkantā mānusivaṇṇaṁ appattā dibbavaṇṇaṁ. Tassa kho panānanda, itthiratanassa evarūpo kāyasamphasso hoti, seyyathāpi nāma tūlapicuno vā kappāsapicuno vā. Tassa kho panānanda, itthiratanassa sīte uṇhāni gattāni honti, uṇhe sītāni. Tassa kho panānanda, itthiratanassa kāyato candanagandho vāyati, mukhato uppalagandho. Taṁ kho panānanda, itthiratanaṁ rañño mahāsudassanassa pubbuṭṭhāyinī ahosi pacchānipātinī kiṅkārapaṭissāvinī manāpacārinī piyavādinī. Taṁ kho panānanda, itthiratanaṁ rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ manasāpi no aticari, kuto pana kāyena. Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ itthiratanaṁ pāturahosi.
2.5. The Woman-Treasure
Next, the woman-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana. She was attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty. She was neither too tall nor too short; neither too thin nor too fat; neither too dark nor too light. She outdid human beauty without reaching heavenly beauty. And her touch was like a tuft of cotton-wool or kapok. When it was cool her limbs were warm, and when it was warm her limbs were cool. The fragrance of sandal floated from her body, and lotus from her mouth. She got up before the king and went to bed after him, and was obliging, behaving nicely and speaking politely. The woman-treasure did not betray the wheel-turning monarch even in thought, still less in deed. Such is the woman-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
2.6. Gahapatiratana
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa gahapatiratanaṁ pāturahosi. Tassa kammavipākajaṁ dibbacakkhu pāturahosi yena nidhiṁ passati sassāmikampi assāmikampi. So rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāha: ‘appossukko tvaṁ, deva, hohi, ahaṁ te dhanena dhanakaraṇīyaṁ karissāmī’ti. Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tameva gahapatiratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno nāvaṁ abhiruhitvā majjhe gaṅgāya nadiyā sotaṁ ogāhitvā gahapatiratanaṁ etadavoca: ‘attho me, gahapati, hiraññasuvaṇṇenā’ti. ‘Tena hi, mahārāja, ekaṁ tīraṁ nāvā upetū’ti. ‘Idheva me, gahapati, attho hiraññasuvaṇṇenā’ti. Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, gahapatiratanaṁ ubhohi hatthehi udakaṁ omasitvā pūraṁ hiraññasuvaṇṇassa kumbhiṁ uddharitvā rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ etadavoca: ‘alamettāvatā, mahārāja, katamettāvatā, mahārāja, pūjitamettāvatā, mahārājā’ti? Rājā mahāsudassano evamāha: ‘alamettāvatā, gahapati, katamettāvatā, gahapati, pūjitamettāvatā, gahapatī’ti. Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ gahapatiratanaṁ pāturahosi.
2.6. The Householder-Treasure
Next, the householder-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana. The power of clairvoyance manifested in him as a result of past deeds, by which he sees treasure troves, both owned and ownerless. He approached the king and said, ‘Relax, Your Majesty. I will take care of the treasury.’ Once it so happened that the wheel-turning monarch, testing that same householder-treasure, boarded a boat and sailed to the middle of the Ganges River. Then he said to the householder-treasure, ‘Householder, I need gold, both coined and uncoined.’ ‘Well then, Great King, draw the boat up to one shore.’ ‘It’s right here, householder, that I need gold, both coined and uncoined.’ Then that householder-treasure, immersing both hands in the water, pulled up a pot full of gold, both coined and uncoined, and said to the king, ‘Is this sufficient, Great King? Has enough been done, Great King, enough offered?’ The king said, ‘That is sufficient, householder. Enough has been done, enough offered.’ Such is the householder-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
2.7. Pariṇāyakaratana
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa pariṇāyakaratanaṁ pāturahosi paṇḍito viyatto medhāvī paṭibalo rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upayāpetabbaṁ upayāpetuṁ, apayāpetabbaṁ apayāpetuṁ, ṭhapetabbaṁ ṭhapetuṁ. So rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāha: ‘appossukko tvaṁ, deva, hohi, ahamanusāsissāmī’ti. Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ pariṇāyakaratanaṁ pāturahosi. Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imehi sattahi ratanehi samannāgato ahosi. Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano catūhi iddhīhi samannāgato ahosi. Katamāhi catūhi iddhīhi? Idhānanda, rājā mahāsudassano abhirūpo ahosi dassanīyo pāsādiko paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgato ativiya aññehi manussehi. Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāya paṭhamāya iddhiyā samannāgato ahosi.
2.7. The Commander-Treasure
Next, the commander-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana. He is astute, competent, intelligent, and capable regarding who should be ushered in to the king’s presence, who should be ushered out, and who should be kept by his side. He approached the king and said, ‘Relax, Your Majesty. I shall issue instructions.’ Such is the commander-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana. These are the seven treasures possessed by King Mahāsudassana. King Mahāsudassana possessed four blessings. And what are the four blessings? He was attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty, more so than other humans. This is the first blessing.
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano dīghāyuko ahosi ciraṭṭhitiko ativiya aññehi manussehi. Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāya dutiyāya iddhiyā samannāgato ahosi.
Furthermore, he was long-lived, more so than other humans. This is the second blessing.
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano appābādho ahosi appātaṅko samavepākiniyā gahaṇiyā samannāgato nātisītāya nāccuṇhāya ativiya aññehi manussehi. Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāya tatiyāya iddhiyā samannāgato ahosi.
Furthermore, he was rarely ill or unwell, and his stomach digested well, being neither too hot nor too cold, more so than other humans. This is the third blessing.
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano brāhmaṇagahapatikānaṁ piyo ahosi manāpo. Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pitā puttānaṁ piyo hoti manāpo; evameva kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano brāhmaṇagahapatikānaṁ piyo ahosi manāpo. Raññopi, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa brāhmaṇagahapatikā piyā ahesuṁ manāpā. Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pitu puttā piyā honti manāpā; evameva kho, ānanda, raññopi mahāsudassanassa brāhmaṇagahapatikā piyā ahesuṁ manāpā. Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano caturaṅginiyā senāya uyyānabhūmiṁ niyyāsi. Atha kho, ānanda, brāhmaṇagahapatikā rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu: ‘ataramāno, deva, yāhi, yathā taṁ mayaṁ cirataraṁ passeyyāmā’ti. Rājāpi, ānanda, mahāsudassano sārathiṁ āmantesi: ‘ataramāno, sārathi, rathaṁ pesehi, yathā ahaṁ brāhmaṇagahapatike cirataraṁ passeyyan’ti. Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāya catutthiyā iddhiyā samannāgato ahosi. Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāhi catūhi iddhīhi samannāgato ahosi.
