| Tipiṭaka / Tipiṭaka (English) / Majjhima Nikāya, English translation |
मज्झिम निकाय ८३
Majjhima Nikāya 83
The Middle-Length Suttas Collection 83
मघदेवसुत्त
Maghadevasutta
About King Makhādeva
एवं मे सुतं—एकं समयं भगवा मिथिलायं विहरति मघदेवअम्बवने। अथ खो भगवा अञ्ञतरस्मिं पदेसे सितं पात्वाकासि।
Evaṁ me sutaṁ—ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā mithilāyaṁ viharati maghadevaambavane. Atha kho bhagavā aññatarasmiṁ padese sitaṁ pātvākāsi.
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Mithilā in the Makhādeva Mango Grove. Then the Buddha smiled at a certain spot.
अथ खो आयस्मतो आनन्दस्स एतदहोसि: “को नु खो हेतु, को पच्चयो भगवतो सितस्स पातुकम्माय? न अकारणेन तथागता सितं पातुकरोन्ती”ति।
Atha kho āyasmato ānandassa etadahosi: “ko nu kho hetu, ko paccayo bhagavato sitassa pātukammāya? Na akāraṇena tathāgatā sitaṁ pātukarontī”ti.
Then Venerable Ānanda thought, “What is the cause, what is the reason why the Buddha smiled? Realized Ones do not smile for no reason.”
अथ खो आयस्मा आनन्दो एकंसं चीवरं कत्वा येन भगवा तेनञ्जलिं पणामेत्वा भगवन्तं एतदवोच: “को नु खो, भन्ते, हेतु, को पच्चयो भगवतो सितस्स पातुकम्माय? न अकारणेन तथागता सितं पातुकरोन्ती”ति।
Atha kho āyasmā ānando ekaṁsaṁ cīvaraṁ katvā yena bhagavā tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “ko nu kho, bhante, hetu, ko paccayo bhagavato sitassa pātukammāya? Na akāraṇena tathāgatā sitaṁ pātukarontī”ti.
So Ānanda arranged his robe over one shoulder, raised his joined palms toward the Buddha, and said, “What is the cause, what is the reason why the Buddha smiled? Realized Ones do not smile for no reason.”
“भूतपुब्बं, आनन्द, इमिस्सायेव मिथिलायं राजा अहोसि मघदेवो नाम धम्मिको धम्मराजा धम्मे ठितो महाराजा; धम्मं चरति ब्राह्मणगहपतिकेसु नेगमेसु चेव जानपदेसु च; उपोसथञ्च उपवसति चातुद्दसिं पञ्चदसिं अट्ठमिञ्च पक्खस्स।
“Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, imissāyeva mithilāyaṁ rājā ahosi maghadevo nāma dhammiko dhammarājā dhamme ṭhito mahārājā; dhammaṁ carati brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca; uposathañca upavasati cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ aṭṭhamiñca pakkhassa.
“Once upon a time, Ānanda, right here in Mithilā there was a just and principled king named Makhādeva, a great king who stood by his duty. He justly treated brahmins and householders, and people of town and country. And he observed the Uposatha day on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth of the fortnight.
अथ खो, आनन्द, राजा मघदेवो बहूनं वस्सानं बहूनं वस्ससतानं बहूनं वस्ससहस्सानं अच्चयेन कप्पकं आमन्तेसि: ‘यदा मे, सम्म कप्पक, पस्सेय्यासि सिरस्मिं पलितानि जातानि, अथ मे आरोचेय्यासीऽति।
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā maghadevo bahūnaṁ vassānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena kappakaṁ āmantesi: ‘yadā me, samma kappaka, passeyyāsi sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni, atha me āroceyyāsī’ti.
Then, after many years, many hundred years, many thousand years had passed, King Makhādeva addressed his barber, ‘My dear barber, when you see grey hairs growing on my head, please tell me.’
‘एवं, देवाऽति खो, आनन्द, कप्पको रञ्ञो मघदेवस्स पच्चस्सोसि।
‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, kappako rañño maghadevassa paccassosi.
‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the barber.
अद्दसा खो, आनन्द, कप्पको बहूनं वस्सानं बहूनं वस्ससतानं बहूनं वस्ससहस्सानं अच्चयेन रञ्ञो मघदेवस्स सिरस्मिं पलितानि जातानि। दिस्वान राजानं मघदेवं एतदवोच: ‘पातुभूता खो देवस्स देवदूता, दिस्सन्ति सिरस्मिं पलितानि जातानीऽति।
Addasā kho, ānanda, kappako bahūnaṁ vassānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena rañño maghadevassa sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni. Disvāna rājānaṁ maghadevaṁ etadavoca: ‘pātubhūtā kho devassa devadūtā, dissanti sirasmiṁ palitāni jātānī’ti.
When many thousands of years had passed, the barber saw grey hairs growing on the king’s head. He said to the king, ‘The messengers of the gods have shown themselves to you. Grey hairs can be seen growing on your head.’
‘तेन हि, सम्म कप्पक, तानि पलितानि साधुकं सण्डासेन उद्धरित्वा मम अञ्जलिस्मिं पतिट्ठापेहीऽति।
‘Tena hi, samma kappaka, tāni palitāni sādhukaṁ saṇḍāsena uddharitvā mama añjalismiṁ patiṭṭhāpehī’ti.
‘Well then, my dear barber, carefully pull them out with tweezers and place them in my cupped hands.’
‘एवं, देवाऽति खो, आनन्द, कप्पको रञ्ञो मघदेवस्स पटिस्सुत्वा तानि पलितानि साधुकं सण्डासेन उद्धरित्वा रञ्ञो मघदेवस्स अञ्जलिस्मिं पतिट्ठापेसि।
‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, kappako rañño maghadevassa paṭissutvā tāni palitāni sādhukaṁ saṇḍāsena uddharitvā rañño maghadevassa añjalismiṁ patiṭṭhāpesi.
‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the barber, and he did as the king said.
