Sutta Nipata Chapter 3: The Great Chapter
3:11 The Sages Asita and Nālaka
- © Translated from the Pali by Bhante Sujato.(More copyright information)
3:11 The Sages Asita and Nālaka
Prologue—Telling the story
Narrator
679
The hermit Asita in his daily meditation
saw the bright-clad gods of the Thirty-Three
and their lord Sakka joyfully celebrating,
waving streamers in exuberant exaltation.
680
Seeing the gods rejoicing, elated,
he paid respects and said this there:
“Why is the community of gods in such excellent spirits?
Why take up streamers and whirl them about?
681
Even in the war with the demons,
when gods were victorious and demons defeated,
there was no such excitement.
What marvel have the celestials seen that they so rejoice?
682
Shouting and singing and playing music,
they clap their hands and dance.
I ask you, dwellers on Mount Meru’s peak,
quickly dispel my doubt, good sirs!”
Devas
683
“The being intent on awakening, a peerless gem,
has been born in the human realm for the sake of welfare and happiness,
in Lumbinī, a village in the Sakyan land.
That’s why we’re so happy, in such excellent spirits.
684
He is supreme among all beings, the best of people,
a bull among men, supreme among all creatures.
He will roll forth the wheel in the grove of the hermits,
roaring like a mighty lion, lord of beasts.”
Narrator
685
Hearing this, he swiftly descended
and right away approached Suddhodana’s home.
Seated there he said this to the Sakyans,
“Where is the boy? I too wish to see him!”
Narrator
Then the Sakyans showed their son to the one named Asita
686
the boy shone like burning gold
well-wrought in the forge;
resplendent with glory, of peerless beauty.
687
The boy beamed like crested flame,
pure as the moon, lord of stars traversing the sky,
blazing like the sun free of clouds after the rains;
seeing him, he was joyful, brimming with happiness.
688
The celestials held up a parasol in the sky,
many-ribbed and thousand-circled;
and golden-handled chowries waved—
but none could see who held the chowries or the parasols.
689
When the dreadlocked hermit they called “Dark Splendor”
had seen the boy like a gold nugget on a cream rug
with a white parasol held over his head,
he received him, elated and happy.
690
Having received the Sakyan bull,
the seeker, master of marks and hymns,
lifted up his voice with confident heart:
“He is supreme, the best of men!”
Narrator
691
But then, remembering he would depart this world,
his spirits fell and his tears flowed.
Seeing the weeping hermit, the Sakyans said,
“Surely there will be no threat to the boy?”
Narrator
692
Seeing the crestfallen Sakyans, the hermit said,
“I do not forsee harm befall the boy,
and there will be no threat to him,
not in the least; set your minds at ease.
693
This boy shall reach the highest awakening.
As one of perfectly purified vision, compassionate for the welfare of the many,
he shall roll forth the wheel of the teaching;
his spiritual path will become widespread.
694
But I have not long left in this life,
I shall die before then.
I will never hear the teaching of the one who bore the unequaled burden.
That’s why I’m so upset and distraught—it’s a disaster for me!”
Narrator
695
Having brought abundant happiness to the Sakyans,
the spiritual seeker left the royal compound.
He had a nephew; and out of compassion
he encouraged him in the teaching of the one who bore the unequaled burden.
Asita
696
“When you hear the voice of another saying ‘Buddha’—
one who has attained awakening and who reveals the foremost teaching—
go there and ask about his breakthrough;
lead the spiritual life under that Blessed One.”
Narrator
697
Now, that Nālaka had a store of accumulated merit;
so when instructed by one of such kindly intent,
with perfectly purified vision of the future,
he waited in hope for the Victor, guarding his senses.
698
When he heard of the Victor rolling forth the excellent wheel he went to him,
and seeing the leading hermit, he became confident.
The time of Asita’s instruction had arrived;
so he asked the excellent sage about the highest sagacity.
The introductory verses are finished.
Nālaka
699
“I now know that Asita’s words
have turned out to be true.
I ask you this, Gotama,
who has gone beyond all things:
700
For one who has entered the homeless life,
seeking food on alms round,
when questioned, O sage, please tell me
of sagacity, the ultimate state.”
