DN 19

Mahāgovindasutta

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati gijjhakūṭe pabbate. Atha kho pañcasikho gandhabbaputto abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇo kevalakappaṁ gijjhakūṭaṁ pabbataṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho pañcasikho gandhabbaputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “yaṁ kho me, bhante, devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ sammukhā sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ, ārocemi taṁ bhagavato”ti. “Ārocehi me tvaṁ, pañcasikhā”ti bhagavā avoca.

The Great Steward

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain. Then, late at night, the centaur Pañcasikha, lighting up the entire Vulture’s Peak, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him, “Sir, I would tell you of what I heard and learned directly from the gods of the thirty-three.” “Tell me, Pañcasikha,” said the Buddha.

1. Devasabhā

“Purimāni, bhante, divasāni purimatarāni tadahuposathe pannarase pavāraṇāya puṇṇāya puṇṇamāya rattiyā kevalakappā ca devā tāvatiṁsā sudhammāyaṁ sabhāyaṁ sannisinnā honti sannipatitā; mahatī ca dibbaparisā samantato nisinnā honti, cattāro ca mahārājāno catuddisā nisinnā honti; puratthimāya disāya dhataraṭṭho mahārājā pacchimābhimukho nisinno hoti deve purakkhatvā; dakkhiṇāya disāya virūḷhako mahārājā uttarābhimukho nisinno hoti deve purakkhatvā; pacchimāya disāya virūpakkho mahārājā puratthābhimukho nisinno hoti deve purakkhatvā; uttarāya disāya vessavaṇo mahārājā dakkhiṇābhimukho nisinno hoti deve purakkhatvā. Yadā, bhante, kevalakappā ca devā tāvatiṁsā sudhammāyaṁ sabhāyaṁ sannisinnā honti sannipatitā, mahatī ca dibbaparisā samantato nisinnā honti, cattāro ca mahārājāno catuddisā nisinnā honti, idaṁ nesaṁ hoti āsanasmiṁ; atha pacchā amhākaṁ āsanaṁ hoti.

1. The Council of the Gods

“Sir, it was more than a few days ago—on the fifteenth day sabbath on the full moon day at the invitation to admonish held at the end of the rainy season—when all the gods of the thirty-three were sitting together in the Hall of Clear Right. A large assembly of gods was sitting all around, and the four great kings were seated at the four quarters. The Great King Dhataraṭṭha was seated to the east, facing west, in front of his gods. The Great King Virūḷhaka was seated to the south, facing north, in front of his gods. The Great King Virūpakkha was seated to the west, facing east, in front of his gods. The Great King Vessavaṇa was seated to the north, facing south, in front of his gods. When the gods of the thirty-three have a gathering like this, that is how they are seated. After that come our seats.

Ye te, bhante, devā bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ caritvā adhunūpapannā tāvatiṁsakāyaṁ, te aññe deve atirocanti vaṇṇena ceva yasasā ca. Tena sudaṁ, bhante, devā tāvatiṁsā attamanā honti pamuditā pītisomanassajātā; ‘dibbā vata bho kāyā paripūrenti, hāyanti asurakāyā’ti. Atha kho, bhante, sakko devānamindo devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ sampasādaṁ viditvā imāhi gāthāhi anumodi: ‘Modanti vata bho devā, tāvatiṁsā sahindakā; Tathāgataṁ namassantā, dhammassa ca sudhammataṁ. Nave deve ca passantā, vaṇṇavante yasassine; Sugatasmiṁ brahmacariyaṁ, caritvāna idhāgate. Te aññe atirocanti, vaṇṇena yasasāyunā; Sāvakā bhūripaññassa, visesūpagatā idha. Idaṁ disvāna nandanti, tāvatiṁsā sahindakā; Tathāgataṁ namassantā, dhammassa ca sudhammatan’ti. Tena sudaṁ, bhante, devā tāvatiṁsā bhiyyoso mattāya attamanā honti pamuditā pītisomanassajātā; ‘dibbā vata bho, kāyā paripūrenti, hāyanti asurakāyā’ti.

Sir, those gods who had been recently reborn in the company of the thirty-three after leading the spiritual life under the Buddha outshine the other gods in beauty and glory. The gods of the thirty-three became uplifted and overjoyed at that, full of rapture and happiness, saying, ‘The heavenly hosts swell, while the titan hosts dwindle!’ Seeing the joy of those gods, Sakka, lord of gods, celebrated with these verses: ‘The gods rejoice— the thirty-three with their Lord— revering the Realized One, and the clear rightness of the teaching; and seeing the new gods, so beautiful and glorious, who have come here after leading the spiritual life under the Buddha! They outshine the others in beauty, glory, and lifespan. Here are the distinguished disciples of he whose wisdom is vast. Seeing this, they delight— the thirty-three with their Lord— revering the Realized One, and the clear rightness of the teaching!’ The gods of the thirty-three became even more uplifted and overjoyed at that, full of rapture and happiness, saying, ‘The heavenly hosts swell, while the titan hosts dwindle!’

2. Aṭṭhayathābhuccavaṇṇa

Atha kho, bhante, sakko devānamindo devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ sampasādaṁ viditvā deve tāvatiṁse āmantesi: ‘iccheyyātha no tumhe, mārisā, tassa bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe sotun’ti? ‘Icchāma mayaṁ, mārisa, tassa bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe sotun’ti. Atha kho, bhante, sakko devānamindo devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe payirudāhāsi:

2. Eight Genuine Praises

Seeing the joy of those gods, Sakka, lord of gods, addressed them, ‘Gentlemen, would you like to hear eight genuine praises of the Buddha?’ ‘Indeed we would, sir.’ Then Sakka proffered these eight genuine praises of the Buddha:

‘Taṁ kiṁ maññanti, bhonto devā tāvatiṁsā? Yāvañca so bhagavā bahujanahitāya paṭipanno bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ. Evaṁ bahujanahitāya paṭipannaṁ bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.

‘What do the good gods of the thirty-three think? How the Buddha has acted for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans! I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who has such sympathy for the world, apart from the Buddha.

Svākkhāto kho pana tena bhagavatā dhammo sandiṭṭhiko akāliko ehipassiko opaneyyiko paccattaṁ veditabbo viññūhi. Evaṁ opaneyyikassa dhammassa desetāraṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.

Also, the Buddha has explained the teaching well—apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves. I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who explains such a relevant teaching, apart from the Buddha.

“Idaṁ kusalan”ti kho pana tena bhagavatā supaññattaṁ, “idaṁ akusalan”ti supaññattaṁ. “Idaṁ sāvajjaṁ idaṁ anavajjaṁ, idaṁ sevitabbaṁ idaṁ na sevitabbaṁ, idaṁ hīnaṁ idaṁ paṇītaṁ, idaṁ kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgan”ti supaññattaṁ. Evaṁ kusalākusalasāvajjānavajjasevitabbāsevitabbahīnapaṇītakaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgānaṁ dhammānaṁ paññāpetāraṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.

Also, the Buddha has well described what is skillful and what is unskillful, what is blameworthy and what is blameless, what should be cultivated and what should not be cultivated, what is inferior and what is superior, and what has a portion of dark or bright. I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who so clearly describes all these things, apart from the Buddha.

Supaññattā kho pana tena bhagavatā sāvakānaṁ nibbānagāminī paṭipadā, saṁsandati nibbānañca paṭipadā ca. Seyyathāpi nāma gaṅgodakaṁ yamunodakena saṁsandati sameti; evameva supaññattā tena bhagavatā sāvakānaṁ nibbānagāminī paṭipadā, saṁsandati nibbānañca paṭipadā ca. Evaṁ nibbānagāminiyā paṭipadāya paññāpetāraṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.

Also, the Buddha has well described the practice that leads to extinguishment for his disciples. And extinguishment converges with the practice, as the waters of the Ganges join together and converge with the waters of the Yamunā. I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who so clearly describes the practice that leads to extinguishment for his disciples, apart from the Buddha.

Abhinipphanno kho pana tassa bhagavato lābho abhinipphanno siloko, yāva maññe khattiyā sampiyāyamānarūpā viharanti, vigatamado kho pana so bhagavā āhāraṁ āhāreti. Evaṁ vigatamadaṁ āhāraṁ āharayamānaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.

Also, possessions and popularity have accrued to the Buddha, so much that you’d think it would thrill even the aristocrats. But he takes his food free of vanity. I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who takes their food so free of vanity, apart from the Buddha.

Laddhasahāyo kho pana so bhagavā sekhānañceva paṭipannānaṁ khīṇāsavānañca vusitavataṁ. Te bhagavā apanujja ekārāmataṁ anuyutto viharati. Evaṁ ekārāmataṁ anuyuttaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.

Also, the Buddha has gained companions, both trainees who are practicing, and those with defilements ended who have completed their journey. The Buddha is committed to the joy of solitude, but doesn’t send them away. I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, so committed to the joy of solitude, apart from the Buddha.

Yathāvādī kho pana so bhagavā tathākārī, yathākārī tathāvādī, iti yathāvādī tathākārī, yathākārī tathāvādī. Evaṁ dhammānudhammappaṭipannaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā.

Also, the Buddha does as he says, and says as he does, thus: he does as he says, and says as he does. I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who so practices in line with the teaching, apart from the Buddha.