Furthermore, he was as dear and beloved to the brahmins and householders as a father is to his children. And the brahmins and householders were as dear to the king as children are to their father. Once it so happened that King Mahāsudassana went with his army of four divisions to visit a park. Then the brahmins and householders went up to him and said, ‘Slow down, Your Majesty, so we may see you longer!’ And the king addressed his charioteer, ‘Drive slowly, charioteer, so I can see the brahmins and householders longer!’ This is the fourth blessing. These are the four blessings possessed by King Mahāsudassana.
4. Dhammapāsādapokkharaṇī
Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘yannūnāhaṁ imāsu tālantarikāsu dhanusate dhanusate pokkharaṇiyo māpeyyan’ti. Māpesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tāsu tālantarikāsu dhanusate dhanusate pokkharaṇiyo. Tā kho panānanda, pokkharaṇiyo catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ iṭṭhakāhi citā ahesuṁ— ekā iṭṭhakā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā. Tāsu kho panānanda, pokkharaṇīsu cattāri cattāri sopānāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ, ekaṁ sopānaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ. Sovaṇṇamayassa sopānassa sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Rūpiyamayassa sopānassa rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Veḷuriyamayassa sopānassa veḷuriyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, phalikamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Phalikamayassa sopānassa phalikamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, veḷuriyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Tā kho panānanda, pokkharaṇiyo dvīhi vedikāhi parikkhittā ahesuṁ ekā vedikā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā. Sovaṇṇamayāya vedikāya sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Rūpiyamayāya vedikāya rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
4. Lotus Ponds in the Palace of Principle
Then King Mahāsudassana thought, ‘Why don’t I have lotus ponds built between the palms, at intervals of a hundred bow lengths?’ So that’s what he did. The lotus ponds were lined with tiles of four colors, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. And four flights of stairs of four colors descended into each lotus pond, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden stairs had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver. The silver stairs had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold. The beryl stairs had posts of beryl, and banisters and finials of crystal. The crystal stairs had posts of crystal, and banisters and finials of beryl. Those lotus ponds were surrounded by two balustrades, made of gold and silver. The golden balustrades had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver. The silver balustrades had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.
Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘yannūnāhaṁ imāsu pokkharaṇīsu evarūpaṁ mālaṁ ropāpeyyaṁ uppalaṁ padumaṁ kumudaṁ puṇḍarīkaṁ sabbotukaṁ sabbajanassa anāvaṭan’ti. Ropāpesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tāsu pokkharaṇīsu evarūpaṁ mālaṁ uppalaṁ padumaṁ kumudaṁ puṇḍarīkaṁ sabbotukaṁ sabbajanassa anāvaṭaṁ. Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘yannūnāhaṁ imāsaṁ pokkharaṇīnaṁ tīre nhāpake purise ṭhapeyyaṁ, ye āgatāgataṁ janaṁ nhāpessantī’ti. Ṭhapesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tāsaṁ pokkharaṇīnaṁ tīre nhāpake purise, ye āgatāgataṁ janaṁ nhāpesuṁ. Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘yannūnāhaṁ imāsaṁ pokkharaṇīnaṁ tīre evarūpaṁ dānaṁ paṭṭhapeyyaṁ— annaṁ annaṭṭhikassa, pānaṁ pānaṭṭhikassa, vatthaṁ vatthaṭṭhikassa, yānaṁ yānaṭṭhikassa, sayanaṁ sayanaṭṭhikassa, itthiṁ itthiṭṭhikassa, hiraññaṁ hiraññaṭṭhikassa, suvaṇṇaṁ suvaṇṇaṭṭhikassā’ti. Paṭṭhapesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tāsaṁ pokkharaṇīnaṁ tīre evarūpaṁ dānaṁ— annaṁ annaṭṭhikassa, pānaṁ pānaṭṭhikassa, vatthaṁ vatthaṭṭhikassa, yānaṁ yānaṭṭhikassa, sayanaṁ sayanaṭṭhikassa, itthiṁ itthiṭṭhikassa, hiraññaṁ hiraññaṭṭhikassa, suvaṇṇaṁ suvaṇṇaṭṭhikassa.
Then King Mahāsudassana thought, ‘Why don’t I plant flowers in the lotus ponds such as blue water lilies, and lotuses of pink, yellow, and white, blooming all year round, and accessible to the public?’ So that’s what he did. Then King Mahāsudassana thought, ‘Why don’t I appoint bath attendants to help bathe the people who come to bathe in the lotus ponds?’ So that’s what he did. Then King Mahāsudassana thought, ‘Why don’t I set up charities on the banks of the lotus ponds, so that those in need of food, drink, clothes, vehicles, beds, women, coined gold, or uncoined gold can get what they need?’ So that’s what he did.
Atha kho, ānanda, brāhmaṇagahapatikā pahūtaṁ sāpateyyaṁ ādāya rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu: ‘idaṁ, deva, pahūtaṁ sāpateyyaṁ devaññeva uddissa ābhataṁ, taṁ devo paṭiggaṇhatū’ti. ‘Alaṁ, bho, mamapidaṁ pahūtaṁ sāpateyyaṁ dhammikena balinā abhisaṅkhataṁ, tañca vo hotu, ito ca bhiyyo harathā’ti. Te raññā paṭikkhittā ekamantaṁ apakkamma evaṁ samacintesuṁ: ‘na kho etaṁ amhākaṁ patirūpaṁ, yaṁ mayaṁ imāni sāpateyyāni punadeva sakāni gharāni paṭihareyyāma. Yannūna mayaṁ rañño mahāsudassanassa nivesanaṁ māpeyyāmā’ti. Te rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu: ‘nivesanaṁ te, deva, māpessāmā’ti. Adhivāsesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tuṇhībhāvena.