Buddha
701
“I shall school you in sagacity,”
said the Buddha,
“so difficult and challenging.
Come, I shall tell you all about it.
Brace yourself; stay strong!
702
In the village, keep the same attitude
no matter if reviled or praised.
Guard against ill-tempered thoughts,
wander peaceful, not frantic.
703
Many different things come up,
like tongues of fire in a forest.
Women try to seduce a sage—
let them not seduce you!
704
Refraining from sex,
having left behind sensual pleasures high and low,
don’t be hostile or attached
to living creatures firm or frail.
705
‘As am I, so are they;
as are they, so am I’—
Treating others like oneself,
neither kill nor incite to kill.
706
Leaving behind desire and greed
for what ordinary people are attached to,
a seer would set out to practice,
they’d cross over this abyss.
707
With empty stomach, taking limited food,
few in wishes, not greedy;
truly hungerless regarding all desires,
desireless, one is quenched.
708
Having wandered for alms,
they’d take themselves into the forest;
and nearing the foot of a tree,
the sage would take their seat.
709
That wise one intent on absorption,
would delight within the forest.
They’d practice absorption at the foot of a tree,
filling themselves with bliss.
710
Then, at the end of the night,
they’d take themselves into a village.
They’d not welcome being called,
nor offerings brought from the village.
711
A sage who has come to a village
would not walk hastily among the families.
They’d not discuss their search for food,
nor would they speak suggestively.
712
‘I got something, that’s good.
I got nothing, that’s fine.’
Impartial in both cases,
they return right to the tree.
713
Wandering with bowl in hand,
not dumb, but thought to be dumb,
they wouldn’t scorn a tiny gift,
nor look down upon the giver.
714
For the practice has many aspects,
as explained by the Ascetic.
They do not go to the far shore twice,
nor having gone once do they fall away.
715
When a mendicant has no creeping,
and has cut the stream of craving,
and given up all the various duties,
no fever is found in them.
716
I shall school you in sagacity.
Practice as if you were licking a razor’s edge.
With tongue pressed to the roof of your mouth,
be restrained regarding your stomach.
717
Don’t be sluggish in mind,
nor think overly much.
Be free of putrefaction and unattached,
committed to the spiritual life.
718
Train in a lonely seat,
attending closely to ascetics;
solitude is sagacity, they say.
If you welcome solitude,
you’ll light up the ten directions.
719
Having heard the words of the wise,
the meditators who’ve given up sensual desires,
a follower of mine would develop
conscience and faith all the more.
720
Understand this by the way streams move
in clefts and crevices:
the little creeks flow on babbling,
while silent flow the great rivers.
721
What is lacking, babbles;
what is full is at peace.
The fool is like a half-full pot;
the wise like a brimfull lake.
722
When the Ascetic speaks much
it is relevant and meaningful:
knowing, he teaches the Dhamma;
knowing, he speaks much.
723
But one who, knowing, is restrained,
knowing, does not speak much;
that sage is worthy of sagacity,
that sage has achieved sagacity.”
Nālakasutta
679Ānandajāte tidasagaṇe patīte,
Sakkañca indaṁ sucivasane ca deve;
Dussaṁ gahetvā atiriva thomayante,
Asito isi addasa divāvihāre.
680
Disvāna deve muditamane udagge,
Cittiṁ karitvāna idamavoca tattha;
"Kiṁ devasaṅgho atiriva kalyarūpo,
Dussaṁ gahetvā ramayatha kiṁ paṭicca.
681
Yadāpi āsī asurehi saṅgamo,
Jayo surānaṁ asurā parājitā;
Tadāpi netādiso lomahaṁsano,
Kimabbhutaṁ daṭṭhu marū pamoditā.
682
Seḷenti gāyanti ca vādayanti ca,
Bhujāni phoṭenti ca naccayanti ca;
Pucchāmi vohaṁ merumuddhavāsine,
Dhunātha me saṁsayaṁ khippa mārisā".
683
"So bodhisatto ratanavaro atulyo,
Manussaloke hitasukhatthāya jāto;
Sakyāna gāme janapade lumbineyye,
Tenamha tuṭṭhā atiriva kalyarūpā.