अथ खो, आनन्द, राजा मघदेवो कप्पकस्स गामवरं दत्वा जेट्ठपुत्तं कुमारं आमन्तापेत्वा एतदवोच: ‘पातुभूता खो मे, तात कुमार, देवदूता; दिस्सन्ति सिरस्मिं पलितानि जातानि; भुत्ता खो पन मे मानुसका कामा; समयो दिब्बे कामे परियेसितुं। एहि त्वं, तात कुमार, इमं रज्जं पटिपज्ज। अहं पन केसमस्सुं ओहारेत्वा कासायानि वत्थानि अच्छादेत्वा अगारस्मा अनगारियं पब्बजिस्सामि।
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā maghadevo kappakassa gāmavaraṁ datvā jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ āmantāpetvā etadavoca: ‘pātubhūtā kho me, tāta kumāra, devadūtā; dissanti sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni; bhuttā kho pana me mānusakā kāmā; samayo dibbe kāme pariyesituṁ. Ehi tvaṁ, tāta kumāra, imaṁ rajjaṁ paṭipajja. Ahaṁ pana kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāmi.
The king gave the barber a prize village, then summoned the crown prince and said, ‘Dear prince, the messengers of the gods have shown themselves to me. Grey hairs can be seen growing on my head. I have enjoyed human pleasures. Now it is time to seek heavenly pleasures. Come, dear prince, rule the realm. I shall shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness.
तेन हि, तात कुमार, यदा त्वम्पि पस्सेय्यासि सिरस्मिं पलितानि जातानि, अथ कप्पकस्स गामवरं दत्वा जेट्ठपुत्तं कुमारं साधुकं रज्जे समनुसासित्वा केसमस्सुं ओहारेत्वा कासायानि वत्थानि अच्छादेत्वा अगारस्मा अनगारियं पब्बजेय्यासि। येन मे इदं कल्याणं वत्तं निहितं अनुप्पवत्तेय्यासि, मा खो मे त्वं अन्तिमपुरिसो अहोसि। यस्मिं खो, तात कुमार, पुरिसयुगे वत्तमाने एवरूपस्स कल्याणस्स वत्तस्स समुच्छेदो होति सो तेसं अन्तिमपुरिसो होति। तं ताहं, तात कुमार, एवं वदामि—येन मे इदं कल्याणं वत्तं निहितं अनुप्पवत्तेय्यासि, मा खो मे त्वं अन्तिमपुरिसो अहोसीऽति।
Tena hi, tāta kumāra, yadā tvampi passeyyāsi sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni, atha kappakassa gāmavaraṁ datvā jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ sādhukaṁ rajje samanusāsitvā kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyāsi. Yena me idaṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ anuppavatteyyāsi, mā kho me tvaṁ antimapuriso ahosi. Yasmiṁ kho, tāta kumāra, purisayuge vattamāne evarūpassa kalyāṇassa vattassa samucchedo hoti so tesaṁ antimapuriso hoti. Taṁ tāhaṁ, tāta kumāra, evaṁ vadāmi—yena me idaṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ anuppavatteyyāsi, mā kho me tvaṁ antimapuriso ahosī’ti.
For dear prince, you too will one day see grey hairs growing on your head. When this happens, after giving a prize village to the barber and carefully instructing the crown prince in kingship, you should shave off your hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness. Keep up this good practice that I have founded. Do not be my final man. Whatever generation is current when such good practice is broken, he is their final man. Therefore I say to you, “Keep up this good practice that I have founded. Do not be my final man.”’
अथ खो, आनन्द, राजा मघदेवो कप्पकस्स गामवरं दत्वा जेट्ठपुत्तं कुमारं साधुकं रज्जे समनुसासित्वा इमस्मिंयेव मघदेवअम्बवने केसमस्सुं ओहारेत्वा कासायानि वत्थानि अच्छादेत्वा अगारस्मा अनगारियं पब्बजि। सो मेत्तासहगतेन चेतसा एकं दिसं फरित्वा विहासि, तथा दुतियं, तथा ततियं, तथा चतुत्थं; इति उद्धमधो तिरियं सब्बधि सब्बत्तताय सब्बावन्तं लोकं मेत्तासहगतेन चेतसा विपुलेन महग्गतेन अप्पमाणेन अवेरेन अब्याबज्झेन फरित्वा विहासि। करुणासहगतेन चेतसा … मुदितासहगतेन चेतसा … उपेक्खासहगतेन चेतसा एकं दिसं फरित्वा विहासि, तथा दुतियं, तथा ततियं, तथा चतुत्थं; इति उद्धमधो तिरियं सब्बधि सब्बत्तताय सब्बावन्तं लोकं उपेक्खासहगतेन चेतसा विपुलेन महग्गतेन अप्पमाणेन अवेरेन अब्याबज्झेन फरित्वा विहासि।
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā maghadevo kappakassa gāmavaraṁ datvā jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ sādhukaṁ rajje samanusāsitvā imasmiṁyeva maghadevaambavane kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbaji. So 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 abyābajjhena1 pharitvā vihāsi. Karuṇāsahagatena cetasā … muditāsahagatena cetasā … 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 abyābajjhena pharitvā vihāsi.
And so, after giving a prize village to the barber and carefully instructing the crown prince in kingship, King Makhādeva shaved off his hair and beard, dressed in ocher robes, and went forth from the lay life to homelessness here in this mango grove. 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 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.
राजा खो पनानन्द, मघदेवो चतुरासीतिवस्ससहस्सानि कुमारकीळितं कीळि, चतुरासीतिवस्ससहस्सानि ओपरज्जं कारेसि, चतुरासीतिवस्ससहस्सानि रज्जं कारेसि, चतुरासीतिवस्ससहस्सानि इमस्मिंयेव मघदेवअम्बवने अगारस्मा अनगारियं पब्बजितो ब्रह्मचरियमचरि। सो चत्तारो ब्रह्मविहारे भावेत्वा कायस्स भेदा परं मरणा ब्रह्मलोकूपगो अहोसि।
Rājā kho panānanda, maghadevo caturāsītivassasahassāni kumārakīḷitaṁ kīḷi, caturāsītivassasahassāni oparajjaṁ kāresi, caturāsītivassasahassāni rajjaṁ kāresi, caturāsītivassasahassāni imasmiṁyeva maghadevaambavane agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito brahmacariyamacari. So cattāro brahmavihāre bhāvetvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmalokūpago ahosi.
For 84,000 years King Makhādeva played games as a child, for 84,000 years he acted as viceroy, for 84,000 years he ruled the realm, and for 84,000 years he led the spiritual life after going forth here in this mango grove. And having developed the four divine meditations, when his body broke up, after death, he was reborn in a good place, a divine realm of Brahmā.