Then the brahmins and householders came to the king bringing abundant wealth and said, ‘Your Majesty, this abundant wealth is specially for you alone; may Your Majesty accept it!’ ‘There’s enough raised for me through regular taxes. Let this be for you; and here, take even more!’ When the king turned them down, they withdrew to one side to think up a plan, ‘It wouldn’t be proper for us to take this abundant wealth back to our own homes. Why don’t we build a home for King Mahāsudassana?’ They went up to the king and said, ‘We shall have a home built for you, Your Majesty!’ King Mahāsudassana consented with silence.
Atha kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo rañño mahāsudassanassa cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya vissakammaṁ devaputtaṁ āmantesi: ‘ehi tvaṁ, samma vissakamma, rañño mahāsudassanassa nivesanaṁ māpehi dhammaṁ nāma pāsādan’ti. ‘Evaṁ, bhaddantavā’ti kho, ānanda, vissakammo devaputto sakkassa devānamindassa paṭissutvā seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—devesu tāvatiṁsesu antarahito rañño mahāsudassanassa purato pāturahosi. Atha kho, ānanda, vissakammo devaputto rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ etadavoca: ‘nivesanaṁ te, deva, māpessāmi dhammaṁ nāma pāsādan’ti. Adhivāsesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tuṇhībhāvena. Māpesi kho, ānanda, vissakammo devaputto rañño mahāsudassanassa nivesanaṁ dhammaṁ nāma pāsādaṁ. Dhammo, ānanda, pāsādo puratthimena pacchimena ca yojanaṁ āyāmena ahosi. Uttarena dakkhiṇena ca aḍḍhayojanaṁ vitthārena. Dhammassa, ānanda, pāsādassa tiporisaṁ uccatarena vatthu citaṁ ahosi catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ iṭṭhakāhi— ekā iṭṭhakā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā.
And then Sakka, lord of gods, knowing the king’s train of thought, addressed the godling Vissakamma, ‘Come, dear Vissakamma, build a palace named Principle as a home for King Mahāsudassana.’ ‘Yes, lord,’ replied Vissakamma. Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he vanished from the gods of the thirty-three and appeared in front of King Mahāsudassana. Vissakamma said to the king, ‘I shall build a palace named Principle as a home for you, Your Majesty.’ King Mahāsudassana consented with silence. And so that’s what Vissakamma did. The Palace of Principle stretched for a league from east to west, and half a league from north to south. It was lined with tiles of four colors, three fathoms high, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.
Dhammassa, ānanda, pāsādassa caturāsītithambhasahassāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ— eko thambho sovaṇṇamayo, eko rūpiyamayo, eko veḷuriyamayo, eko phalikamayo. Dhammo, ānanda, pāsādo catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ phalakehi santhato ahosi— ekaṁ phalakaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ. Dhammassa, ānanda, pāsādassa catuvīsati sopānāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ— ekaṁ sopānaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ. Sovaṇṇamayassa sopānassa sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Rūpiyamayassa sopānassa rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Veḷuriyamayassa sopānassa veḷuriyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ phalikamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Phalikamayassa sopānassa phalikamayā thambhā ahesuṁ veḷuriyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Dhamme, ānanda, pāsāde caturāsītikūṭāgārasahassāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ— ekaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ. Sovaṇṇamaye kūṭāgāre rūpiyamayo pallaṅko paññatto ahosi, rūpiyamaye kūṭāgāre sovaṇṇamayo pallaṅko paññatto ahosi, veḷuriyamaye kūṭāgāre dantamayo pallaṅko paññatto ahosi, phalikamaye kūṭāgāre sāramayo pallaṅko paññatto ahosi. Sovaṇṇamayassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre rūpiyamayo tālo ṭhito ahosi, tassa rūpiyamayo khandho sovaṇṇamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Rūpiyamayassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre sovaṇṇamayo tālo ṭhito ahosi, tassa sovaṇṇamayo khandho, rūpiyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Veḷuriyamayassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre phalikamayo tālo ṭhito ahosi, tassa phalikamayo khandho, veḷuriyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Phalikamayassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre veḷuriyamayo tālo ṭhito ahosi, tassa veḷuriyamayo khandho, phalikamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
It had 84,000 pillars of four colors, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. It was covered with panels of four colors, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. It had twenty-four staircases of four colors, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden stairs had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver. The silver stairs had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold. The beryl stairs had posts of beryl, and banisters and finials of crystal. The crystal stairs had posts of crystal, and banisters and finials of beryl. It had 84,000 chambers of four colors, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. In each chamber a couch was spread: in the golden chamber a couch of silver; in the silver chamber a couch of gold; in the beryl chamber a couch of ivory; in the crystal chamber a couch of hardwood. At the door of the golden chamber stood a palm tree of silver, with trunk of silver, and leaves and fruits of gold. At the door of the silver chamber stood a palm tree of gold, with trunk of gold, and leaves and fruits of silver. At the door of the beryl chamber stood a palm tree of crystal, with trunk of crystal, and leaves and fruits of beryl. At the door of the crystal chamber stood a palm tree of beryl, with trunk of beryl, and leaves and fruits of crystal.
Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘yannūnāhaṁ mahāviyūhassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre sabbasovaṇṇamayaṁ tālavanaṁ māpeyyaṁ, yattha divāvihāraṁ nisīdissāmī’ti. Māpesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano mahāviyūhassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre sabbasovaṇṇamayaṁ tālavanaṁ, yattha divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.
Then King Mahāsudassana thought, ‘Why don’t I build a grove of golden palm trees at the door to the Chamber of the Grand Tower, where I can sit for the day?’ So that’s what he did.
Dhammo, ānanda, pāsādo dvīhi vedikāhi parikkhitto ahosi, ekā vedikā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā. Sovaṇṇamayāya vedikāya sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Rūpiyamayāya vedikāya rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The Palace of Principle was surrounded by two balustrades, made of gold and silver. The golden balustrades had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver. The silver balustrades had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.