684
So sabbasattuttamo aggapuggalo,
Narāsabho sabbapajānamuttamo;
Vattessati cakkamisivhaye vane,
Nadaṁva sīho balavā migābhibhū".
685
Taṁ saddaṁ sutvā turitamavasarī so,
Suddhodanassa tada bhavanaṁ upāvisi;
Nisajja tattha idamavocāsi sakye,
"Kuhiṁ kumāro ahamapi daṭṭhukāmo".
Tato kumāraṁ jalitamiva suvaṇṇaṁ
686
Ukkāmukheva sukusalasampahaṭṭhaṁ;
Daddallamānaṁ siriyā anomavaṇṇaṁ,
Dassesu puttaṁ asitavhayassa sakyā.
687
Disvā kumāraṁ sikhimiva pajjalantaṁ,
Tārāsabhaṁva nabhasigamaṁ visuddhaṁ;
Suriyaṁ tapantaṁ saradarivabbhamuttaṁ,
Ānandajāto vipulamalattha pītiṁ.
688
Anekasākhañca sahassamaṇḍalaṁ,
Chattaṁ marū dhārayumantalikkhe;
Suvaṇṇadaṇḍā vītipatanti cāmarā,
Na dissare cāmarachattagāhakā.
689
Disvā jaṭī kaṇhasirivhayo isi,
Suvaṇṇanikkhaṁ viya paṇḍukambale;
Setañca chattaṁ dhariyanta muddhani,
Udaggacitto sumano paṭiggahe.
690
Paṭiggahetvā pana sakyapuṅgavaṁ,
Jigīsako lakkhaṇamantapāragū;
Pasannacitto giramabbhudīrayi,
"Anuttarāyaṁ dvipadānamuttamo".
691
Athattano gamanamanussaranto,
Akalyarūpo gaḷayati assukāni;
Disvāna sakyā isimavocuṁ rudantaṁ,
"No ce kumāre bhavissati antarāyo".
692
Disvāna sakye isimavoca akalye,
" Nāhaṁ kumāre ahitamanussarāmi;
Na cāpimassa bhavissati antarāyo,
Na orakāyaṁ adhimānasā bhavātha.
693
Sambodhiyaggaṁ phusissatāyaṁ kumāro,
So dhammacakkaṁ paramavisuddhadassī;
Vattessatāyaṁ bahujanahitānukampī,
Vitthārikassa bhavissati brahmacariyaṁ.
694
Mamañca āyu na ciramidhāvaseso,
Athantarā me bhavissati kālakiriyā;
Sohaṁ na sossaṁ asamadhurassa dhammaṁ,
Tenamhi aṭṭo byasanaṅgato aghāvī".
695
So sākiyānaṁ vipulaṁ janetvā pītiṁ,
Antepuramhā niggamā brahmacārī;
So bhāgineyyaṁ sayaṁ anukampamāno,
Samādapesi asamadhurassa dhamme.
696
"Buddhoti ghosaṁ yada parato suṇāsi,
Sambodhipatto vivarati dhammamaggaṁ;
Gantvāna tattha samayaṁ paripucchamāno,
Carassu tasmiṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ".
697
Tenānusiṭṭho hitamanena tādinā,
Anāgate paramavisuddhadassinā;
So nālako upacitapuññasañcayo,
Jinaṁ patikkhaṁ parivasi rakkhitindriyo.
698
Sutvāna ghosaṁ jinavaracakkavattane,
Gantvāna disvā isinisabhaṁ pasanno;
Moneyyaseṭṭhaṁ munipavaraṁ apucchi,
Samāgate asitāvhayassa sāsaneti.
Vatthugāthā niṭṭhitā.
699
"Aññātametaṁ vacanaṁ,
Asitassa yathātathaṁ;
Taṁ taṁ gotama pucchāmi,
Sabbadhammāna pāraguṁ.
700
Anagāriyupetassa,
Bhikkhācariyaṁ jigīsato;
Muni pabrūhi me puṭṭho,
Moneyyaṁ uttamaṁ padaṁ".