Tiṇṇavicikiccho kho pana so bhagavā vigatakathaṅkatho pariyositasaṅkappo ajjhāsayaṁ ādibrahmacariyaṁ. Evaṁ tiṇṇavicikicchaṁ vigatakathaṅkathaṁ pariyositasaṅkappaṁ ajjhāsayaṁ ādibrahmacariyaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā’ti. Ime kho, bhante, sakko devānamindo devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe payirudāhāsi. Tena sudaṁ, bhante, devā tāvatiṁsā bhiyyoso mattāya attamanā honti pamuditā pītisomanassajātā bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe sutvā.

Also, the Buddha has gone beyond doubt and got rid of indecision. He has achieved all he wished for regarding the fundamental goal of the spiritual life. I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who has achieved these things, apart from the Buddha.’ These are the eight genuine praises of the Buddha proffered by Sakka. Hearing them, the gods of the thirty-three became even more uplifted and overjoyed.

Tatra, bhante, ekacce devā evamāhaṁsu: ‘aho vata, mārisā, cattāro sammāsambuddhā loke uppajjeyyuṁ dhammañca deseyyuṁ yathariva bhagavā. Tadassa bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānan’ti. Ekacce devā evamāhaṁsu: ‘tiṭṭhantu, mārisā, cattāro sammāsambuddhā, aho vata, mārisā, tayo sammāsambuddhā loke uppajjeyyuṁ dhammañca deseyyuṁ yathariva bhagavā. Tadassa bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānan’ti. Ekacce devā evamāhaṁsu: ‘tiṭṭhantu, mārisā, tayo sammāsambuddhā, aho vata, mārisā, dve sammāsambuddhā loke uppajjeyyuṁ dhammañca deseyyuṁ yathariva bhagavā. Tadassa bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānan’ti.

Then some gods thought, ‘If only four fully awakened Buddhas might arise in the world and teach the Dhamma, just like the Blessed One! That would be for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans!’ Other gods thought, ‘Let alone four fully awakened Buddhas; if only three fully awakened Buddhas, or two fully awakened Buddhas might arise in the world and teach the Dhamma, just like the Blessed One! That would be for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans!’

Evaṁ vutte, bhante, sakko devānamindo deve tāvatiṁse etadavoca: ‘aṭṭhānaṁ kho etaṁ, mārisā, anavakāso, yaṁ ekissā lokadhātuyā dve arahanto sammāsambuddhā apubbaṁ acarimaṁ uppajjeyyuṁ, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. Aho vata, mārisā, so bhagavā appābādho appātaṅko ciraṁ dīghamaddhānaṁ tiṭṭheyya. Tadassa bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānan’ti. Atha kho, bhante, yenatthena devā tāvatiṁsā sudhammāyaṁ sabhāyaṁ sannisinnā honti sannipatitā, taṁ atthaṁ cintayitvā taṁ atthaṁ mantayitvā vuttavacanāpi taṁ cattāro mahārājāno tasmiṁ atthe honti. Paccānusiṭṭhavacanāpi taṁ cattāro mahārājāno tasmiṁ atthe honti, sakesu sakesu āsanesu ṭhitā avipakkantā. Te vuttavākyā rājāno, paṭiggayhānusāsaniṁ; Vippasannamanā santā, aṭṭhaṁsu samhi āsaneti.

When they said this, Sakka said, ‘It is impossible, gentlemen, for two perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas to arise in the same solar system at the same time. May that Blessed One be healthy and well, and remain with us for a long time! That would be for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans!’ Then the gods of the thirty-three, having considered and deliberated on the matter for which they were seated together in the Hall of Clear Right, advised and instructed the four great kings on the subject. Each one, having been advised, stood at his own seat without leaving. The Kings were instructed, and heeded good advice. With clear and peaceful minds, they stood by their own seats.

Atha kho, bhante, uttarāya disāya uḷāro āloko sañjāyi, obhāso pāturahosi atikkammeva devānaṁ devānubhāvaṁ. Atha kho, bhante, sakko devānamindo deve tāvatiṁse āmantesi: ‘yathā kho, mārisā, nimittāni dissanti, uḷāro āloko sañjāyati, obhāso pātubhavati, brahmā pātubhavissati; brahmuno hetaṁ pubbanimittaṁ pātubhāvāya, yadidaṁ āloko sañjāyati obhāso pātubhavatīti. Yathā nimittā dissanti, brahmā pātubhavissati; Brahmuno hetaṁ nimittaṁ, obhāso vipulo mahā’ti.

Then in the northern quarter a magnificent light arose and radiance appeared, surpassing the glory of the gods. Then Sakka, lord of gods, addressed the gods of the thirty-three, ‘As indicated by the signs—light arising and radiance appearing—the Divinity will appear. For this is the harbinger for the appearance of the Divinity, namely light arising and radiance appearing.’ As indicated by the signs, the Divinity will appear. For this is the sign of the Divinity: a light vast and great.

3. Sanaṅkumārakathā

Atha kho, bhante, devā tāvatiṁsā yathāsakesu āsanesu nisīdiṁsu: ‘obhāsametaṁ ñassāma, yaṁvipāko bhavissati, sacchikatvāva naṁ gamissāmā’ti. Cattāropi mahārājāno yathāsakesu āsanesu nisīdiṁsu: ‘obhāsametaṁ ñassāma, yaṁvipāko bhavissati, sacchikatvāva naṁ gamissāmā’ti. Idaṁ sutvā devā tāvatiṁsā ekaggā samāpajjiṁsu: ‘obhāsametaṁ ñassāma, yaṁvipāko bhavissati, sacchikatvāva naṁ gamissāmā’ti. Yadā, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ pātubhavati, oḷārikaṁ attabhāvaṁ abhinimminitvā pātubhavati. Yo kho pana, bhante, brahmuno pakativaṇṇo, anabhisambhavanīyo so devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ cakkhupathasmiṁ. Yadā, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ pātubhavati, so aññe deve atirocati vaṇṇena ceva yasasā ca. Seyyathāpi, bhante, so vaṇṇo viggaho mānusaṁ viggahaṁ atirocati; evameva kho, bhante, yadā brahmā sanaṅkumāro devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ pātubhavati, so aññe deve atirocati vaṇṇena ceva yasasā ca. Yadā, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ pātubhavati, na tassaṁ parisāyaṁ koci devo abhivādeti vā paccuṭṭheti vā āsanena vā nimanteti. Sabbeva tuṇhībhūtā pañjalikā pallaṅkena nisīdanti: ‘yassadāni devassa pallaṅkaṁ icchissati brahmā sanaṅkumāro, tassa devassa pallaṅke nisīdissatī’ti. Yassa kho pana, bhante, devassa brahmā sanaṅkumāro pallaṅke nisīdati, uḷāraṁ so labhati devo vedapaṭilābhaṁ, uḷāraṁ so labhati devo somanassapaṭilābhaṁ.

3. On Sanaṅkumāra

Then the gods of the thirty-three sat in their own seats, saying, ‘We shall find out what has caused that light, and only when we have realized it shall we go to it.’ And the four great kings did likewise. Hearing that, the gods of the thirty-three agreed in unison, ‘We shall find out what has caused that light, and only when we have realized it shall we go to it.’ When the divinity Sanaṅkumāra appears to the gods of the thirty-three, he does so after manifesting in a solid life-form. For a Divinity’s normal appearance is imperceptible in the visual range of the gods of the thirty-three. When the divinity Sanaṅkumāra appears to the gods of the thirty-three, he outshines the other gods in beauty and glory, as a golden statue outshines the human form. When the divinity Sanaṅkumāra appears to the gods of the thirty-three, not a single god in that assembly greets him by bowing down or rising up or inviting him to a seat. They all sit silently on their couches with their cupped palms raised, thinking, ‘Now the divinity Sanaṅkumāra will sit on the couch of whatever god he chooses.’ And the god on whose couch the Divinity sits is overjoyed and brimming with happiness,

Seyyathāpi, bhante, rājā khattiyo muddhāvasitto adhunābhisitto rajjena, uḷāraṁ so labhati vedapaṭilābhaṁ, uḷāraṁ so labhati somanassapaṭilābhaṁ; evameva kho, bhante, yassa devassa brahmā sanaṅkumāro pallaṅke nisīdati, uḷāraṁ so labhati devo vedapaṭilābhaṁ, uḷāraṁ so labhati devo somanassapaṭilābhaṁ. Atha, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ sampasādaṁ viditvā antarahito imāhi gāthāhi anumodi: ‘Modanti vata bho devā, tāvatiṁsā sahindakā; Tathāgataṁ namassantā, dhammassa ca sudhammataṁ. Nave deve ca passantā, vaṇṇavante yasassine; Sugatasmiṁ brahmacariyaṁ, caritvāna idhāgate. Te aññe atirocanti, vaṇṇena yasasāyunā; Sāvakā bhūripaññassa, visesūpagatā idha. Idaṁ disvāna nandanti, tāvatiṁsā sahindakā; Tathāgataṁ namassantā, dhammassa ca sudhammatan’ti.

like a king on the day of his coronation. Seeing the joy of those gods, the divinity Sanaṅkumāra celebrated with these verses: ‘The gods rejoice— the thirty-three with their Lord— revering the Realized One, and the clear rightness of the teaching; and seeing the new gods, so beautiful and glorious, who have come here after leading the spiritual life under the Buddha! They outshine the others in beauty, glory, and lifespan. Here are the distinguished disciples of he whose wisdom is vast. Seeing this, they delight— the thirty-three with their Lord— revering the Realized One, and the clear rightness of the teaching!’