Dhammo, ānanda, pāsādo dvīhi kiṅkiṇikajālehi parikkhitto ahosi— ekaṁ jālaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ. Sovaṇṇamayassa jālassa rūpiyamayā kiṅkiṇikā ahesuṁ, rūpiyamayassa jālassa sovaṇṇamayā kiṅkiṇikā ahesuṁ. Tesaṁ kho panānanda, kiṅkiṇikajālānaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca. Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pañcaṅgikassa tūriyassa suvinītassa suppaṭitāḷitassa sukusalehi samannāhatassa saddo hoti, vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca; evameva kho, ānanda, tesaṁ kiṅkiṇikajālānaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca. Ye kho panānanda, tena samayena kusāvatiyā rājadhāniyā dhuttā ahesuṁ soṇḍā pipāsā, te tesaṁ kiṅkiṇikajālānaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddena paricāresuṁ. Niṭṭhito kho panānanda, dhammo pāsādo duddikkho ahosi musati cakkhūni. Seyyathāpi, ānanda, vassānaṁ pacchime māse saradasamaye viddhe vigatavalāhake deve ādicco nabhaṁ abbhussakkamāno duddikkho hoti musati cakkhūni; evameva kho, ānanda, dhammo pāsādo duddikkho ahosi musati cakkhūni.
The Palace of Principle was surrounded by two nets of bells, made of gold and silver. The golden net had bells of silver, and the silver net had bells of gold. When those nets of bells were blown by the wind they sounded graceful, tantalizing, sensuous, lovely, and intoxicating, like a quintet made up of skilled musicians who had practiced well and kept excellent rhythm. And any addicts, carousers, or drunkards in Kusāvatī at that time were entertained by that sound. When it was finished, the palace was hard to look at, dazzling to the eyes. It was like how in the last month of the rainy season, in autumn, when the heavens are sunny and cloudless, as the sun is rising to the firmament, it is hard to look at, dazzling to the eyes.
Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘yannūnāhaṁ dhammassa pāsādassa purato dhammaṁ nāma pokkharaṇiṁ māpeyyan’ti. Māpesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano dhammassa pāsādassa purato dhammaṁ nāma pokkharaṇiṁ. Dhammā, ānanda, pokkharaṇī puratthimena pacchimena ca yojanaṁ āyāmena ahosi, uttarena dakkhiṇena ca aḍḍhayojanaṁ vitthārena. Dhammā, ānanda, pokkharaṇī catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ iṭṭhakāhi citā ahosi— ekā iṭṭhakā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā.
Then King Mahāsudassana thought, ‘Why don’t I build a lotus pond named Principle in front of the palace?’ So that’s what he did. The Lotus Pond of Principle stretched for a league from east to west, and half a league from north to south. It was lined with tiles of four colors, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.
Dhammāya, ānanda, pokkharaṇiyā catuvīsati sopānāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ— ekaṁ sopānaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ. Sovaṇṇamayassa sopānassa sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Rūpiyamayassa sopānassa rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Veḷuriyamayassa sopānassa veḷuriyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ phalikamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Phalikamayassa sopānassa phalikamayā thambhā ahesuṁ veḷuriyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Dhammā, ānanda, pokkharaṇī dvīhi vedikāhi parikkhittā ahosi—ekā vedikā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā. Sovaṇṇamayāya vedikāya sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Rūpiyamayāya vedikāya rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
It had twenty-four staircases of four colors, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden stairs had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver. The silver stairs had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold. The beryl stairs had posts of beryl, and banisters and finials of crystal. The crystal stairs had posts of crystal, and banisters and finials of beryl. It was surrounded by two balustrades, made of gold and silver. The golden balustrades had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver. The silver balustrades had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.
Dhammā, ānanda, pokkharaṇī sattahi tālapantīhi parikkhittā ahosi— ekā tālapanti sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā, ekā lohitaṅkamayā, ekā masāragallamayā, ekā sabbaratanamayā. Sovaṇṇamayassa tālassa sovaṇṇamayo khandho ahosi rūpiyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Rūpiyamayassa tālassa rūpiyamayo khandho ahosi sovaṇṇamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Veḷuriyamayassa tālassa veḷuriyamayo khandho ahosi phalikamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Phalikamayassa tālassa phalikamayo khandho ahosi veḷuriyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Lohitaṅkamayassa tālassa lohitaṅkamayo khandho ahosi masāragallamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Masāragallamayassa tālassa masāragallamayo khandho ahosi lohitaṅkamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Sabbaratanamayassa tālassa sabbaratanamayo khandho ahosi, sabbaratanamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Tāsaṁ kho panānanda, tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi, vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca. Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pañcaṅgikassa tūriyassa suvinītassa suppaṭitāḷitassa sukusalehi samannāhatassa saddo hoti vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca; evameva kho, ānanda, tāsaṁ tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca. Ye kho panānanda, tena samayena kusāvatiyā rājadhāniyā dhuttā ahesuṁ soṇḍā pipāsā, te tāsaṁ tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddena paricāresuṁ.
It was surrounded by seven rows of palm trees, made of gold, silver, beryl, crystal, ruby, emerald, and all precious things. The golden palms had trunks of gold, and leaves and fruits of silver. The silver palms had trunks of silver, and leaves and fruits of gold. The beryl palms had trunks of beryl, and leaves and fruits of crystal. The crystal palms had trunks of crystal, and leaves and fruits of beryl. The ruby palms had trunks of ruby, and leaves and fruits of emerald. The emerald palms had trunks of emerald, and leaves and fruits of ruby. The palms of all precious things had trunks of all precious things, and leaves and fruits of all precious things. When those rows of palm trees were blown by the wind they sounded graceful, tantalizing, sensuous, lovely, and intoxicating, like a quintet made up of skilled musicians who had practiced well and kept excellent rhythm. And any addicts, carousers, or drunkards in Kusāvatī at that time were entertained by that sound.
Niṭṭhite kho panānanda, dhamme pāsāde niṭṭhitāya dhammāya ca pokkharaṇiyā rājā mahāsudassano ‘ye tena samayena samaṇesu vā samaṇasammatā brāhmaṇesu vā brāhmaṇasammatā’, te sabbakāmehi santappetvā dhammaṁ pāsādaṁ abhiruhi.
When the palace and its lotus pond were finished, King Mahāsudassana served those who were deemed true ascetics and brahmins with all they desired. Then he ascended the Palace of Principle.
5. Jhānasampatti
Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘kissa nu kho me idaṁ kammassa phalaṁ kissa kammassa vipāko, yenāhaṁ etarahi evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo’ti? Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘tiṇṇaṁ kho me idaṁ kammānaṁ phalaṁ tiṇṇaṁ kammānaṁ vipāko, yenāhaṁ etarahi evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo, seyyathidaṁ— dānassa damassa saṁyamassā’ti.