अथ खो रञ्ञो, आनन्द, मघदेवस्स पुत्तो बहूनं वस्सानं बहूनं वस्ससतानं बहूनं वस्ससहस्सानं अच्चयेन कप्पकं आमन्तेसि: ‘यदा मे, सम्म कप्पक, पस्सेय्यासि सिरस्मिं पलितानि जातानि, अथ खो आरोचेय्यासीऽति। ‘एवं, देवाऽति खो, आनन्द, कप्पको रञ्ञो मघदेवस्स पुत्तस्स पच्चस्सोसि। अद्दसा खो, आनन्द, कप्पको बहूनं वस्सानं बहूनं वस्ससतानं बहूनं वस्ससहस्सानं अच्चयेन रञ्ञो मघदेवस्स पुत्तस्स सिरस्मिं पलितानि जातानि। दिस्वान रञ्ञो मघदेवस्स पुत्तं एतदवोच: ‘पातुभूता खो देवस्स देवदूता; दिस्सन्ति सिरस्मिं पलितानि जातानीऽति। ‘तेन हि, सम्म कप्पक, तानि पलितानि साधुकं सण्डासेन उद्धरित्वा मम अञ्जलिस्मिं पतिट्ठापेहीऽति। ‘एवं, देवाऽति खो, आनन्द, कप्पको रञ्ञो मघदेवस्स पुत्तस्स पटिस्सुत्वा तानि पलितानि साधुकं सण्डासेन उद्धरित्वा रञ्ञो मघदेवस्स पुत्तस्स अञ्जलिस्मिं पतिट्ठापेसि। अथ खो, आनन्द, रञ्ञो मघदेवस्स पुत्तो कप्पकस्स गामवरं दत्वा जेट्ठपुत्तं कुमारं आमन्तापेत्वा एतदवोच: ‘पातुभूता खो मे, तात कुमार, देवदूता; दिस्सन्ति सिरस्मिं पलितानि जातानि; भुत्ता खो पन मे मानुसका कामा; समयो दिब्बे कामे परियेसितुं। एहि त्वं, तात कुमार, इमं रज्जं पटिपज्ज। अहं पन केसमस्सुं ओहारेत्वा कासायानि वत्थानि अच्छादेत्वा अगारस्मा अनगारियं पब्बजिस्सामि। तेन हि, तात कुमार, यदा त्वम्पि पस्सेय्यासि सिरस्मिं पलितानि जातानि, अथ कप्पकस्स गामवरं दत्वा जेट्ठपुत्तं कुमारं साधुकं रज्जे समनुसासित्वा केसमस्सुं ओहारेत्वा कासायानि वत्थानि अच्छादेत्वा अगारस्मा अनगारियं पब्बजेय्यासि। येन मे इदं कल्याणं वत्तं निहितं अनुप्पवत्तेय्यासि, मा खो मे त्वं अन्तिमपुरिसो अहोसि। यस्मिं खो, तात कुमार, पुरिसयुगे वत्तमाने एवरूपस्स कल्याणस्स वत्तस्स समुच्छेदो होति सो तेसं अन्तिमपुरिसो होति। तं ताहं, तात कुमार, एवं वदामि—येन मे इदं कल्याणं वत्तं निहितं अनुप्पवत्तेय्यासि, मा खो मे त्वं अन्तिमपुरिसो अहोसीऽति। अथ खो, आनन्द, रञ्ञो मघदेवस्स पुत्तो कप्पकस्स गामवरं दत्वा जेट्ठपुत्तं कुमारं साधुकं रज्जे समनुसासित्वा इमस्मिंयेव मघदेवअम्बवने केसमस्सुं ओहारेत्वा कासायानि वत्थानि अच्छादेत्वा अगारस्मा अनगारियं पब्बजि। सो मेत्तासहगतेन चेतसा एकं दिसं फरित्वा विहासि, तथा दुतियं, तथा ततियं, तथा चतुत्थं; इति उद्धमधो तिरियं सब्बधि सब्बत्तताय सब्बावन्तं लोकं मेत्तासहगतेन चेतसा विपुलेन महग्गतेन अप्पमाणेन अवेरेन अब्याबज्झेन फरित्वा विहासि। करुणासहगतेन चेतसा … मुदितासहगतेन चेतसा … उपेक्खासहगतेन चेतसा एकं दिसं फरित्वा विहासि, तथा दुतियं, तथा ततियं, तथा चतुत्थं; इति उद्धमधो तिरियं सब्बधि सब्बत्तताय सब्बावन्तं लोकं उपेक्खासहगतेन चेतसा विपुलेन महग्गतेन अप्पमाणेन अवेरेन अब्याबज्झेन फरित्वा विहासि। रञ्ञो खो पनानन्द, मघदेवस्स पुत्तो चतुरासीतिवस्ससहस्सानि कुमारकीळितं कीळि, चतुरासीतिवस्ससहस्सानि ओपरज्जं कारेसि, चतुरासीतिवस्ससहस्सानि रज्जं कारेसि, चतुरासीतिवस्ससहस्सानि इमस्मिंयेव मघदेवअम्बवने अगारस्मा अनगारियं पब्बजितो ब्रह्मचरियमचरि। सो चत्तारो ब्रह्मविहारे भावेत्वा कायस्स भेदा परं मरणा ब्रह्मलोकूपगो अहोसि।
Atha kho rañño, ānanda, maghadevassa putto bahūnaṁ vassānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena kappakaṁ āmantesi: ‘yadā me, samma kappaka, passeyyāsi sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni, atha kho āroceyyāsī’ti. ‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, kappako rañño maghadevassa puttassa paccassosi. Addasā kho, ānanda, kappako bahūnaṁ vassānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena rañño maghadevassa puttassa sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni. Disvāna rañño maghadevassa puttaṁ etadavoca: ‘pātubhūtā kho devassa devadūtā; dissanti sirasmiṁ palitāni jātānī’ti. ‘Tena hi, samma kappaka, tāni palitāni sādhukaṁ saṇḍāsena uddharitvā mama añjalismiṁ patiṭṭhāpehī’ti. ‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, kappako rañño maghadevassa puttassa paṭissutvā tāni palitāni sādhukaṁ saṇḍāsena uddharitvā rañño maghadevassa puttassa añjalismiṁ patiṭṭhāpesi. Atha kho, ānanda, rañño maghadevassa putto kappakassa gāmavaraṁ datvā jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ āmantāpetvā etadavoca: ‘pātubhūtā kho me, tāta kumāra, devadūtā; dissanti sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni; bhuttā kho pana me mānusakā kāmā; samayo dibbe kāme pariyesituṁ. Ehi tvaṁ, tāta kumāra, imaṁ rajjaṁ paṭipajja. Ahaṁ pana kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāmi. Tena hi, tāta kumāra, yadā tvampi passeyyāsi sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni, atha kappakassa gāmavaraṁ datvā jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ sādhukaṁ rajje samanusāsitvā kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyāsi. Yena me idaṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ anuppavatteyyāsi, mā kho me tvaṁ antimapuriso ahosi. Yasmiṁ kho, tāta kumāra, purisayuge vattamāne evarūpassa kalyāṇassa vattassa samucchedo hoti so tesaṁ antimapuriso hoti. Taṁ tāhaṁ, tāta kumāra, evaṁ vadāmi—yena me idaṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ anuppavatteyyāsi, mā kho me tvaṁ antimapuriso ahosī’ti. Atha kho, ānanda, rañño maghadevassa putto kappakassa gāmavaraṁ datvā jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ sādhukaṁ rajje samanusāsitvā imasmiṁyeva maghadevaambavane kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbaji. So 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 abyābajjhena pharitvā vihāsi. Karuṇāsahagatena cetasā … muditāsahagatena cetasā … 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 abyābajjhena pharitvā vihāsi. Rañño kho panānanda, maghadevassa putto caturāsītivassasahassāni kumārakīḷitaṁ kīḷi, caturāsītivassasahassāni oparajjaṁ kāresi, caturāsītivassasahassāni rajjaṁ kāresi, caturāsītivassasahassāni imasmiṁyeva maghadevaambavane agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito brahmacariyamacari. So cattāro brahmavihāre bhāvetvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmalokūpago ahosi.