Imamatthaṁ, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro abhāsittha. Imamatthaṁ, bhante, brahmuno sanaṅkumārassa bhāsato aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgato saro hoti vissaṭṭho ca viññeyyo ca mañju ca savanīyo ca bindu ca avisārī ca gambhīro ca ninnādī ca. Yathāparisaṁ kho pana, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro sarena viññāpeti, na cassa bahiddhā parisāya ghoso niccharati. Yassa kho pana, bhante, evaṁ aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgato saro hoti, so vuccati ‘brahmassaro’ti.

That is the topic on which the divinity Sanaṅkumāra spoke. And while he was speaking on that topic, his voice had eight qualities: it was clear, comprehensible, charming, audible, lucid, undistorted, deep, and resonant. He makes sure his voice is intelligible as far as the assembly goes, but the sound doesn’t extend outside the assembly. When someone has a voice like this, they’re said to have the voice of the Divinity.

Atha kho, bhante, devā tāvatiṁsā brahmānaṁ sanaṅkumāraṁ etadavocuṁ: ‘sādhu, mahābrahme, etadeva mayaṁ saṅkhāya modāma; atthi ca sakkena devānamindena tassa bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhuccā vaṇṇā bhāsitā; te ca mayaṁ saṅkhāya modāmā’ti. Atha, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro sakkaṁ devānamindaṁ etadavoca: ‘sādhu, devānaminda, mayampi tassa bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe suṇeyyāmā’ti. ‘Evaṁ, mahābrahme’ti kho, bhante, sakko devānamindo brahmuno sanaṅkumārassa bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe payirudāhāsi. ‘Taṁ kiṁ maññati, bhavaṁ mahābrahmā? Yāvañca so bhagavā bahujanahitāya paṭipanno bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ. Evaṁ bahujanahitāya paṭipannaṁ bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā. Svākkhāto kho pana tena bhagavatā dhammo sandiṭṭhiko akāliko ehipassiko opaneyyiko paccattaṁ veditabbo viññūhi. Evaṁ opaneyyikassa dhammassa desetāraṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā. “Idaṁ kusalan”ti kho pana tena bhagavatā supaññattaṁ, “idaṁ akusalan”ti supaññattaṁ, “idaṁ sāvajjaṁ idaṁ anavajjaṁ, idaṁ sevitabbaṁ idaṁ na sevitabbaṁ, idaṁ hīnaṁ idaṁ paṇītaṁ, idaṁ kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgan”ti supaññattaṁ. Evaṁ kusalākusalasāvajjānavajjasevitabbāsevitabbahīnapaṇītakaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgānaṁ dhammānaṁ paññāpetāraṁ. Imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā. Supaññattā kho pana tena bhagavatā sāvakānaṁ nibbānagāminī paṭipadā saṁsandati nibbānañca paṭipadā ca. Seyyathāpi nāma gaṅgodakaṁ yamunodakena saṁsandati sameti; evameva supaññattā tena bhagavatā sāvakānaṁ nibbānagāminī paṭipadā saṁsandati nibbānañca paṭipadā ca. Evaṁ nibbānagāminiyā paṭipadāya paññāpetāraṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā. Abhinipphanno kho pana tassa bhagavato lābho abhinipphanno siloko, yāva maññe khattiyā sampiyāyamānarūpā viharanti. Vigatamado kho pana so bhagavā āhāraṁ āhāreti. Evaṁ vigatamadaṁ āhāraṁ āharayamānaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā. Laddhasahāyo kho pana so bhagavā sekhānañceva paṭipannānaṁ khīṇāsavānañca vusitavataṁ, te bhagavā apanujja ekārāmataṁ anuyutto viharati. Evaṁ ekārāmataṁ anuyuttaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā. Yathāvādī kho pana so bhagavā tathākārī, yathākārī tathāvādī; iti yathāvādī tathākārī, yathākārī tathāvādī. Evaṁ dhammānudhammappaṭippannaṁ imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā. Tiṇṇavicikiccho kho pana so bhagavā vigatakathaṅkatho pariyositasaṅkappo ajjhāsayaṁ ādibrahmacariyaṁ. Evaṁ tiṇṇavicikicchaṁ vigatakathaṅkathaṁ pariyositasaṅkappaṁ ajjhāsayaṁ ādibrahmacariyaṁ. Imināpaṅgena samannāgataṁ satthāraṁ neva atītaṁse samanupassāma, na panetarahi, aññatra tena bhagavatā’ti.

Then the gods of the thirty-three said to the divinity Sanaṅkumāra, ‘Good, Great Divinity! Having appraised this, we rejoice. And there are the eight genuine praises of the Buddha spoken by Sakka— having appraised them, too, we rejoice.’ Then the Divinity said to Sakka, ‘It would be good, lord of gods, if I could also hear the eight genuine praises of the Buddha.’ Saying, ‘Yes, Great Divinity,’ Sakka repeated the eight genuine praises for him.

Ime kho, bhante, sakko devānamindo brahmuno sanaṅkumārassa bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe payirudāhāsi. Tena sudaṁ, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro attamano hoti pamudito pītisomanassajāto bhagavato aṭṭha yathābhucce vaṇṇe sutvā. Atha, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro oḷārikaṁ attabhāvaṁ abhinimminitvā kumāravaṇṇī hutvā pañcasikho devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ pāturahosi. So vehāsaṁ abbhuggantvā ākāse antalikkhe pallaṅkena nisīdi. Seyyathāpi, bhante, balavā puriso supaccatthate vā pallaṅke same vā bhūmibhāge pallaṅkena nisīdeyya; evameva kho, bhante, brahmā sanaṅkumāro vehāsaṁ abbhuggantvā ākāse antalikkhe pallaṅkena nisīditvā deve tāvatiṁse āmantesi: ‘Taṁ kiṁ maññanti, bhonto devā tāvatiṁsā, yāva dīgharattaṁ mahāpaññova so bhagavā ahosi.

Hearing them, the divinity Sanaṅkumāra was uplifted and overjoyed, full of rapture and happiness. Then the divinity Sanaṅkumāra manifested in a solid life-form, taking on the appearance of the youth Pañcasikha, and appeared to the gods of the thirty-three. Rising into the air, he sat cross-legged in the sky, like a strong man might sit cross-legged on a well-appointed couch or on level ground. There he addressed the gods of the thirty-three: ‘What do the gods of the thirty-three think about the extent of the Buddha’s great wisdom?

Bhūtapubbaṁ, bho, rājā disampati nāma ahosi. Disampatissa rañño govindo nāma brāhmaṇo purohito ahosi. Disampatissa rañño reṇu nāma kumāro putto ahosi. Govindassa brāhmaṇassa jotipālo nāma māṇavo putto ahosi. Iti reṇu ca rājaputto jotipālo ca māṇavo aññe ca cha khattiyā iccete aṭṭha sahāyā ahesuṁ. Atha kho, bho, ahorattānaṁ accayena govindo brāhmaṇo kālamakāsi. Govinde brāhmaṇe kālaṅkate rājā disampati paridevesi: “yasmiṁ vata, bho, mayaṁ samaye govinde brāhmaṇe sabbakiccāni sammā vossajjitvā pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappitā samaṅgībhūtā paricārema, tasmiṁ no samaye govindo brāhmaṇo kālaṅkato”ti. Evaṁ vutte, bho, reṇu rājaputto rājānaṁ disampatiṁ etadavoca: “mā kho tvaṁ, deva, govinde brāhmaṇe kālaṅkate atibāḷhaṁ paridevesi. Atthi, deva, govindassa brāhmaṇassa jotipālo nāma māṇavo putto paṇḍitataro ceva pitarā, alamatthadasataro ceva pitarā; yepissa pitā atthe anusāsi, tepi jotipālasseva māṇavassa anusāsaniyā”ti. “Evaṁ, kumārā”ti? “Evaṁ, devā”ti.

Once upon a time, there was a king named Disampati. He had a brahmin high priest named the Steward. Disampati’s son was the prince named Reṇu, while the Steward’s son was the student named Jotipāla. There were Reṇu the prince, Jotipāla the student, and six other aristocrats; these eight became friends. In due course the brahmin Steward passed away. At his passing, King Disampati lamented, “At a time when I have relinquished all my duties to the brahmin Steward and amuse myself, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation, he passes away!” When he said this, Prince Reṇu said to him, “Your Majesty, don’t lament too much at the Steward’s passing. He has a son named Jotipāla, who is even more astute and expert than his father. He should manage the affairs that were managed by his father.” “Is that so, my prince?” “That is so, Your Majesty.”