5. Attaining Absorption
Then King Mahāsudassana thought, ‘Of what deed of mine is this the fruit and result, that I am now so mighty and powerful?’ Then King Mahāsudassana thought, ‘It is the fruit and result of three kinds of deeds: giving, self-control, and restraint.’
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano yena mahāviyūhaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā mahāviyūhassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre ṭhito udānaṁ udānesi: ‘tiṭṭha, kāmavitakka, tiṭṭha, byāpādavitakka, tiṭṭha, vihiṁsāvitakka. Ettāvatā, kāmavitakka, ettāvatā, byāpādavitakka, ettāvatā, vihiṁsāvitakkā’ti.
Then he went to the Chamber of the Grand Tower, stood at the door, and expressed this heartfelt sentiment: ‘Stop here, sensual, malicious, and cruel thoughts— no further!’
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano mahāviyūhaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ pavisitvā sovaṇṇamaye pallaṅke nisinno vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihāsi. Vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihāsi. Pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca vihāsi, sato ca sampajāno sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedesi, yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti: ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihāsi. Sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā adukkhamasukhaṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihāsi.
Then he entered the Chamber of the Grand Tower and sat on the golden couch. Quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, he entered and remained in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected. As the placing of the mind and keeping it connected were stilled, he entered and remained in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of immersion, with internal clarity and mind at one, without placing the mind and keeping it connected. And with the fading away of rapture, he entered and remained in the third absorption, where he meditated with equanimity, mindful and aware, experiencing for themselves the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’ With the giving up of pleasure and pain, and the disappearance of former happiness and sadness, he entered and remained in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano mahāviyūhā kūṭāgārā nikkhamitvā sovaṇṇamayaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ pavisitvā rūpiyamaye pallaṅke nisinno mettāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā vihāsi. Tathā dutiyaṁ tathā tatiyaṁ tathā catutthaṁ. Iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjena pharitvā vihāsi. Karuṇāsahagatena cetasā …pe… muditāsahagatena cetasā …pe… upekkhāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā vihāsi. Tathā dutiyaṁ tathā tatiyaṁ tathā catutthaṁ. Iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ upekkhāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjena pharitvā vihāsi.
Then King Mahāsudassana left the Chamber of the Grand Tower and entered the golden chamber, where he sat on the golden couch. He meditated spreading a heart full of love to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way he spread a heart full of love above, below, across, everywhere, all around, to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will. He meditated spreading a heart full of compassion … He meditated spreading a heart full of rejoicing … He meditated spreading a heart full of equanimity to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, he spread a heart full of equanimity to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.
6. Caturāsītinagarasahassādi
Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa caturāsīti nagarasahassāni ahesuṁ kusāvatīrājadhānippamukhāni; caturāsīti pāsādasahassāni ahesuṁ dhammapāsādappamukhāni; caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassāni ahesuṁ mahāviyūhakūṭāgārappamukhāni; caturāsīti pallaṅkasahassāni ahesuṁ sovaṇṇamayāni rūpiyamayāni dantamayāni sāramayāni gonakatthatāni paṭikatthatāni paṭalikatthatāni kadalimigapavarapaccattharaṇāni sauttaracchadāni ubhatolohitakūpadhānāni; caturāsīti nāgasahassāni ahesuṁ sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni uposathanāgarājappamukhāni; caturāsīti assasahassāni ahesuṁ sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni valāhakaassarājappamukhāni; caturāsīti rathasahassāni ahesuṁ sīhacammaparivārāni byagghacammaparivārāni dīpicammaparivārāni paṇḍukambalaparivārāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni vejayantarathappamukhāni; caturāsīti maṇisahassāni ahesuṁ maṇiratanappamukhāni; caturāsīti itthisahassāni ahesuṁ subhaddādevippamukhāni; caturāsīti gahapatisahassāni ahesuṁ gahapatiratanappamukhāni; caturāsīti khattiyasahassāni ahesuṁ anuyantāni pariṇāyakaratanappamukhāni; caturāsīti dhenusahassāni ahesuṁ duhasandanāni kaṁsūpadhāraṇāni; caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassāni ahesuṁ khomasukhumānaṁ kappāsikasukhumānaṁ koseyyasukhumānaṁ kambalasukhumānaṁ; rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa caturāsīti thālipākasahassāni ahesuṁ sāyaṁ pātaṁ bhattābhihāro abhihariyittha.
6. Of All Cities
King Mahāsudassana had 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī the foremost. He had 84,000 palaces, with the Palace of Principle the foremost. He had 84,000 chambers, with the Chamber of the Grand Tower the foremost. He had 84,000 couches made of gold, silver, ivory, and hardwood. They were spread with woollen covers—shag-piled, pure white, or embroidered with flowers—and spread with a fine deer hide, with a canopy above and red pillows at both ends. He had 84,000 bull elephants with gold adornments and banners, covered with snow gold netting, with the royal bull elephant named Sabbath foremost. He had 84,000 horses with gold adornments and banners, covered with snow gold netting, with the royal steed named Thundercloud foremost. He had 84,000 chariots upholstered with the hide of lions, tigers, and leopards, and cream rugs, with gold adornments and banners, covered with snow gold netting, with the chariot named Triumph foremost. He had 84,000 jewels, with the jewel-treasure foremost. He had 84,000 women, with Queen Subhaddā foremost. He had 84,000 householders, with the householder-treasure foremost. He had 84,000 aristocrat vassals, with the commander-treasure foremost. He had 84,000 milk-cows with silken halter and bronze pails. He had 8,400,000,000 cloths of delicate linen, cotton, silk, and wool. He had 84,000 servings of food, which were presented to him as offerings at daybreak and dusk.
Tena kho panānanda, samayena rañño mahāsudassanassa caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgacchanti. Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘imāni kho me caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgacchanti, yannūna vassasatassa vassasatassa accayena dvecattālīsaṁ dvecattālīsaṁ nāgasahassāni sakiṁ sakiṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgaccheyyun’ti. Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano pariṇāyakaratanaṁ āmantesi: ‘imāni kho me, samma pariṇāyakaratana, caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgacchanti, tena hi, samma pariṇāyakaratana, vassasatassa vassasatassa accayena dvecattālīsaṁ dvecattālīsaṁ nāgasahassāni sakiṁ sakiṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgacchantū’ti. ‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, pariṇāyakaratanaṁ rañño mahāsudassanassa paccassosi. Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa aparena samayena vassasatassa vassasatassa accayena dvecattālīsaṁ dvecattālīsaṁ nāgasahassāni sakiṁ sakiṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgamaṁsu.