Then, after many years, many hundred years, many thousand years had passed, King Makhādeva’s son addressed his barber, ‘My dear barber, when you see grey hairs growing on my head, please tell me.’ And all unfolded as in the case of his father. And having developed the four divine meditations, when his body broke up, after death, Makhādeva’s son was reborn in a good place, a divine realm of Brahmā.
रञ्ञो खो पनानन्द, मघदेवस्स पुत्तपपुत्तका तस्स परम्परा चतुरासीतिराजसहस्सानि इमस्मिंयेव मघदेवअम्बवने केसमस्सुं ओहारेत्वा कासायानि वत्थानि अच्छादेत्वा अगारस्मा अनगारियं पब्बजिंसु। ते मेत्तासहगतेन चेतसा एकं दिसं फरित्वा विहरिंसु, तथा दुतियं, तथा ततियं, तथा चतुत्थं; इति उद्धमधो तिरियं सब्बधि सब्बत्तताय सब्बावन्तं लोकं मेत्तासहगतेन चेतसा विपुलेन महग्गतेन अप्पमाणेन अवेरेन अब्याबज्झेन फरित्वा विहरिंसु। करुणासहगतेन चेतसा … मुदितासहगतेन चेतसा … उपेक्खासहगतेन चेतसा एकं दिसं फरित्वा विहरिंसु, तथा दुतियं, तथा ततियं, तथा चतुत्थं; इति उद्धमधो तिरियं सब्बधि सब्बत्तताय सब्बावन्तं लोकं उपेक्खासहगतेन चेतसा विपुलेन महग्गतेन अप्पमाणेन अवेरेन अब्याबज्झेन फरित्वा विहरिंसु। चतुरासीतिवस्ससहस्सानि कुमारकीळितं कीळिंसु, चतुरासीतिवस्ससहस्सानि ओपरज्जं कारेसुं, चतुरासीतिवस्ससहस्सानि रज्जं कारेसुं, चतुरासीतिवस्ससहस्सानि इमस्मिंयेव मघदेवअम्बवने अगारस्मा अनगारियं पब्बजिता ब्रह्मचरियमचरिंसु। ते चत्तारो ब्रह्मविहारे भावेत्वा कायस्स भेदा परं मरणा ब्रह्मलोकूपगा अहेसुं।
Rañño kho panānanda, maghadevassa puttapaputtakā tassa paramparā caturāsītirājasahassāni imasmiṁyeva maghadevaambavane kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajiṁsu. Te mettāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā vihariṁsu, tathā dutiyaṁ, tathā tatiyaṁ, tathā catutthaṁ; iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā vihariṁsu. Karuṇāsahagatena cetasā … muditāsahagatena cetasā … upekkhāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā vihariṁsu, tathā dutiyaṁ, tathā tatiyaṁ, tathā catutthaṁ; iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ upekkhāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā vihariṁsu. Caturāsītivassasahassāni kumārakīḷitaṁ kīḷiṁsu, caturāsītivassasahassāni oparajjaṁ kāresuṁ, caturāsītivassasahassāni rajjaṁ kāresuṁ, caturāsītivassasahassāni imasmiṁyeva maghadevaambavane agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā brahmacariyamacariṁsu. Te cattāro brahmavihāre bhāvetvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmalokūpagā ahesuṁ.
And a lineage of 84,000 kings, sons of sons of King Makhādeva, shaved off their hair and beard, dressed in ocher robes, and went forth from the lay life to homelessness here in this mango grove. They meditated spreading a heart full of love … 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, they spread a heart full of equanimity to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will. For 84,000 years they played games as a child, for 84,000 years they acted as viceroy, for 84,000 years they ruled the realm, and for 84,000 years they led the spiritual life after going forth here in this mango grove. And having developed the four divine meditations, when their bodies broke up, after death, they were reborn in a good place, a divine realm of Brahmā.
निमि तेसं राजा पच्छिमको अहोसि धम्मिको धम्मराजा धम्मे ठितो महाराजा; धम्मं चरति ब्राह्मणगहपतिकेसु नेगमेसु चेव जानपदेसु च; उपोसथञ्च उपवसति चातुद्दसिं पञ्चदसिं अट्ठमिञ्च पक्खस्स।
Nimi tesaṁ rājā2 pacchimako ahosi dhammiko dhammarājā dhamme ṭhito mahārājā; dhammaṁ carati brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca; uposathañca upavasati cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ aṭṭhamiñca pakkhassa.
Nimi was the last of those kings, a just and principled king, a great king who stood by his duty. He justly treated brahmins and householders, and people of town and country. And he observed the Uposatha day on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth of the fortnight.