6. Mahāgovindavatthu

Atha kho, bho, rājā disampati aññataraṁ purisaṁ āmantesi: “ehi tvaṁ, ambho purisa, yena jotipālo māṇavo tenupasaṅkama; upasaṅkamitvā jotipālaṁ māṇavaṁ evaṁ vadehi: ‘bhavamatthu bhavantaṁ jotipālaṁ, rājā disampati bhavantaṁ jotipālaṁ māṇavaṁ āmantayati, rājā disampati bhoto jotipālassa māṇavassa dassanakāmo’”ti. “Evaṁ, devā”ti kho, bho, so puriso disampatissa rañño paṭissutvā yena jotipālo māṇavo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā jotipālaṁ māṇavaṁ etadavoca: “bhavamatthu bhavantaṁ jotipālaṁ, rājā disampati bhavantaṁ jotipālaṁ māṇavaṁ āmantayati, rājā disampati bhoto jotipālassa māṇavassa dassanakāmo”ti. “Evaṁ, bho”ti kho, bho, jotipālo māṇavo tassa purisassa paṭissutvā yena rājā disampati tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā disampatinā raññā saddhiṁ sammodi; sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho, bho, jotipālaṁ māṇavaṁ rājā disampati etadavoca: “anusāsatu no bhavaṁ jotipālo, mā no bhavaṁ jotipālo anusāsaniyā paccabyāhāsi. Pettike taṁ ṭhāne ṭhapessāmi, govindiye abhisiñcissāmī”ti. “Evaṁ, bho”ti kho, bho, so jotipālo māṇavo disampatissa rañño paccassosi.

6. The Story of the Great Steward

So King Disampati addressed one of his men, “Please, my man, go to the student Jotipāla, and say to him, ‘Best wishes, Jotipāla! You are summoned by King Disampati; he wants to see you.’” “Yes, Your Majesty,” replied that man, and did as he was asked. Then Jotipāla went to the king and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and the king said to him, “May you, Jotipāla, manage my affairs—please don’t turn me down! I shall appoint you to your father’s position, and anoint you as Steward.” “Yes, worthy sir,” replied Jotipāla.

Atha kho, bho, rājā disampati jotipālaṁ māṇavaṁ govindiye abhisiñci, taṁ pettike ṭhāne ṭhapesi. Abhisitto jotipālo māṇavo govindiye pettike ṭhāne ṭhapito yepissa pitā atthe anusāsi tepi atthe anusāsati, yepissa pitā atthe nānusāsi tepi atthe anusāsati; yepissa pitā kammante abhisambhosi tepi kammante abhisambhoti, yepissa pitā kammante nābhisambhosi tepi kammante abhisambhoti. Tamenaṁ manussā evamāhaṁsu: “govindo vata, bho, brāhmaṇo, mahāgovindo vata, bho, brāhmaṇo”ti. Iminā kho evaṁ, bho, pariyāyena jotipālassa māṇavassa govindo mahāgovindotveva samaññā udapādi.

So the king anointed him as Steward and appointed him to his father’s position. After his appointment, the Steward Jotipāla managed both the affairs that his father had managed, and other affairs that his father had not managed. He organized both the works that his father had organized, and other works that his father had not organized. When people noticed this they said, “The brahmin is indeed a Steward, a Great Steward!” And that’s how the student Jotipāla came to be known as the Great Steward.

6.1. Rajjasaṁvibhajana

Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena te cha khattiyā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te cha khattiye etadavoca: “disampati kho, bho, rājā jiṇṇo vuddho mahallako addhagato vayoanuppatto, ko nu kho pana, bho, jānāti jīvitaṁ? Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ vijjati, yaṁ disampatimhi raññe kālaṅkate rājakattāro reṇuṁ rājaputtaṁ rajje abhisiñceyyuṁ. Āyantu, bhonto, yena reṇu rājaputto tenupasaṅkamatha; upasaṅkamitvā reṇuṁ rājaputtaṁ evaṁ vadetha: ‘mayaṁ kho bhoto reṇussa sahāyā piyā manāpā appaṭikūlā, yaṁsukho bhavaṁ taṁsukhā mayaṁ, yaṁdukkho bhavaṁ taṁdukkhā mayaṁ. Disampati kho, bho, rājā jiṇṇo vuddho mahallako addhagato vayoanuppatto, ko nu kho pana, bho, jānāti jīvitaṁ? Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ vijjati, yaṁ disampatimhi raññe kālaṅkate rājakattāro bhavantaṁ reṇuṁ rajje abhisiñceyyuṁ. Sace bhavaṁ reṇu rajjaṁ labhetha, saṁvibhajetha no rajjenā’”ti.

6.1. Dividing the Realm

Then the Great Steward went to the six aristocrats and said, “King Disampati is old, elderly and senior, advanced in years, and has reached the final stage of life. Who knows how long he has to live? It’s likely that when he passes away the king-makers will anoint Prince Reṇu as king. Come, sirs, go to Prince Reṇu and say, ‘Prince Reṇu, we are your friends, dear, beloved, and cherished. We have shared your joys and sorrows. King Disampati is old, elderly and senior, advanced in years, and has reached the final stage of life. Who knows how long he has to live? It’s likely that when he passes away the king-makers will anoint you as king. If you should gain kingship, share it with us.’”

“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho, bho, te cha khattiyā mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa paṭissutvā yena reṇu rājaputto tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā reṇuṁ rājaputtaṁ etadavocuṁ: “mayaṁ kho bhoto reṇussa sahāyā piyā manāpā appaṭikūlā; yaṁsukho bhavaṁ taṁsukhā mayaṁ, yaṁdukkho bhavaṁ taṁdukkhā mayaṁ. Disampati kho, bho, rājā jiṇṇo vuddho mahallako addhagato vayoanuppatto, ko nu kho pana bho jānāti jīvitaṁ? Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ vijjati, yaṁ disampatimhi raññe kālaṅkate rājakattāro bhavantaṁ reṇuṁ rajje abhisiñceyyuṁ. Sace bhavaṁ reṇu rajjaṁ labhetha, saṁvibhajetha no rajjenā”ti. “Ko nu kho, bho, añño mama vijite sukho bhavetha, aññatra bhavantebhi? Sacāhaṁ, bho, rajjaṁ labhissāmi, saṁvibhajissāmi vo rajjenā”ti.

“Yes, worthy sir,” replied the six aristocrats. They went to Prince Reṇu and put the proposal to him. The prince replied, “Who else, sirs, in my realm ought to prosper if not you? If I gain kingship, I will share it with you all.”

Atha kho, bho, ahorattānaṁ accayena rājā disampati kālamakāsi. Disampatimhi raññe kālaṅkate rājakattāro reṇuṁ rājaputtaṁ rajje abhisiñciṁsu. Abhisitto reṇu rajjena pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāreti. Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena te cha khattiyā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te cha khattiye etadavoca: “disampati kho, bho, rājā kālaṅkato. Abhisitto reṇu rajjena pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāreti. Ko nu kho pana, bho, jānāti, madanīyā kāmā? Āyantu, bhonto, yena reṇu rājā tenupasaṅkamatha; upasaṅkamitvā reṇuṁ rājānaṁ evaṁ vadetha: ‘disampati kho, bho, rājā kālaṅkato, abhisitto bhavaṁ reṇu rajjena, sarati bhavaṁ taṁ vacanan’”ti? “Evaṁ, bho”ti kho, bho, te cha khattiyā mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa paṭissutvā yena reṇu rājā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā reṇuṁ rājānaṁ etadavocuṁ: “disampati kho, bho, rājā kālaṅkato, abhisitto bhavaṁ reṇu rajjena, sarati bhavaṁ taṁ vacanan”ti? “Sarāmahaṁ, bho, taṁ vacanaṁ. Ko nu kho, bho, pahoti imaṁ mahāpathaviṁ uttarena āyataṁ dakkhiṇena sakaṭamukhaṁ sattadhā samaṁ suvibhattaṁ vibhajitun”ti? “Ko nu kho, bho, añño pahoti, aññatra mahāgovindena brāhmaṇenā”ti?

In due course King Disampati passed away. At his passing, the king-makers anointed Prince Reṇu as king. But after being anointed, King Reṇu amused himself, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation. Then the Great Steward went to the six aristocrats and said, “King Disampati has passed away. But after being anointed, King Reṇu amused himself, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation. Who knows the intoxicating power of sensual pleasures? Come, sirs, go to King Reṇu and say, ‘Worthy sir, King Disampati has passed away, and you have been anointed as king. Do you remember what you said?’” “Yes, worthy sir,” replied the six aristocrats. They went to King Reṇu and said, “Worthy sir, King Disampati has passed away, and you have been anointed as king. Do you remember what you said?” “I remember, sirs. Who is able to neatly divide into seven equal parts this great land, so broad in the north and narrow as the front of a cart in the south?” “Who else, sir, if not the Great Steward?”

Atha kho, bho, reṇu rājā aññataraṁ purisaṁ āmantesi: “ehi tvaṁ, ambho purisa, yena mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo tenupasaṅkama; upasaṅkamitvā mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ evaṁ vadehi: ‘rājā taṁ, bhante, reṇu āmantetī’”ti. “Evaṁ, devā”ti kho, bho, so puriso reṇussa rañño paṭissutvā yena mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ etadavoca: “rājā taṁ, bhante, reṇu āmantetī”ti. “Evaṁ, bho”ti kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo tassa purisassa paṭissutvā yena reṇu rājā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā reṇunā raññā saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho, bho, mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ reṇu rājā etadavoca: “etu, bhavaṁ govindo imaṁ mahāpathaviṁ uttarena āyataṁ dakkhiṇena sakaṭamukhaṁ sattadhā samaṁ suvibhattaṁ vibhajatū”ti. “Evaṁ, bho”ti kho bho mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo reṇussa rañño paṭissutvā imaṁ mahāpathaviṁ uttarena āyataṁ dakkhiṇena sakaṭamukhaṁ sattadhā samaṁ suvibhattaṁ vibhaji.