Now at that time his 84,000 royal elephants came to attend on him at daybreak and dusk. Then King Mahāsudassana thought, ‘What if instead half of the elephants took turns to attend on me at the end of each century?’ He instructed the commander-treasure to do this, and so it was done.
7. Subhaddādeviupasaṅkamana
Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddāya deviyā bahunnaṁ vassānaṁ bahunnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahunnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena etadahosi: ‘ciraṁ diṭṭho kho me rājā mahāsudassano. Yannūnāhaṁ rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ dassanāya upasaṅkameyyan’ti. Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddā devī itthāgāraṁ āmantesi: ‘etha tumhe sīsāni nhāyatha pītāni vatthāni pārupatha. Ciraṁ diṭṭho no rājā mahāsudassano, rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ dassanāya upasaṅkamissāmā’ti. ‘Evaṁ, ayye’ti kho, ānanda, itthāgāraṁ subhaddāya deviyā paṭissutvā sīsāni nhāyitvā pītāni vatthāni pārupitvā yena subhaddā devī tenupasaṅkami.
7. The Visit of Queen Subhaddā
Then, after many years, many hundred years, many thousand years had passed, Queen Subhaddā thought, ‘It is long since I have seen the king. Why don’t I go to see him?’ So the queen addressed the ladies of the harem, ‘Come, bathe your heads and dress in yellow. It is long since we saw the king, and we shall go to see him.’ ‘Yes, ma’am,’ replied the ladies of the harem. They did as she asked and returned to the queen.
Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddā devī pariṇāyakaratanaṁ āmantesi: ‘kappehi, samma pariṇāyakaratana, caturaṅginiṁ senaṁ, ciraṁ diṭṭho no rājā mahāsudassano, rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ dassanāya upasaṅkamissāmā’ti. ‘Evaṁ, devī’ti kho, ānanda, pariṇāyakaratanaṁ subhaddāya deviyā paṭissutvā caturaṅginiṁ senaṁ kappāpetvā subhaddāya deviyā paṭivedesi: ‘kappitā kho, devi, caturaṅginī senā, yassadāni kālaṁ maññasī’ti. Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddā devī caturaṅginiyā senāya saddhiṁ itthāgārena yena dhammo pāsādo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā dhammaṁ pāsādaṁ abhiruhitvā yena mahāviyūhaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ tenupasaṅkami. Upasaṅkamitvā mahāviyūhassa kūṭāgārassa dvārabāhaṁ ālambitvā aṭṭhāsi. Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano saddaṁ sutvā: ‘kiṁ nu kho mahato viya janakāyassa saddo’ti mahāviyūhā kūṭāgārā nikkhamanto addasa subhaddaṁ deviṁ dvārabāhaṁ ālambitvā ṭhitaṁ, disvāna subhaddaṁ deviṁ etadavoca: ‘ettheva, devi, tiṭṭha mā pāvisī’ti.
Then the queen addressed the commander-treasure, ‘Dear commander-treasure, please ready the army of four divisions. It is long since we saw the king, and we shall go to see him.’ ‘Yes, my queen,’ he replied, and did as he was asked. He informed the queen, ‘My queen, the army of four divisions is ready, please go at your convenience.’ Then Queen Subhaddā together with the ladies of the harem went with the army to the Palace of Principle. She ascended the palace and went to the Chamber of the Grand Tower, where she stood leaning against a door-post. Hearing them, the king thought, ‘What’s that, it sounds like a big crowd!’ Coming out of the chamber he saw Queen Subhaddā leaning against a door-post and said to her, ‘Please stay there, my queen, don’t enter in here.’
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano aññataraṁ purisaṁ āmantesi: ‘ehi tvaṁ, ambho purisa, mahāviyūhā kūṭāgārā sovaṇṇamayaṁ pallaṅkaṁ nīharitvā sabbasovaṇṇamaye tālavane paññapehī’ti. ‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, so puriso rañño mahāsudassanassa paṭissutvā mahāviyūhā kūṭāgārā sovaṇṇamayaṁ pallaṅkaṁ nīharitvā sabbasovaṇṇamaye tālavane paññapesi. Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano dakkhiṇena passena sīhaseyyaṁ kappesi pāde pādaṁ accādhāya sato sampajāno.
Then he addressed a certain man, ‘Come, my man, bring the golden couch from the Chamber of the Grand Tower and set it up in the golden palm grove.’ ‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ that man replied, and did as he was asked. The king laid down in the lion’s posture—on the right side, placing one foot on top of the other—mindful and aware.
Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddāya deviyā etadahosi: ‘vippasannāni kho rañño mahāsudassanassa indriyāni, parisuddho chavivaṇṇo pariyodāto, mā heva kho rājā mahāsudassano kālamakāsī’ti rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ etadavoca: ‘Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nagarasahassāni kusāvatīrājadhānippamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti pāsādasahassāni dhammapāsādappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassāni mahāviyūhakūṭāgārappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti pallaṅkasahassāni sovaṇṇamayāni rūpiyamayāni dantamayāni sāramayāni gonakatthatāni paṭikatthatāni paṭalikatthatāni kadalimigapavarapaccattharaṇāni sauttaracchadāni ubhatolohitakūpadhānāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi, jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni uposathanāgarājappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti assasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni valāhakaassarājappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti rathasahassāni sīhacammaparivārāni byagghacammaparivārāni dīpicammaparivārāni paṇḍukambalaparivārāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni vejayantarathappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti maṇisahassāni maṇiratanappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti itthisahassāni itthiratanappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti gahapatisahassāni gahapatiratanappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti khattiyasahassāni anuyantāni pariṇāyakaratanappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti dhenusahassāni duhasandanāni kaṁsūpadhāraṇāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassāni khomasukhumānaṁ kappāsikasukhumānaṁ koseyyasukhumānaṁ kambalasukhumānaṁ. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi, jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti thālipākasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ bhattābhihāro abhihariyati. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohī’ti.