भूतपुब्बं, आनन्द, देवानं तावतिंसानं सुधम्मायं सभायं सन्निसिन्नानं सन्निपतितानं अयमन्तराकथा उदपादि: ‘लाभा वत, भो, विदेहानं, सुलद्धं वत, भो, विदेहानं, येसं निमि राजा धम्मिको धम्मराजा धम्मे ठितो महाराजा; धम्मं चरति ब्राह्मणगहपतिकेसु नेगमेसु चेव जानपदेसु च; उपोसथञ्च उपवसति चातुद्दसिं पञ्चदसिं अट्ठमिञ्च पक्खस्साऽति।
Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ sudhammāyaṁ sabhāyaṁ sannisinnānaṁ sannipatitānaṁ ayamantarākathā udapādi: ‘lābhā vata, bho, videhānaṁ, suladdhaṁ vata, bho, videhānaṁ, yesaṁ nimi rājā dhammiko dhammarājā dhamme ṭhito mahārājā; dhammaṁ carati brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca; uposathañca upavasati cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ aṭṭhamiñca pakkhassā’ti.
Once upon a time, Ānanda, while the gods of the Thirty-Three were sitting together in the Hall of Justice, this discussion came up among them: ‘The people of Videha are so fortunate, so very fortunate to have Nimi as their king. He is a just and principled king, a great king who stands by his duty. He justly treats brahmins and householders, and people of town and country. And he observes the Uposatha day on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth of the fortnight.’
अथ खो, आनन्द, सक्को देवानमिन्दो देवे तावतिंसे आमन्तेसि: ‘इच्छेय्याथ नो तुम्हे, मारिसा, निमिं राजानं दट्ठुन्ऽति?
Atha kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo deve tāvatiṁse āmantesi: ‘iccheyyātha no tumhe, mārisā, nimiṁ rājānaṁ daṭṭhun’ti?
Then Sakka, lord of gods, addressed the gods of the Thirty-Three, ‘Good sirs, would you like to see King Nimi?’
‘इच्छाम मयं, मारिस, निमिं राजानं दट्ठुन्ऽति।
‘Icchāma mayaṁ, mārisa, nimiṁ rājānaṁ daṭṭhun’ti.
‘We would.’
तेन खो पन, आनन्द, समयेन निमि राजा तदहुपोसथे पन्नरसे सीसंन्हातो उपोसथिको उपरिपासादवरगतो निसिन्नो होति। अथ खो, आनन्द, सक्को देवानमिन्दो—सेय्यथापि नाम बलवा पुरिसो समिञ्जितं वा बाहं पसारेय्य, पसारितं वा बाहं समिञ्जेय्य; एवमेव—देवेसु तावतिंसेसु अन्तरहितो निमिस्स रञ्ञो पमुखे पातुरहोसि। अथ खो, आनन्द, सक्को देवानमिन्दो निमिं राजानं एतदवोच: ‘लाभा ते, महाराज, सुलद्धं ते, महाराज। देवा, महाराज, तावतिंसा सुधम्मायं सभायं कित्तयमानरूपा सन्निसिन्ना: “लाभा वत, भो, विदेहानं, सुलद्धं वत, भो, विदेहानं, येसं निमि राजा धम्मिको धम्मराजा धम्मे ठितो महाराजा; धम्मं चरति ब्राह्मणगहपतिकेसु नेगमेसु चेव जानपदेसु च; उपोसथञ्च उपवसति चातुद्दसिं पञ्चदसिं अट्ठमिञ्च पक्खस्सा”ति। देवा ते, महाराज, तावतिंसा दस्सनकामा। तस्स ते अहं, महाराज, सहस्सयुत्तं आजञ्ञरथं पहिणिस्सामि; अभिरुहेय्यासि, महाराज, दिब्बं यानं अविकम्पमानोऽति। अधिवासेसि खो, आनन्द, निमि राजा तुण्हीभावेन।
Tena kho pana, ānanda, samayena nimi rājā tadahuposathe pannarase sīsaṁnhāto3 uposathiko uparipāsādavaragato nisinno hoti. Atha kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—devesu tāvatiṁsesu antarahito nimissa rañño pamukhe pāturahosi. Atha kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo nimiṁ rājānaṁ etadavoca: ‘lābhā te, mahārāja, suladdhaṁ te, mahārāja. Devā, mahārāja, tāvatiṁsā sudhammāyaṁ sabhāyaṁ kittayamānarūpā sannisinnā: “lābhā vata, bho, videhānaṁ, suladdhaṁ vata, bho, videhānaṁ, yesaṁ nimi rājā dhammiko dhammarājā dhamme ṭhito mahārājā; dhammaṁ carati brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca; uposathañca upavasati cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ aṭṭhamiñca pakkhassā”ti. Devā te, mahārāja, tāvatiṁsā dassanakāmā. Tassa te ahaṁ, mahārāja, sahassayuttaṁ ājaññarathaṁ pahiṇissāmi; abhiruheyyāsi, mahārāja, dibbaṁ yānaṁ avikampamāno’ti. Adhivāsesi kho, ānanda, nimi rājā tuṇhībhāvena.
Now at that time it was the Uposatha day of the fifteenth, and King Nimi had bathed his head and was sitting upstairs in the royal longhouse to observe the Uposatha day. Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, Sakka vanished from the Thirty-Three gods and reappeared in front of King Nimi. He said to the king, ‘You’re fortunate, great king, so very fortunate. The gods of the Thirty-Three were sitting together in the Hall of Justice, where they spoke very highly of you. They would like to see you. I shall send a chariot harnessed with a thousand thoroughbreds for you, great king. Mount the heavenly chariot, great king! Do not waver.’ King Nimi consented with silence.
अथ खो, आनन्द, सक्को देवानमिन्दो निमिस्स रञ्ञो अधिवासनं विदित्वा—सेय्यथापि नाम बलवा पुरिसो समिञ्जितं वा बाहं पसारेय्य, पसारितं वा बाहं समिञ्जेय्य; एवमेव—निमिस्स रञ्ञो पमुखे अन्तरहितो देवेसु तावतिंसेसु पातुरहोसि।
Atha kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo nimissa rañño adhivāsanaṁ viditvā—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—nimissa rañño pamukhe antarahito devesu tāvatiṁsesu pāturahosi.
Then, knowing that the king had consented, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, Sakka vanished from King Nimi and reappeared among the Thirty-Three gods.