So King Reṇu addressed one of his men, “Please, my man, go to the brahmin Great Steward and say that King Reṇu summons him.” “Yes, Your Majesty,” replied that man, and did as he was asked. Then the Great Steward went to the king and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and the king said to him, “Come, let the good Steward neatly divide into seven equal parts this great land, so broad in the north and narrow as the front of a cart in the south.” “Yes, worthy sir,” replied the Great Steward, and did as he was asked.

Sabbāni sakaṭamukhāni paṭṭhapesi. Tatra sudaṁ majjhe reṇussa rañño janapado hoti. Dantapuraṁ kaliṅgānaṁ, assakānañca potanaṁ; Mahesayaṁ avantīnaṁ, sovīrānañca rorukaṁ. Mithilā ca videhānaṁ, campā aṅgesu māpitā; Bārāṇasī ca kāsīnaṁ, ete govindamāpitāti. Atha kho, bho, te cha khattiyā yathāsakena lābhena attamanā ahesuṁ paripuṇṇasaṅkappā: “yaṁ vata no ahosi icchitaṁ, yaṁ ākaṅkhitaṁ, yaṁ adhippetaṁ, yaṁ abhipatthitaṁ, taṁ no laddhan”ti. Sattabhū brahmadatto ca, vessabhū bharato saha; Reṇu dve dhataraṭṭhā ca, tadāsuṁ satta bhāradhāti.

All were arranged like the fronts of carts, and right in the middle was King Reṇu’s nation. Dantapura for the Kaliṅgas; Potana for the Assakas; Māhissatī for the Avantis; Roruka for the Sovīras; Mithilā for the Videhas; Campā was laid out for the Aṅgas; and Varanasi for the Kāsis: these were laid out by the Steward. Then those six aristocrats were delighted with their respective gains, having achieved all they wished for, “We have received exactly what we wanted, what we wished for, what we desired, what we yearned for.” Sattabhū and Brahmadatta, Vessabhū and Bharata, Reṇu and the two Dhataraṭṭhas: these were the seven Bhāratas.

6.2. Kittisaddaabbhuggamana

Atha kho, bho, te cha khattiyā yena mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ etadavocuṁ: “yathā kho bhavaṁ govindo reṇussa rañño sahāyo piyo manāpo appaṭikūlo. Evameva kho bhavaṁ govindo amhākampi sahāyo piyo manāpo appaṭikūlo, anusāsatu no bhavaṁ govindo; mā no bhavaṁ govindo anusāsaniyā paccabyāhāsī”ti. “Evaṁ, bho”ti kho mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo tesaṁ channaṁ khattiyānaṁ paccassosi. Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo satta ca rājāno khattiye muddhāvasitte rajje anusāsi, satta ca brāhmaṇamahāsāle satta ca nhātakasatāni mante vācesi.

6.2. A Good Reputation

Then the six aristocrats approached the Great Steward and said, “Steward, just as you are King Reṇu’s friend, dear, beloved, and cherished, you are also our friend. Would you manage our affairs? Please don’t turn us down!” “Yes, worthy sirs,” replied the Great Steward. Then the Great Steward managed the realms of the seven kings. And he taught seven well-to-do brahmins, and seven hundred bathed initiates to recite the hymns.

Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa aparena samayena evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggacchi: “sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmānaṁ passati, sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmunā sākaccheti sallapati mantetī”ti. Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa etadahosi: “mayhaṁ kho evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato: ‘sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmānaṁ passati, sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmunā sākaccheti sallapati mantetī’ti. Na kho panāhaṁ brahmānaṁ passāmi, na brahmunā sākacchemi, na brahmunā sallapāmi, na brahmunā mantemi. Sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ vuddhānaṁ mahallakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ: ‘yo vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyati, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyati, so brahmānaṁ passati brahmunā sākaccheti brahmunā sallapati brahmunā mantetī’ti. Yannūnāhaṁ vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyeyyaṁ, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyeyyan”ti.

After some time he got this good reputation, “The Great Steward sees the Divinity in person! The Great Steward discusses, converses, and consults with the Divinity in person!” The Great Steward thought, “I have the reputation of seeing the Divinity in person, and discussing with him in person. But I don’t. I have heard that brahmins of the past who were elderly and senior, the tutors of tutors, said: ‘Whoever goes on retreat for the four months of the rainy season and practices the absorption on compassion sees the Divinity and discusses with him.’ Why don’t I do that?”

Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena reṇu rājā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā reṇuṁ rājānaṁ etadavoca: “mayhaṁ kho, bho, evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato: ‘sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmānaṁ passati, sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmunā sākaccheti sallapati mantetī’ti. Na kho panāhaṁ, bho, brahmānaṁ passāmi, na brahmunā sākacchemi, na brahmunā sallapāmi, na brahmunā mantemi. Sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ vuddhānaṁ mahallakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ: ‘yo vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyati, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyati, so brahmānaṁ passati, brahmunā sākaccheti brahmunā sallapati brahmunā mantetī’ti. Icchāmahaṁ, bho, vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyituṁ, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyituṁ; namhi kenaci upasaṅkamitabbo aññatra ekena bhattābhihārenā”ti. “Yassadāni bhavaṁ govindo kālaṁ maññatī”ti.

So the Great Steward went to King Reṇu and told him of the situation, saying, “Sir, I wish to go on retreat for the four months of the rainy season and practice the absorption on compassion. No one should approach me, except the one who serves my meal.” “Please do so, Steward, at your convenience.”

Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena te cha khattiyā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te cha khattiye etadavoca: “mayhaṁ kho, bho, evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato: ‘sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmānaṁ passati, sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmunā sākaccheti sallapati mantetī’ti. Na kho panāhaṁ, bho, brahmānaṁ passāmi, na brahmunā sākacchemi, na brahmunā sallapāmi, na brahmunā mantemi. Sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ vuddhānaṁ mahallakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ, ‘yo vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyati, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyati, so brahmānaṁ passati brahmunā sākaccheti brahmunā sallapati brahmunā mantetī’ti. Icchāmahaṁ, bho, vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyituṁ, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyituṁ; namhi kenaci upasaṅkamitabbo aññatra ekena bhattābhihārenā”ti. “Yassadāni bhavaṁ govindo kālaṁ maññatī”ti.

Then the Great Steward went to the six aristocrats to put the same proposal, and received the same reply.

Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena te satta ca brāhmaṇamahāsālā satta ca nhātakasatāni tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te satta ca brāhmaṇamahāsāle satta ca nhātakasatāni etadavoca: “mayhaṁ kho, bho, evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato: ‘sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmānaṁ passati, sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmunā sākaccheti sallapati mantetī’ti. Na kho panāhaṁ, bho, brahmānaṁ passāmi, na brahmunā sākacchemi, na brahmunā sallapāmi, na brahmunā mantemi. Sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ vuddhānaṁ mahallakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ: ‘yo vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyati, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyati, so brahmānaṁ passati, brahmunā sākaccheti, brahmunā sallapati, brahmunā mantetī’ti. Tena hi, bho, yathāsute yathāpariyatte mante vitthārena sajjhāyaṁ karotha, aññamaññañca mante vācetha; icchāmahaṁ, bho, vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyituṁ, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyituṁ; namhi kenaci upasaṅkamitabbo aññatra ekena bhattābhihārenā”ti. “Yassadāni bhavaṁ govindo kālaṁ maññatī”ti.

He also went to the seven well-to-do brahmins and seven hundred bathed initiates and put to them the same proposal, adding, “Sirs, rehearse the hymns in detail as you have learned and memorized them, and teach each other how to recite.” And they too said, “Please do so, Steward, at your convenience.”

Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena cattārīsā bhariyā sādisiyo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā cattārīsā bhariyā sādisiyo etadavoca: “mayhaṁ kho, bhotī, evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato: ‘sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmānaṁ passati, sakkhi mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmunā sākaccheti sallapati mantetī’ti. Na kho panāhaṁ, bhotī, brahmānaṁ passāmi, na brahmunā sākacchemi, na brahmunā sallapāmi, na brahmunā mantemi. Sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ vuddhānaṁ mahallakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ ‘yo vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyati, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyati, so brahmānaṁ passati, brahmunā sākaccheti, brahmunā sallapati, brahmunā mantetī’ti, icchāmahaṁ, bhotī, vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyituṁ, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyituṁ; namhi kenaci upasaṅkamitabbo aññatra ekena bhattābhihārenā”ti. “Yassadāni bhavaṁ govindo kālaṁ maññatī”ti.

Then the Great Steward went to his forty equal wives to put the same proposal to them, and received the same reply.

Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo puratthimena nagarassa navaṁ sandhāgāraṁ kārāpetvā vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyi, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyi; nāssudha koci upasaṅkamati aññatra ekena bhattābhihārena. Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa catunnaṁ māsānaṁ accayena ahudeva ukkaṇṭhanā ahu paritassanā: “sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ vuddhānaṁ mahallakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ: ‘yo vassike cattāro māse paṭisallīyati, karuṇaṁ jhānaṁ jhāyati, so brahmānaṁ passati, brahmunā sākaccheti brahmunā sallapati brahmunā mantetī’ti. Na kho panāhaṁ brahmānaṁ passāmi, na brahmunā sākacchemi na brahmunā sallapāmi na brahmunā mantemī”ti.

Then the Great Steward had a new ceremonial hall built to the east of his citadel, where he went on retreat for the four months of the rainy season and practiced the absorption on compassion. And no one approached him except the one who served his meals. But then, when the four months had passed, the Great Steward became dissatisfied and anxious, “I have heard that brahmins of the past said that whoever goes on retreat for the four months of the rainy season and practices the absorption on compassion sees the Divinity and discusses with him. But I neither see the Divinity nor discuss with him.”

6.3. Brahmunāsākacchā

Atha kho, bho, brahmā sanaṅkumāro mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—brahmaloke antarahito mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa sammukhe pāturahosi. Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa ahudeva bhayaṁ ahu chambhitattaṁ ahu lomahaṁso yathā taṁ adiṭṭhapubbaṁ rūpaṁ disvā. Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo bhīto saṁviggo lomahaṭṭhajāto brahmānaṁ sanaṅkumāraṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi: “Vaṇṇavā yasavā sirimā, ko nu tvamasi mārisa; Ajānantā taṁ pucchāma, kathaṁ jānemu taṁ mayan”ti. “Maṁ ve kumāraṁ jānanti, brahmaloke sanantanaṁ; Sabbe jānanti maṁ devā, evaṁ govinda jānahi”. “Āsanaṁ udakaṁ pajjaṁ, madhusākañca brahmuno; Agghe bhavantaṁ pucchāma, agghaṁ kurutu no bhavaṁ”. “Paṭiggaṇhāma te agghaṁ, yaṁ tvaṁ govinda bhāsasi; Diṭṭhadhammahitatthāya, samparāya sukhāya ca; Katāvakāso pucchassu, yaṁ kiñci abhipatthitan”ti.

6.3. A Discussion With the Divinity

And then the divinity Sanaṅkumāra, knowing the Great Steward’s train of thought, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, vanished from the realm of divinity and reappeared in the Great Steward’s presence. At that, the Great Steward became frightened, scared, his hair standing on end, as he had never seen such a sight before. So he addressed the divinity Sanaṅkumāra in verse: “Who might you be, sir, so beautiful, glorious, majestic? Not knowing, I ask— how am I to know who you are?” “In the realm of divinity they know me as ‘The Eternal Youth’. All the gods know me thus, and so you should know me, Steward.” “A Divinity deserves a seat and water, foot-salve, and sweet cakes. Sir, I ask you to please accept these gifts of hospitality.” “I accept the gifts of hospitality of which you speak. I grant you the opportunity to ask whatever you desire— about welfare and benefit in this life, or happiness in lives to come.”

Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa etadahosi: “katāvakāso khomhi brahmunā sanaṅkumārena. Kiṁ nu kho ahaṁ brahmānaṁ sanaṅkumāraṁ puccheyyaṁ diṭṭhadhammikaṁ vā atthaṁ samparāyikaṁ vā”ti? Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa etadahosi: “kusalo kho ahaṁ diṭṭhadhammikānaṁ atthānaṁ, aññepi maṁ diṭṭhadhammikaṁ atthaṁ pucchanti. Yannūnāhaṁ brahmānaṁ sanaṅkumāraṁ samparāyikaññeva atthaṁ puccheyyan”ti. Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo brahmānaṁ sanaṅkumāraṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi: “Pucchāmi brahmānaṁ sanaṅkumāraṁ, Kaṅkhī akaṅkhiṁ paravediyesu; Katthaṭṭhito kimhi ca sikkhamāno, Pappoti macco amataṁ brahmalokan”ti. “Hitvā mamattaṁ manujesu brahme, Ekodibhūto karuṇedhimutto; Nirāmagandho virato methunasmā, Etthaṭṭhito ettha ca sikkhamāno; Pappoti macco amataṁ brahmalokan”ti.

Then the Great Steward thought, “the divinity Sanaṅkumāra has granted me an opportunity. Should I ask him about what is beneficial for this life or lives to come?” Then he thought, “I’m skilled in what is beneficial for this life, and others even ask me about it. Why don’t I ask the Divinity about the benefit that specifically applies to lives to come?” So he addressed the divinity Sanaṅkumāra in verse: “I’m in doubt, so I ask the Divinity—who is free of doubt— about things one may learn from another. Standing on what, training in what may a mortal reach the deathless realm of divinity?” “He among mankind, O brahmin, has given up possessiveness, at one, compassionate, free of putrefaction, and refraining from sex. Standing on that, training in that a mortal may reach the deathless realm of divinity.”

“‘Hitvā mamattan’ti ahaṁ, bhoto, ājānāmi. Idhekacco appaṁ vā bhogakkhandhaṁ pahāya mahantaṁ vā bhogakkhandhaṁ pahāya appaṁ vā ñātiparivaṭṭaṁ pahāya mahantaṁ vā ñātiparivaṭṭaṁ pahāya kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajati, iti ‘hitvā mamattan’ti ahaṁ, bhoto, ājānāmi. ‘Ekodibhūto’ti ahaṁ, bhoto, ājānāmi. Idhekacco vivittaṁ senāsanaṁ bhajati araññaṁ rukkhamūlaṁ pabbataṁ kandaraṁ giriguhaṁ susānaṁ vanapatthaṁ abbhokāsaṁ palālapuñjaṁ, iti ‘ekodibhūto’ti ahaṁ, bhoto, ājānāmi. ‘Karuṇedhimutto’ti ahaṁ, bhoto, ājānāmi. Idhekacco karuṇāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā viharati, tathā dutiyaṁ, tathā tatiyaṁ, tathā catutthaṁ. Iti uddhamadhotiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ karuṇāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjena pharitvā viharati. Iti ‘karuṇedhimutto’ti ahaṁ, bhoto, ājānāmi. Āmagandhe ca kho ahaṁ, bhoto, bhāsamānassa na ājānāmi. Ke āmagandhā manujesu brahme, Ete avidvā idha brūhi dhīra; Kenāvaṭā vāti pajā kurutu, Āpāyikā nivutabrahmalokā”ti. “Kodho mosavajjaṁ nikati ca dubbho, Kadariyatā atimāno usūyā; Icchā vivicchā paraheṭhanā ca, Lobho ca doso ca mado ca moho; Etesu yuttā anirāmagandhā, Āpāyikā nivutabrahmalokā”ti. “Yathā kho ahaṁ, bhoto, āmagandhe bhāsamānassa ājānāmi. Te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā. Pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti. “Yassadāni bhavaṁ govindo kālaṁ maññatī”ti.

“Sir, I understand what ‘giving up possessiveness’ means. It’s when someone gives up a large or small fortune, and a large or small family circle. They shave off hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness. That’s how I understand ‘giving up possessiveness’. Sir, I understand what ‘at one’ means. It’s when someone frequents a secluded lodging—a wilderness, the root of a tree, a hill, a ravine, a mountain cave, a charnel ground, a forest, the open air, a heap of straw. That’s how I understand ‘at one’. Sir, I understand what ‘compassionate’ means. It’s when someone meditates spreading a heart full of compassion 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, they spread a heart full of compassion to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will. That’s how I understand ‘compassionate’. But I don’t understand what you say about putrefaction. What among mankind, O the Divinity, is putrefaction? I don’t understand, so tell me, attentive one: wrapped in what do people stink, headed for hell, shut out of the realm of divinity?” “Anger, lies, cheating, and treachery, miserliness, vanity, jealousy, desire, stinginess, harassing others, greed, hate, vanity, and delusion— those bound to such things are not devoid of putrefaction; they’re headed for hell, shut out of the realm of divinity.” “As I understand what you say about putrefaction, it’s not easy to quell while living at home. I shall go forth from the lay life to homelessness!” “Please do so, Steward, at your convenience.”

6.4. Reṇurājaāmantanā

Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena reṇu rājā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā reṇuṁ rājānaṁ etadavoca: “aññaṁ dāni bhavaṁ purohitaṁ pariyesatu, yo bhoto rajjaṁ anusāsissati. Icchāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ. Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā. Pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti. “Āmantayāmi rājānaṁ, reṇuṁ bhūmipatiṁ ahaṁ; Tvaṁ pajānassu rajjena, nāhaṁ porohicce rame”. “Sace te ūnaṁ kāmehi, ahaṁ paripūrayāmi te; Yo taṁ hiṁsati vāremi, bhūmisenāpati ahaṁ; Tuvaṁ pitā ahaṁ putto, mā no govinda pājahi”. “Namatthi ūnaṁ kāmehi, hiṁsitā me na vijjati; Amanussavaco sutvā, tasmāhaṁ na gahe rame”. “Amanusso kathaṁvaṇṇo, kiṁ te atthaṁ abhāsatha; Yañca sutvā jahāsi no, gehe amhe ca kevalī”. “Upavutthassa me pubbe, yiṭṭhukāmassa me sato; Aggi pajjalito āsi, kusapattaparitthato. Tato me brahmā pāturahu, brahmalokā sanantano; So me pañhaṁ viyākāsi, taṁ sutvā na gahe rame”. “Saddahāmi ahaṁ bhoto, yaṁ tvaṁ govinda bhāsasi; Amanussavaco sutvā, kathaṁ vattetha aññathā. Te taṁ anuvattissāma, satthā govinda no bhavaṁ; Maṇi yathā veḷuriyo, akāco vimalo subho; Evaṁ suddhā carissāma, govindassānusāsaneti. Sace bhavaṁ govindo agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissati, mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma. Atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti.