Then Queen Subhaddā thought, ‘The king’s faculties are so very clear, and the complexion of his skin is pure and bright. Let him not pass away!’ She said to him, ‘Your Majesty, you have 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost. Arouse desire for these! Take an interest in life!’ And she likewise urged the king to live on by taking an interest in all his possessions as described above.
Evaṁ vutte, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano subhaddaṁ deviṁ etadavoca: ‘Dīgharattaṁ kho maṁ tvaṁ, devi, iṭṭhehi kantehi piyehi manāpehi samudācarittha; atha ca pana maṁ tvaṁ pacchime kāle aniṭṭhehi akantehi appiyehi amanāpehi samudācarasī’ti. ‘Kathaṁ carahi taṁ, deva, samudācarāmī’ti? ‘Evaṁ kho maṁ tvaṁ, devi, samudācara: “sabbeheva, deva, piyehi manāpehi nānābhāvo vinābhāvo aññathābhāvo, mā kho tvaṁ, deva, sāpekkho kālamakāsi, dukkhā sāpekkhassa kālaṅkiriyā, garahitā ca sāpekkhassa kālaṅkiriyā. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nagarasahassāni kusāvatīrājadhānippamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti pāsādasahassāni dhammapāsādappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassāni mahāviyūhakūṭāgārappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti pallaṅkasahassāni sovaṇṇamayāni rūpiyamayāni dantamayāni sāramayāni gonakatthatāni paṭikatthatāni paṭalikatthatāni kadalimigapavarapaccattharaṇāni sauttaracchadāni ubhatolohitakūpadhānāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni uposathanāgarājappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti assasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni valāhakaassarājappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti rathasahassāni sīhacammaparivārāni byagghacammaparivārāni dīpicammaparivārāni paṇḍukambalaparivārāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni vejayantarathappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti maṇisahassāni maṇiratanappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti itthisahassāni subhaddādevippamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti gahapatisahassāni gahapatiratanappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti khattiyasahassāni anuyantāni pariṇāyakaratanappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti dhenusahassāni duhasandanāni kaṁsūpadhāraṇāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassāni khomasukhumānaṁ kappāsikasukhumānaṁ koseyyasukhumānaṁ kambalasukhumānaṁ. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti thālipākasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ bhattābhihāro abhihariyati. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsī”’ti.
When the queen had spoken, the king said to her, ‘For a long time, my queen, you have spoken to me with words that are welcome, desirable, agreeable, and pleasant. And yet in my final hour, your words are unwelcome, undesirable, disagreeable, and unpleasant!’ ‘So how then, Your Majesty, am I to speak to you?’ ‘Like this, my queen: “Your Majesty, we must be parted and separated from all we hold dear and beloved. Don’t pass away with concerns. Such concern is suffering, and it’s criticized. Your Majesty, you have 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost. Give up desire for these! Take no interest in life!”’ And so on for all the king’s possessions.
Evaṁ vutte, ānanda, subhaddā devī parodi assūni pavattesi. Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddā devī assūni puñchitvā rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ etadavoca: ‘Sabbeheva, deva, piyehi manāpehi nānābhāvo vinābhāvo aññathābhāvo, mā kho tvaṁ, deva, sāpekkho kālamakāsi, dukkhā sāpekkhassa kālaṅkiriyā, garahitā ca sāpekkhassa kālaṅkiriyā. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nagarasahassāni kusāvatīrājadhānippamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti pāsādasahassāni dhammapāsādappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassāni mahāviyūhakūṭāgārappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti pallaṅkasahassāni sovaṇṇamayāni rūpiyamayāni dantamayāni sāramayāni gonakatthatāni paṭikatthatāni paṭalikatthatāni kadalimigapavarapaccattharaṇāni sauttaracchadāni ubhatolohitakūpadhānāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni uposathanāgarājappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti assasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni valāhakaassarājappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha, jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti rathasahassāni sīhacammaparivārāni byagghacammaparivārāni dīpicammaparivārāni paṇḍukambalaparivārāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni vejayantarathappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti maṇisahassāni maṇiratanappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti itthisahassāni itthiratanappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha, jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti gahapatisahassāni gahapatiratanappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti khattiyasahassāni anuyantāni pariṇāyakaratanappamukhāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti dhenusahassāni duhasandanāni kaṁsūpadhāraṇāni. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassāni khomasukhumānaṁ kappāsikasukhumānaṁ koseyyasukhumānaṁ kambalasukhumānaṁ. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi. Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti thālipākasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ bhattābhihāro abhihariyati. Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsī’ti.
When the king had spoken, Queen Subhaddā cried and burst out in tears. Wiping away her tears, the queen said to the king: ‘Your Majesty, we must be parted and separated from all we hold dear and beloved. Don’t pass away with concerns. Such concern is suffering, and it’s criticized. Your Majesty, you have 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost. Give up desire for these! Take no interest in life!’ And she continued, listing all the king’s possessions.
8. Brahmalokūpagama
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano na cirasseva kālamakāsi. Seyyathāpi, ānanda, gahapatissa vā gahapatiputtassa vā manuññaṁ bhojanaṁ bhuttāvissa bhattasammado hoti; evameva kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa māraṇantikā vedanā ahosi. Kālaṅkato ca, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano sugatiṁ brahmalokaṁ upapajji. Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano caturāsīti vassasahassāni kumārakīḷaṁ kīḷi. Caturāsīti vassasahassāni oparajjaṁ kāresi. Caturāsīti vassasahassāni rajjaṁ kāresi. Caturāsīti vassasahassāni gihibhūto dhamme pāsāde brahmacariyaṁ cari. So cattāro brahmavihāre bhāvetvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmalokūpago ahosi.
8. Rebirth in the Realm of Divinity
Not long after that, King Mahāsudassana passed away. And the feeling he had close to death was like a householder or their child falling asleep after eating a satisfying meal. When he passed away King Mahāsudassana was reborn in a good place, a realm of divinity. Ānanda, King Mahāsudassana played children’s games for 84,000 years. He ruled as viceroy for 84,000 years. He ruled as king for 84,000 years. He led the spiritual life as a layman in the Palace of Principle for 84,000 years. And having developed the four divine meditations, when his body broke up, after death, he was reborn in a good place, a realm of divinity.