अथ खो, आनन्द, सक्को देवानमिन्दो मातलिं सङ्गाहकं आमन्तेसि: ‘एहि त्वं, सम्म मातलि, सहस्सयुत्तं आजञ्ञरथं योजेत्वा निमिं राजानं उपसङ्कमित्वा एवं वदेहि—अयं ते, महाराज, सहस्सयुत्तो आजञ्ञरथो सक्केन देवानमिन्देन पेसितो; अभिरुहेय्यासि, महाराज, दिब्बं यानं अविकम्पमानोऽति।
Atha kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo mātaliṁ saṅgāhakaṁ āmantesi: ‘ehi tvaṁ, samma mātali, sahassayuttaṁ ājaññarathaṁ yojetvā nimiṁ rājānaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evaṁ vadehi—ayaṁ te, mahārāja, sahassayutto ājaññaratho sakkena devānamindena pesito; abhiruheyyāsi, mahārāja, dibbaṁ yānaṁ avikampamāno’ti.
Then Sakka, lord of gods, addressed his charioteer Mātali, ‘Come, dear Mātali, harness the chariot with a thousand thoroughbreds. Then go to King Nimi and say, “Great king, this chariot has been sent for you by Sakka, lord of gods. Mount the heavenly chariot, great king! Do not waver.”’
‘एवं, भद्दन्तवाऽति खो, आनन्द, मातलि सङ्गाहको सक्कस्स देवानमिन्दस्स पटिस्सुत्वा सहस्सयुत्तं आजञ्ञरथं योजेत्वा निमिं राजानं उपसङ्कमित्वा एतदवोच: ‘अयं ते, महाराज, सहस्सयुत्तो आजञ्ञरथो सक्केन देवानमिन्देन पेसितो; अभिरुह, महाराज, दिब्बं यानं अविकम्पमानो। अपि च, महाराज, कतमेन तं नेमि, येन वा पापकम्मा पापकानं कम्मानं विपाकं पटिसंवेदेन्ति, येन वा कल्याणकम्मा कल्याणकम्मानं विपाकं पटिसंवेदेन्तीऽति?
‘Evaṁ, bhaddantavā’ti kho, ānanda, mātali saṅgāhako sakkassa devānamindassa paṭissutvā sahassayuttaṁ ājaññarathaṁ yojetvā nimiṁ rājānaṁ upasaṅkamitvā etadavoca: ‘ayaṁ te, mahārāja, sahassayutto ājaññaratho sakkena devānamindena pesito; abhiruha, mahārāja, dibbaṁ yānaṁ avikampamāno. Api ca, mahārāja, katamena taṁ nemi, yena vā pāpakammā pāpakānaṁ kammānaṁ vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedenti, yena vā kalyāṇakammā kalyāṇakammānaṁ vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedentī’ti?
‘Yes, lord,’ replied Mātali. He did as Sakka asked, and said to the king, ‘Great king, this chariot has been sent for you by Sakka, lord of gods. Mount the heavenly chariot, great king! Do not waver. But which way should we go—the way of those who experience the result of bad deeds, or the way of those who experience the result of good deeds?’
‘उभयेनेव मं, मातलि, नेहीऽति।
‘Ubhayeneva maṁ, mātali, nehī’ti.
‘Take me both ways, Mātali.’
सम्पवेसेसि खो, आनन्द, मातलि, सङ्गाहको निमिं राजानं सुधम्मं सभं। अद्दसा खो, आनन्द, सक्को देवानमिन्दो निमिं राजानं दूरतोव आगच्छन्तं। दिस्वान निमिं राजानं एतदवोच: ‘एहि खो, महाराज। स्वागतं, महाराज। देवा ते दस्सनकामा, महाराज, तावतिंसा सुधम्मायं सभायं कित्तयमानरूपा सन्निसिन्ना: “लाभा वत, भो, विदेहानं, सुलद्धं वत, भो, विदेहानं, येसं निमि राजा धम्मिको धम्मराजा धम्मे ठितो महाराजा; धम्मं चरति ब्राह्मणगहपतिकेसु नेगमेसु चेव जानपदेसु च; उपोसथञ्च उपवसति चातुद्दसिं पञ्चदसिं अट्ठमिञ्च पक्खस्सा”ति। देवा ते, महाराज, तावतिंसा दस्सनकामा। अभिरम, महाराज, देवेसु देवानुभावेनाऽति।
Sampavesesi4 kho, ānanda, mātali, saṅgāhako nimiṁ rājānaṁ sudhammaṁ sabhaṁ. Addasā kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo nimiṁ rājānaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ. Disvāna nimiṁ rājānaṁ etadavoca: ‘ehi kho, mahārāja. Svāgataṁ, mahārāja. Devā te dassanakāmā, mahārāja, tāvatiṁsā sudhammāyaṁ sabhāyaṁ kittayamānarūpā sannisinnā: “lābhā vata, bho, videhānaṁ, suladdhaṁ vata, bho, videhānaṁ, yesaṁ nimi rājā dhammiko dhammarājā dhamme ṭhito mahārājā; dhammaṁ carati brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca; uposathañca upavasati cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ aṭṭhamiñca pakkhassā”ti. Devā te, mahārāja, tāvatiṁsā dassanakāmā. Abhirama, mahārāja, devesu devānubhāvenā’ti.
Mātali brought King Nimi to the Hall of Justice. Sakka saw King Nimi coming off in the distance, and said to him: ‘Come, great king! Welcome, great king! The gods of the Thirty-Three who wanted to see you were sitting together in the Hall of Justice, where they spoke very highly of you. The gods of the Thirty-Three would like to see you. Enjoy divine glory among the gods!’
‘अलं, मारिस, तत्थेव मं मिथिलं पटिनेतु। तथाहं धम्मं चरिस्सामि ब्राह्मणगहपतिकेसु नेगमेसु चेव जानपदेसु च; उपोसथञ्च उपवसामि चातुद्दसिं पञ्चदसिं अट्ठमिञ्च पक्खस्साऽति।
‘Alaṁ, mārisa, tattheva maṁ mithilaṁ paṭinetu. Tathāhaṁ dhammaṁ carissāmi brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca; uposathañca upavasāmi cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ aṭṭhamiñca pakkhassā’ti.
‘Enough, good sir. Send me back to Mithilā right away. That way I shall justly treat brahmins and householders, and people of town and country. And I shall observe the Uposatha day on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth of the fortnight.’
अथ खो, आनन्द, सक्को देवानमिन्दो मातलिं सङ्गाहकं आमन्तेसि: ‘एहि त्वं, सम्म मातलि, सहस्सयुत्तं आजञ्ञरथं योजेत्वा निमिं राजानं तत्थेव मिथिलं पटिनेहीऽति।
Atha kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo mātaliṁ saṅgāhakaṁ āmantesi: ‘ehi tvaṁ, samma mātali, sahassayuttaṁ ājaññarathaṁ yojetvā nimiṁ rājānaṁ tattheva mithilaṁ paṭinehī’ti.