6.4. Informing King Reṇu

So the Great Steward went to King Reṇu and said, “Worthy sir, please now find another high priest to manage the affairs of state for you. I wish to go forth from the lay life to homelessness. As I understand what the Divinity says about putrefaction, it’s not easy to quell while living at home. I shall go forth from the lay life to homelessness. I announce to King Reṇu, the lord of the land: you must learn how to rule, for I no longer care for my ministry.” “If you’re lacking any pleasures, I’ll supply them for you. I’ll protect you from any harm, for I command the nation’s army. You are my father, I am your son! O Steward, please don’t leave!” “I’m lacking no pleasures, and no one is harming me. I’ve heard a non-human voice, so I no longer care for lay life.” “What was that non-human like? What did he say to you, hearing which you would abandon our house and all our people?” “Before entering this retreat, I only liked to sacrifice. I kindled the sacred flame, strewn about with kusa grass. But then the Divinity the Eternal Youth appeared to me from the realm of divinity. He answered my question, hearing which I no longer care for lay life.” “I have faith, O Steward, in that of which you speak. Having heard a non-human voice, what else could you do? We will follow your example, Steward, be my Teacher! Like a gem of beryl— flawless, immaculate, beautiful— that’s how pure we shall live, in the Steward’s dispensation. If the Steward is going forth from the lay life to homelessness, we shall do so too. Your destiny shall be ours.”

6.5. Chakhattiyaāmantanā

Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena te cha khattiyā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te cha khattiye etadavoca: “aññaṁ dāni bhavanto purohitaṁ pariyesantu, yo bhavantānaṁ rajje anusāsissati. Icchāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ. Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā. Pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti.

6.5. Informing the Six Aristocrats

Then the Great Steward went to the six aristocrats and said, “Good fellows, please now find another high priest to manage the affairs of state for you. I wish to go forth from the lay life to homelessness. As I understand what the Divinity says about putrefaction, it’s not easy to quell while living at home. I shall go forth from the lay life to homelessness!”

Atha kho, bho, te cha khattiyā ekamantaṁ apakkamma evaṁ samacintesuṁ: “ime kho brāhmaṇā nāma dhanaluddhā; yannūna mayaṁ mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ dhanena sikkheyyāmā”ti. Te mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu: “saṁvijjati kho, bho, imesu sattasu rajjesu pahūtaṁ sāpateyyaṁ, tato bhoto yāvatakena attho, tāvatakaṁ āharīyatan”ti. “Alaṁ, bho, mamapidaṁ pahūtaṁ sāpateyyaṁ bhavantānaṁyeva vāhasā. Tamahaṁ sabbaṁ pahāya agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāmi. Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā, pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti. Atha kho, bho, te cha khattiyā ekamantaṁ apakkamma evaṁ samacintesuṁ: “ime kho brāhmaṇā nāma itthiluddhā; yannūna mayaṁ mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ itthīhi sikkheyyāmā”ti. Te mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu: “saṁvijjanti kho, bho, imesu sattasu rajjesu pahūtā itthiyo, tato bhoto yāvatikāhi attho, tāvatikā ānīyatan”ti. “Alaṁ, bho, mamapimā cattārīsā bhariyā sādisiyo. Tāpāhaṁ sabbā pahāya agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāmi. Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā, pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyanti”.

Then the six aristocrats withdrew to one side and thought up a plan, “These brahmins are greedy for wealth. Why don’t we bestow him with wealth?” They returned to the Great Steward and said, “In these seven kingdoms there is abundant wealth. We’ll get you as much as you want.” “Enough, sirs. I already have abundant wealth, owing to my lords. Giving up all that, I shall go forth.” Then the six aristocrats withdrew to one side and thought up a plan, “These brahmins are greedy for women. Why don’t we bestow him with women?” They returned to the Great Steward and said, “In these seven kingdoms there are many women. We’ll get you as many as you want.” “Enough, sirs. I already have forty equal wives. Giving up all them, I shall go forth.”

“Sace bhavaṁ govindo agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissati, mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma, atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti. “Sace jahatha kāmāni, yattha satto puthujjano; Ārambhavho daḷhā hotha, khantībalasamāhitā. Esa maggo ujumaggo, esa maggo anuttaro; Saddhammo sabbhi rakkhito, brahmalokūpapattiyā”ti.

“If the Steward is going forth from the lay life to homelessness, we shall do so too. Your destiny shall be ours.” “If you all give up sensual pleasures, to which ordinary people are attached, exert yourselves, being strong, and possessing the power of patience. This path is the straight path, this path is supreme. Guarded by the good, the true teaching leads to rebirth in the realm of divinity.”

“Tena hi bhavaṁ govindo satta vassāni āgametu. Sattannaṁ vassānaṁ accayena mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma, atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti. “Aticiraṁ kho, bho, satta vassāni, nāhaṁ sakkomi, bhavante, satta vassāni āgametuṁ. Ko nu kho pana, bho, jānāti jīvitānaṁ. Gamanīyo samparāyo, mantāyaṁ boddhabbaṁ, kattabbaṁ kusalaṁ, caritabbaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, natthi jātassa amaraṇaṁ. Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā, pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti.

“Well then, sir, please wait for seven years. When seven years have passed, we shall go forth with you. Your destiny shall be ours.” “Seven years is too long, sirs. I cannot wait that long. Who knows what will happen to the living? We are headed for lives to come. We must be thoughtful and wake up! We must do what’s good and lead the spiritual life, for no one born can escape death. I shall go forth.”

“Tena hi bhavaṁ govindo chabbassāni āgametu …pe… pañca vassāni āgametu … cattāri vassāni āgametu … tīṇi vassāni āgametu … dve vassāni āgametu … ekaṁ vassaṁ āgametu, ekassa vassassa accayena mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma, atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti.

“Well then, sir, please wait for six years, five years, four years, three years, two years, one year,

“Aticiraṁ kho, bho, ekaṁ vassaṁ, nāhaṁ sakkomi bhavante ekaṁ vassaṁ āgametuṁ. Ko nu kho pana, bho, jānāti jīvitānaṁ. Gamanīyo samparāyo, mantāyaṁ boddhabbaṁ, kattabbaṁ kusalaṁ, caritabbaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, natthi jātassa amaraṇaṁ. Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā, pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti. “Tena hi bhavaṁ govindo satta māsāni āgametu, sattannaṁ māsānaṁ accayena mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma, atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti.

seven months,

“Aticiraṁ kho, bho, satta māsāni, nāhaṁ sakkomi bhavante satta māsāni āgametuṁ. Ko nu kho pana, bho, jānāti jīvitānaṁ. Gamanīyo samparāyo, mantāyaṁ boddhabbaṁ, kattabbaṁ kusalaṁ, caritabbaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, natthi jātassa amaraṇaṁ. Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā, pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti. “Tena hi bhavaṁ govindo cha māsāni āgametu …pe… pañca māsāni āgametu … cattāri māsāni āgametu … tīṇi māsāni āgametu … dve māsāni āgametu … ekaṁ māsaṁ āgametu … addhamāsaṁ āgametu, addhamāsassa accayena mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma, atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti.

six months, five months, four months, three months, two months, one month, or even a fortnight. When a fortnight has passed, we shall go forth. Your destiny shall be ours.”

“Aticiraṁ kho, bho, addhamāso, nāhaṁ sakkomi bhavante addhamāsaṁ āgametuṁ. Ko nu kho pana, bho, jānāti jīvitānaṁ. Gamanīyo samparāyo, mantāyaṁ boddhabbaṁ, kattabbaṁ kusalaṁ, caritabbaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, natthi jātassa amaraṇaṁ. Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā, pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti. “Tena hi bhavaṁ govindo sattāhaṁ āgametu, yāva mayaṁ sake puttabhātaro rajjena anusāsissāma, sattāhassa accayena mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma, atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti. “Na ciraṁ kho, bho, sattāhaṁ, āgamessāmahaṁ bhavante sattāhan”ti.

“A fortnight is too long, sirs. I cannot wait that long. Who knows what will happen to the living? We are headed for lives to come. We must be thoughtful and wake up! We must do what’s good and lead the spiritual life, for no one born can escape death. As I understand what the Divinity says about putrefaction, it’s not easy to quell while living at home. I shall go forth from the lay life to homelessness.” “Well then, sir, please wait for a week, so that we can instruct our sons and brothers in kingship. When a week has passed, we shall go forth. Your destiny shall be ours.” “A week is not too long, sirs. I will wait that long.”