Siyā kho panānanda, evamassa: ‘añño nūna tena samayena rājā mahāsudassano ahosī’ti, na kho panetaṁ, ānanda, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ. Ahaṁ tena samayena rājā mahāsudassano ahosiṁ. Mama tāni caturāsīti nagarasahassāni kusāvatīrājadhānippamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti pāsādasahassāni dhammapāsādappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassāni mahāviyūhakūṭāgārappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti pallaṅkasahassāni sovaṇṇamayāni rūpiyamayāni dantamayāni sāramayāni gonakatthatāni paṭikatthatāni paṭalikatthatāni kadalimigapavarapaccattharaṇāni sauttaracchadāni ubhatolohitakūpadhānāni, mama tāni caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni uposathanāgarājappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti assasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni valāhakaassarājappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti rathasahassāni sīhacammaparivārāni byagghacammaparivārāni dīpicammaparivārāni paṇḍukambalaparivārāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni vejayantarathappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti maṇisahassāni maṇiratanappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti itthisahassāni subhaddādevippamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti gahapatisahassāni gahapatiratanappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti khattiyasahassāni anuyantāni pariṇāyakaratanappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti dhenusahassāni duhasandanāni kaṁsūpadhāraṇāni, mama tāni caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassāni khomasukhumānaṁ kappāsikasukhumānaṁ koseyyasukhumānaṁ kambalasukhumānaṁ, mama tāni caturāsīti thālipākasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ bhattābhihāro abhihariyittha.
Now, Ānanda, you might think: ‘Surely King Mahāsudassana must have been someone else at that time?’ But you should not see it like that. I myself was King Mahāsudassana at that time. Mine were the 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost. And mine were all the other possessions.
Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsītinagarasahassānaṁ ekaññeva taṁ nagaraṁ hoti, yaṁ tena samayena ajjhāvasāmi yadidaṁ kusāvatī rājadhānī. Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti pāsādasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so pāsādo hoti, yaṁ tena samayena ajjhāvasāmi yadidaṁ dhammo pāsādo. Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassānaṁ ekaññeva taṁ kūṭāgāraṁ hoti, yaṁ tena samayena ajjhāvasāmi yadidaṁ mahāviyūhaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ. Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti pallaṅkasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so pallaṅko hoti, yaṁ tena samayena paribhuñjāmi yadidaṁ sovaṇṇamayo vā rūpiyamayo vā dantamayo vā sāramayo vā. Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti nāgasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so nāgo hoti, yaṁ tena samayena abhiruhāmi yadidaṁ uposatho nāgarājā. Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti assasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so asso hoti, yaṁ tena samayena abhiruhāmi yadidaṁ valāhako assarājā. Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti rathasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so ratho hoti, yaṁ tena samayena abhiruhāmi yadidaṁ vejayantaratho. Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti itthisahassānaṁ ekāyeva sā itthī hoti, yā tena samayena paccupaṭṭhāti khattiyānī vā vessinī vā. Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassānaṁ ekaṁyeva taṁ dussayugaṁ hoti, yaṁ tena samayena paridahāmi khomasukhumaṁ vā kappāsikasukhumaṁ vā koseyyasukhumaṁ vā kambalasukhumaṁ vā. Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti thālipākasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so thālipāko hoti, yato nāḷikodanaparamaṁ bhuñjāmi tadupiyañca sūpeyyaṁ.
Of those 84,000 cities, I only stayed in one, the capital Kusāvatī. Of those 84,000 palaces, I only dwelt in one, the Palace of Principle. Of those 84,000 chambers, I only dwelt in the Chamber of the Grand Tower. Of those 84,000 couches, I only used one, made of gold or silver or ivory or heartwood. Of those 84,000 bull elephants, I only rode one, the royal bull elephant named Sabbath. Of those 84,000 horses, I only rode one, the royal horse named Thundercloud. Of those 84,000 chariots, I only rode one, the chariot named Triumph. Of those 84,000 women, I was only served by one, an aristocrat maiden or a coquette. Of those 8,400,000,000 cloths, I only wore one pair, made of delicate linen, cotton, silk, or wool. Of those 84,000 servings of food, I only had one, eating at most a cup of rice with suitable sauce.
Passānanda, sabbete saṅkhārā atītā niruddhā vipariṇatā. Evaṁ aniccā kho, ānanda, saṅkhārā; evaṁ addhuvā kho, ānanda, saṅkhārā; evaṁ anassāsikā kho, ānanda, saṅkhārā. Yāvañcidaṁ, ānanda, alameva sabbasaṅkhāresu nibbindituṁ, alaṁ virajjituṁ, alaṁ vimuccituṁ.
See, Ānanda! All those conditioned phenomena have passed, ceased, and perished. So impermanent are conditions, so unstable are conditions, so unreliable are conditions. This is quite enough for you to become disillusioned, dispassionate, and freed regarding all conditions.
Chakkhattuṁ kho panāhaṁ, ānanda, abhijānāmi imasmiṁ padese sarīraṁ nikkhipitaṁ, tañca kho rājāva samāno cakkavattī dhammiko dhammarājā cāturanto vijitāvī janapadatthāvariyappatto sattaratanasamannāgato, ayaṁ sattamo sarīranikkhepo. Na kho panāhaṁ, ānanda, taṁ padesaṁ samanupassāmi sadevake loke samārake sabrahmake sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiyā pajāya sadevamanussāya yattha tathāgato aṭṭhamaṁ sarīraṁ nikkhipeyyā”ti. Idamavoca bhagavā. Idaṁ vatvāna sugato athāparaṁ etadavoca satthā: “Aniccā vata saṅkhārā, uppādavayadhammino; Uppajjitvā nirujjhanti, tesaṁ vūpasamo sukho”ti.
Six times, Ānanda, I recall having laid down my body at this place. And the seventh time was as a wheel-turning monarch, a just and principled king, at which time my dominion extended to all four sides, I achieved stability in the country, and I possessed the seven treasures. But Ānanda, I do not see any place in this world with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans where the Realized One would lay down his body for the eighth time.” That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say: “Oh! Conditions are impermanent, their nature is to rise and fall; having arisen, they cease; their settling is such bliss.”