(iti bhagavā):
701 "Moneyyaṁ te upaññissaṁ,
Dukkaraṁ durabhisambhavaṁ;
Handa te naṁ pavakkhāmi,
Santhambhassu daḷho bhava.
702
Samānabhāgaṁ kubbetha,
Gāme akkuṭṭhavanditaṁ;
Manopadosaṁ rakkheyya,
Santo anuṇṇato care.
703
Uccāvacā niccharanti,
Dāye aggisikhūpamā;
Nāriyo muniṁ palobhenti,
Tā su taṁ mā palobhayuṁ.
704
Virato methunā dhammā,
Hitvā kāme paropare;
Aviruddho asāratto,
Pāṇesu tasathāvare.
705
Yathā ahaṁ tathā ete,
Yathā ete tathā ahaṁ;
Attānaṁ upamaṁ katvā,
Na haneyya na ghātaye.
706
Hitvā icchañca lobhañca,
Yattha satto puthujjano;
Cakkhumā paṭipajjeyya,
Tareyya narakaṁ imaṁ.
707
Ūnūdaro mitāhāro,
Appicchassa alolupo;
Sadā icchāya nicchāto,
Aniccho hoti nibbuto.
708
Sa piṇḍacāraṁ caritvā,
Vanantamabhihāraye;
Upaṭṭhito rukkhamūlasmiṁ,
Āsanūpagato muni.
709
Sa jhānapasuto dhīro,
Vanante ramito siyā;
Jhāyetha rukkhamūlasmiṁ,
Attānamabhitosayaṁ.
710
Tato ratyā vivasāne,
Gāmantamabhihāraye;
Avhānaṁ nābhinandeyya,
Abhihārañca gāmato.
711
Na munī gāmamāgamma,
Kulesu sahasā care;
Ghāsesanaṁ chinnakatho,
Na vācaṁ payutaṁ bhaṇe.
712
Alatthaṁ yadidaṁ sādhu,
Nālatthaṁ kusalaṁ iti;
Ubhayeneva so tādī,
Rukkhaṁvupanivattati.
713
Sa pattapāṇi vicaranto,
Amūgo mūgasammato;
Appaṁ dānaṁ na hīḷeyya,
Dātāraṁ nāvajāniyā.
714
Uccāvacā hi paṭipadā,
Samaṇena pakāsitā;
Na pāraṁ diguṇaṁ yanti,
Nayidaṁ ekaguṇaṁ mutaṁ.
715
Yassa ca visatā natthi,
Chinnasotassa bhikkhuno;
Kiccākiccappahīnassa,
Pariḷāho na vijjati.
716
Moneyyaṁ te upaññissaṁ,
Khuradhārūpamo bhave;
Jivhāya tālumāhacca,
Udare saññato siyā.
717
Alīnacitto ca siyā,
Na cāpi bahu cintaye;
Nirāmagandho asito,
Brahmacariyaparāyaṇo.
718
Ekāsanassa sikkhetha,
Samaṇūpāsanassa ca;
Ekattaṁ monamakkhātaṁ,
Eko ce abhiramissasi;
Atha bhāhisi dasadisā.
719
Sutvā dhīrānaṁ nighosaṁ,
Jhāyīnaṁ kāmacāginaṁ;
Tato hiriñca saddhañca,
Bhiyyo kubbetha māmako.
720
Taṁ nadīhi vijānātha,
Sobbhesu padaresu ca;
Saṇantā yanti kusobbhā,
Tuṇhī yanti mahodadhī.
721
Yadūnakaṁ taṁ saṇati,
Yaṁ pūraṁ santameva taṁ;
Aḍḍhakumbhūpamo bālo,
Rahado pūrova paṇḍito.
722
Yaṁ samaṇo bahuṁ bhāsati,
Upetaṁ atthasañhitaṁ;
Jānaṁ so dhammaṁ deseti,
Jānaṁ so bahu bhāsati.
723
Yo ca jānaṁ saṁyatatto,
Jānaṁ na bahu bhāsati;
Sa munī monamarahati,
Sa munī monamajjhagā"ti.
Nālakasuttaṁ ekādasamaṁ.