Then Sakka, lord of gods, addressed his charioteer Mātali, ‘Come, dear Mātali, harness the chariot with a thousand thoroughbreds and send King Nimi back to Mithilā right away.’
‘एवं, भद्दन्तवाऽति खो, आनन्द, मातलि सङ्गाहको सक्कस्स देवानमिन्दस्स पटिस्सुत्वा सहस्सयुत्तं आजञ्ञरथं योजेत्वा निमिं राजानं तत्थेव मिथिलं पटिनेसि। तत्र सुदं, आनन्द, निमि राजा धम्मं चरति ब्राह्मणगहपतिकेसु नेगमेसु चेव जानपदेसु च, उपोसथञ्च उपवसति चातुद्दसिं पञ्चदसिं अट्ठमिञ्च पक्खस्साति।
‘Evaṁ, bhaddantavā’ti kho, ānanda, mātali saṅgāhako sakkassa devānamindassa paṭissutvā sahassayuttaṁ ājaññarathaṁ yojetvā nimiṁ rājānaṁ tattheva mithilaṁ paṭinesi. Tatra sudaṁ, ānanda, nimi rājā dhammaṁ carati brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca, uposathañca upavasati cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ aṭṭhamiñca pakkhassāti.
‘Yes, lord,’ replied Mātali, and did as Sakka asked. And there King Nimi justly treated his people, and observed the Uposatha day.
अथ खो, आनन्द, निमि राजा बहूनं वस्सानं बहूनं वस्ससतानं बहूनं वस्ससहस्सानं अच्चयेन कप्पकं आमन्तेसि: ‘यदा मे, सम्म कप्पक, पस्सेय्यासि सिरस्मिं पलितानि जातानि, अथ मे आरोचेय्यासीऽति। ‘एवं, देवाऽति खो, आनन्द, कप्पको निमिस्स रञ्ञो पच्चस्सोसि। अद्दसा खो, आनन्द, कप्पको बहूनं वस्सानं बहूनं वस्ससतानं बहूनं वस्ससहस्सानं अच्चयेन निमिस्स रञ्ञो सिरस्मिं पलितानि जातानि। दिस्वान निमिं राजानं एतदवोच: ‘पातुभूता खो देवस्स देवदूता; दिस्सन्ति सिरस्मिं पलितानि जातानीऽति। ‘तेन हि, सम्म कप्पक, तानि पलितानि साधुकं सण्डासेन उद्धरित्वा मम अञ्जलिस्मिं पतिट्ठापेहीऽति। ‘एवं, देवाऽति खो, आनन्द, कप्पको निमिस्स रञ्ञो पटिस्सुत्वा तानि पलितानि साधुकं सण्डासेन उद्धरित्वा निमिस्स रञ्ञो अञ्जलिस्मिं पतिट्ठापेसि। अथ खो, आनन्द, निमि राजा कप्पकस्स गामवरं दत्वा जेट्ठपुत्तं कुमारं आमन्तापेत्वा एतदवोच: ‘पातुभूता खो मे, तात कुमार, देवदूता; दिस्सन्ति सिरस्मिं पलितानि जातानि; भुत्ता खो पन मे मानुसका कामा; समयो दिब्बे कामे परियेसितुं। एहि त्वं, तात कुमार, इमं रज्जं पटिपज्ज। अहं पन केसमस्सुं ओहारेत्वा कासायानि वत्थानि अच्छादेत्वा अगारस्मा अनगारियं पब्बजिस्सामि। तेन हि, तात कुमार, यदा त्वम्पि पस्सेय्यासि सिरस्मिं पलितानि जातानि, अथ कप्पकस्स गामवरं दत्वा जेट्ठपुत्तं कुमारं साधुकं रज्जे समनुसासित्वा केसमस्सुं ओहारेत्वा कासायानि वत्थानि अच्छादेत्वा अगारस्मा अनगारियं पब्बजेय्यासि। येन मे इदं कल्याणं वत्तं निहितं अनुप्पवत्तेय्यासि, मा खो मे त्वं अन्तिमपुरिसो अहोसि। यस्मिं खो, तात कुमार, पुरिसयुगे वत्तमाने एवरूपस्स कल्याणस्स वत्तस्स समुच्छेदो होति सो तेसं अन्तिमपुरिसो होति। तं ताहं, तात कुमार, एवं वदामि: “येन मे इदं कल्याणं वत्तं निहितं अनुप्पवत्तेय्यासि, मा खो मे त्वं अन्तिमपुरिसो अहोसी”ऽति।
Atha kho, ānanda, nimi rājā bahūnaṁ vassānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena kappakaṁ āmantesi: ‘yadā me, samma kappaka, passeyyāsi sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni, atha me āroceyyāsī’ti. ‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, kappako nimissa rañño paccassosi. Addasā kho, ānanda, kappako bahūnaṁ vassānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena nimissa rañño sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni. Disvāna nimiṁ rājānaṁ etadavoca: ‘pātubhūtā kho devassa devadūtā; dissanti sirasmiṁ palitāni jātānī’ti. ‘Tena hi, samma kappaka, tāni palitāni sādhukaṁ saṇḍāsena uddharitvā mama añjalismiṁ patiṭṭhāpehī’ti. ‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, kappako nimissa rañño paṭissutvā tāni palitāni sādhukaṁ saṇḍāsena uddharitvā nimissa rañño añjalismiṁ patiṭṭhāpesi. Atha kho, ānanda, nimi rājā kappakassa gāmavaraṁ datvā jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ āmantāpetvā etadavoca: ‘pātubhūtā kho me, tāta kumāra, devadūtā; dissanti sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni; bhuttā kho pana me mānusakā kāmā; samayo dibbe kāme pariyesituṁ. Ehi tvaṁ, tāta kumāra, imaṁ rajjaṁ paṭipajja. Ahaṁ pana kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāmi. Tena hi, tāta kumāra, yadā tvampi passeyyāsi sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni, atha kappakassa gāmavaraṁ datvā jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ sādhukaṁ rajje samanusāsitvā kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyāsi. Yena me idaṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ anuppavatteyyāsi, mā kho me tvaṁ antimapuriso ahosi. Yasmiṁ kho, tāta kumāra, purisayuge vattamāne evarūpassa kalyāṇassa vattassa samucchedo hoti so tesaṁ antimapuriso hoti. Taṁ tāhaṁ, tāta kumāra, evaṁ vadāmi: “yena me idaṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ anuppavatteyyāsi, mā kho me tvaṁ antimapuriso ahosī”’ti.
