SN 2.21

Sivasutta

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Atha kho sivo devaputto abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇo kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho sivo devaputto bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

With Shiva

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then, late at night, the glorious godling Shiva, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

“Sabbhireva samāsetha, sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, seyyo hoti na pāpiyo.

“Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, things get better, not worse.

Sabbhireva samāsetha, sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, paññā labbhati nāññato.

Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, wisdom is gained—but not from anyone else.

Sabbhireva samāsetha, sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, sokamajjhe na socati.

Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, you grieve not among the grieving.

Sabbhireva samāsetha, sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, ñātimajjhe virocati.

Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, you dazzle among your relatives.

Sabbhireva samāsetha, sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, sattā gacchanti suggatiṁ.

Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, sentient beings go to a good place.

Sabbhireva samāsetha, sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, sattā tiṭṭhanti sātatan”ti.

Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, sentient beings live happily.”

Atha kho bhagavā sivaṁ devaputtaṁ gāthāya paccabhāsi:

Then the Buddha replied to Shiva in verse:

“Sabbhireva samāsetha, sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, sabbadukkhā pamuccatī”ti.

“Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, you’re released from all suffering.”