6.6. Brāhmaṇamahāsālādīnaṁāmantanā

Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena te satta ca brāhmaṇamahāsālā satta ca nhātakasatāni tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te satta ca brāhmaṇamahāsāle satta ca nhātakasatāni etadavoca: “aññaṁ dāni bhavanto ācariyaṁ pariyesantu, yo bhavantānaṁ mante vācessati. Icchāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ. Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa. Te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā, pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti. “Mā bhavaṁ govindo agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbaji. Pabbajjā, bho, appesakkhā ca appalābhā ca; brahmaññaṁ mahesakkhañca mahālābhañcā”ti. “Mā bhavanto evaṁ avacuttha: ‘pabbajjā appesakkhā ca appalābhā ca, brahmaññaṁ mahesakkhañca mahālābhañcā’ti. Ko nu kho, bho, aññatra mayā mahesakkhataro vā mahālābhataro vā. Ahañhi, bho, etarahi rājāva raññaṁ brahmāva brāhmaṇānaṁ devatāva gahapatikānaṁ. Tamahaṁ sabbaṁ pahāya agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāmi. Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā. Pabbajissāmahaṁ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti. “Sace bhavaṁ govindo agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissati, mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma, atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti.

6.6. Informing the Brahmins

Then the Great Steward also went to the seven well-to-do brahmins and seven hundred bathed initiates and said, “Good fellows, please now find another tutor to teach you to recite the hymns. I wish to go forth from the lay life to homelessness. As I understand what the Divinity says about putrefaction, it’s not easy to quell while living at home. I shall go forth from the lay life to homelessness.” “Please don’t go forth from the lay life to homelessness! The life of one gone forth is of little influence or profit, whereas the life of a brahmin is of great influence and profit.” “Please, good fellows, don’t say that. Who has greater influence and profit than myself? For now I am like a king to kings, like the Divinity to brahmins, like a deity to householders. Giving up all that, I shall go forth. As I understand what the Divinity says about putrefaction, it’s not easy to quell while living at home. I shall go forth from the lay life to homelessness.” “If the Steward is going forth from the lay life to homelessness, we shall do so too. Your destiny shall be ours.”

6.7. Bhariyānaṁāmantanā

Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena cattārīsā bhariyā sādisiyo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā cattārīsā bhariyā sādisiyo etadavoca: “yā bhotīnaṁ icchati, sakāni vā ñātikulāni gacchatu aññaṁ vā bhattāraṁ pariyesatu. Icchāmahaṁ, bhotī, agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ. Yathā kho pana me sutaṁ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā. Pabbajissāmahaṁ, bhotī, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti. “Tvaññeva no ñāti ñātikāmānaṁ, tvaṁ pana bhattā bhattukāmānaṁ. Sace bhavaṁ govindo agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissati, mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāma, atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti.

6.7. Informing the Wives

Then the Great Steward went to his forty equal wives and said, “Ladies, please do whatever you wish, whether returning to your own families, or finding another husband. I wish to go forth from the lay life to homelessness. As I understand what the Divinity says about putrefaction, it’s not easy to quell while living at home. I shall go forth from the lay life to homelessness.” “You are the only family we want! You are the only husband we want! If you are going forth from the lay life to homelessness, we shall do so too. Your destiny shall be ours.”

6.8. Mahāgovindapabbajjā

Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo tassa sattāhassa accayena kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbaji. Pabbajitaṁ pana mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ satta ca rājāno khattiyā muddhāvasittā satta ca brāhmaṇamahāsālā satta ca nhātakasatāni cattārīsā ca bhariyā sādisiyo anekāni ca khattiyasahassāni anekāni ca brāhmaṇasahassāni anekāni ca gahapatisahassāni anekehi ca itthāgārehi itthiyo kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā mahāgovindaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitaṁ anupabbajiṁsu. Tāya sudaṁ, bho, parisāya parivuto mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo gāmanigamarājadhānīsu cārikaṁ carati. Yaṁ kho pana, bho, tena samayena mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā upasaṅkamati, tattha rājāva hoti raññaṁ, brahmāva brāhmaṇānaṁ, devatāva gahapatikānaṁ. Tena kho pana samayena manussā khipanti vā upakkhalanti vā. Te evamāhaṁsu: “namatthu mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa, namatthu satta purohitassā”ti.

6.8. The Great Steward Goes Forth

When a week had passed, the Great Steward shaved off his hair and beard, dressed in ocher robes, and went forth from the lay life to homelessness. And when he had gone forth, the seven anointed aristocrat kings, the seven brahmins with seven hundred initiates, the forty equal wives, and many thousands of aristocrats, brahmins, householders, and many harem women shaved off their hair and beards, dressed in ocher robes, and went forth from the lay life to homelessness. Escorted by that assembly, the Great Steward wandered on tour among the villages, towns, and capital cities. And at that time, whenever he arrived at a village or town, he was like a king to kings, like the Divinity to brahmins, like a deity to householders. And whenever people sneezed or tripped over they’d say: “Homage to the Great Steward! Homage to the high priest for the seven!”

Mahāgovindo, bho, brāhmaṇo 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 …pe… abyāpajjena pharitvā vihāsi. Sāvakānañca brahmalokasahabyatāya maggaṁ desesi.

And the Great Steward 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 above, below, across, everywhere, all around, he spread a heart full of love to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will. He meditated spreading a heart full of compassion … rejoicing … 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. And he taught his disciples the path to rebirth in the company of Divinity.

Ye kho pana, bho, tena samayena mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa sāvakā sabbenasabbaṁ sāsanaṁ ājāniṁsu. Te kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ brahmalokaṁ upapajjiṁsu. Ye na sabbenasabbaṁ sāsanaṁ ājāniṁsu, te kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā appekacce paranimmitavasavattīnaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjiṁsu; appekacce nimmānaratīnaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjiṁsu; appekacce tusitānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjiṁsu; appekacce yāmānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjiṁsu; appekacce tāvatiṁsānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjiṁsu; appekacce cātumahārājikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjiṁsu; ye sabbanihīnaṁ kāyaṁ paripūresuṁ te gandhabbakāyaṁ paripūresuṁ. Iti kho, bho, sabbesaṁyeva tesaṁ kulaputtānaṁ amoghā pabbajjā ahosi avañjhā saphalā saudrayā’ti. Sarati taṁ bhagavā”ti?

Those of his disciples who completely understood the Great Steward’s instructions, at the breaking up of the body, after death, were reborn in the realm of divinity. Of those disciples who only partly understood the Great Steward’s instructions, some were reborn in the company of the gods who control what is created by others, while some were reborn in the company of the gods who love to create, or the joyful gods, or the gods of Yama, or the gods of the thirty-three, or the gods of the four great kings. And at the very least they swelled the hosts of the centaurs. And so the going forth of all those gentlemen was not in vain, was not barren, but was fruitful and fertile.’ Do you remember this, Blessed One?”

“Sarāmahaṁ, pañcasikha. Ahaṁ tena samayena mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo ahosiṁ. Ahaṁ tesaṁ sāvakānaṁ brahmalokasahabyatāya maggaṁ desesiṁ. Taṁ kho pana me, pañcasikha, brahmacariyaṁ na nibbidāya na virāgāya na nirodhāya na upasamāya na abhiññāya na sambodhāya na nibbānāya saṁvattati, yāvadeva brahmalokūpapattiyā. Idaṁ kho pana me, pañcasikha, brahmacariyaṁ ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati. Katamañca taṁ, pañcasikha, brahmacariyaṁ ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati? Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo. Seyyathidaṁ—sammādiṭṭhi sammāsaṅkappo sammāvācā sammākammanto sammāājīvo sammāvāyāmo sammāsati sammāsamādhi. Idaṁ kho taṁ, pañcasikha, brahmacariyaṁ ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati.

“I remember, Pañcasikha. I myself was the brahmin Great Steward at that time. And I taught those disciples the path to rebirth in the company of Divinity. But that spiritual path of mine doesn’t lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. It only leads as far as rebirth in the realm of divinity. But this spiritual path does lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. And what is the spiritual path that leads to extinguishment? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is the spiritual path that leads to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.

Ye kho pana me, pañcasikha, sāvakā sabbenasabbaṁ sāsanaṁ ājānanti, te āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharanti; ye na sabbenasabbaṁ sāsanaṁ ājānanti, te pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātikā honti tattha parinibbāyino anāvattidhammā tasmā lokā. Ye na sabbenasabbaṁ sāsanaṁ ājānanti, appekacce tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā rāgadosamohānaṁ tanuttā sakadāgāmino honti sakideva imaṁ lokaṁ āgantvā dukkhassantaṁ karissanti. Ye na sabbenasabbaṁ sāsanaṁ ājānanti, appekacce tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpannā honti avinipātadhammā niyatā sambodhiparāyaṇā. Iti kho, pañcasikha, sabbesaṁyeva imesaṁ kulaputtānaṁ amoghā pabbajjā avañjhā saphalā saudrayā”ti. Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamano pañcasikho gandhabbaputto bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyīti.

Those of my disciples who completely understand my instructions realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. And they live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements. Of those disciples who only partly understand my instructions, some, with the ending of the five lower fetters, become reborn spontaneously. They are extinguished there, and are not liable to return from that world. Some, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, become once-returners. They come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering. And some, with the ending of three fetters, become stream-enterers, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening. And so the going forth of all those gentlemen was not in vain, was not barren, but was fruitful and fertile.” That is what the Buddha said. Delighted, the centaur Pañcasikha approved and agreed with what the Buddha said. He bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before vanishing right there.