Then, after many years, many hundred years, many thousand years had passed, King Nimi addressed his barber, ‘My dear barber, when you see grey hairs growing on my head, please tell me.’ And all unfolded as before.
अथ खो, आनन्द, निमि राजा कप्पकस्स गामवरं दत्वा जेट्ठपुत्तं कुमारं साधुकं रज्जे समनुसासित्वा इमस्मिंयेव मघदेवअम्बवने केसमस्सुं ओहारेत्वा कासायानि वत्थानि अच्छादेत्वा अगारस्मा अनगारियं पब्बजि। सो मेत्तासहगतेन चेतसा एकं दिसं फरित्वा विहासि, तथा दुतियं, तथा ततियं, तथा चतुत्थं; इति उद्धमधो तिरियं सब्बधि सब्बत्तताय सब्बावन्तं लोकं मेत्तासहगतेन चेतसा विपुलेन महग्गतेन अप्पमाणेन अवेरेन अब्याबज्झेन फरित्वा विहासि। करुणासहगतेन चेतसा … मुदितासहगतेन चेतसा … उपेक्खासहगतेन चेतसा एकं दिसं फरित्वा विहासि, तथा दुतियं, तथा ततियं, तथा चतुत्थं; इति उद्धमधो तिरियं सब्बधि सब्बत्तताय सब्बावन्तं लोकं उपेक्खासहगतेन चेतसा विपुलेन महग्गतेन अप्पमाणेन अवेरेन अब्याबज्झेन फरित्वा विहासि। निमि खो पनानन्द, राजा चतुरासीतिवस्ससहस्सानि कुमारकीळितं कीळि, चतुरासीतिवस्ससहस्सानि ओपरज्जं कारेसि, चतुरासीतिवस्ससहस्सानि रज्जं कारेसि, चतुरासीतिवस्ससहस्सानि इमस्मिंयेव मघदेवअम्बवने अगारस्मा अनगारियं पब्बजितो ब्रह्मचरियमचरि। सो चत्तारो ब्रह्मविहारे भावेत्वा कायस्स भेदा परं मरणा ब्रह्मलोकूपगो अहोसि।
Atha kho, ānanda, nimi rājā kappakassa gāmavaraṁ datvā jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ sādhukaṁ rajje samanusāsitvā imasmiṁyeva maghadevaambavane kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbaji. So 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 abyābajjhena pharitvā vihāsi. Karuṇāsahagatena cetasā … muditāsahagatena cetasā … 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 abyābajjhena pharitvā vihāsi. Nimi kho panānanda, rājā caturāsītivassasahassāni kumārakīḷitaṁ kīḷi, caturāsītivassasahassāni oparajjaṁ kāresi, caturāsītivassasahassāni rajjaṁ kāresi, caturāsītivassasahassāni imasmiṁyeva maghadevaambavane agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito brahmacariyamacari. So cattāro brahmavihāre bhāvetvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmalokūpago ahosi.
And having developed the four divine meditations, when his body broke up, after death, King Nimi was reborn in a good place, a divine realm of Brahmā.
निमिस्स खो पनानन्द, रञ्ञो कळारजनको नाम पुत्तो अहोसि। न सो अगारस्मा अनगारियं पब्बजि। सो तं कल्याणं वत्तं समुच्छिन्दि। सो तेसं अन्तिमपुरिसो अहोसि।
Nimissa kho panānanda, rañño kaḷārajanako nāma putto ahosi. Na so agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbaji. So taṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ samucchindi. So tesaṁ antimapuriso ahosi.
But King Nimi had a son named Kaḷārajanaka. He didn’t go forth from the lay life to homelessness. He broke that good practice. He was their final man.
सिया खो पन ते, आनन्द, एवमस्स: ‘अञ्ञो नून तेन समयेन राजा मघदेवो अहोसि, येन तं कल्याणं वत्तं निहितन्ऽति। न खो पनेतं, आनन्द, एवं दट्ठब्बं। अहं तेन समयेन राजा मघदेवो अहोसिं। अहं तं कल्याणं वत्तं निहिनिं, मया तं कल्याणं वत्तं निहितं; पच्छिमा जनता अनुप्पवत्तेसि।
Siyā kho pana te, ānanda, evamassa: ‘añño nūna tena samayena rājā maghadevo ahosi, yena taṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitan’ti. Na kho panetaṁ, ānanda, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ. Ahaṁ tena samayena rājā maghadevo ahosiṁ. Ahaṁ taṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihiniṁ, mayā taṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ; pacchimā janatā anuppavattesi.
Ānanda, you might think, ‘Surely King Makhādeva, by whom that good practice was founded, must have been someone else at that time?’ But you should not see it like this. I myself was King Makhādeva at that time. I was the one who founded that good practice, which was kept up by those who came after.
तं खो पनानन्द, कल्याणं वत्तं न निब्बिदाय न विरागाय न निरोधाय न उपसमाय न अभिञ्ञाय न सम्बोधाय न निब्बानाय संवत्तति, यावदेव ब्रह्मलोकूपपत्तिया। इदं खो पनानन्द, एतरहि मया कल्याणं वत्तं निहितं एकन्तनिब्बिदाय विरागाय निरोधाय उपसमाय अभिञ्ञाय सम्बोधाय निब्बानाय संवत्तति।
Taṁ kho panānanda, kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ na nibbidāya na virāgāya na nirodhāya na upasamāya na abhiññāya na sambodhāya na nibbānāya saṁvattati, yāvadeva brahmalokūpapattiyā. Idaṁ kho panānanda, etarahi mayā kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati.
But that good practice doesn’t lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and Nibbana. It only leads as far as rebirth in the Brahmā realm. But now I have founded a good practice that does lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and Nibbana.
कतमञ्चानन्द, एतरहि मया कल्याणं वत्तं निहितं एकन्तनिब्बिदाय विरागाय निरोधाय उपसमाय अभिञ्ञाय सम्बोधाय निब्बानाय संवत्तति? अयमेव अरियो अट्ठङ्गिको मग्गो, सेय्यथिदं—सम्मादिट्ठि, सम्मासङ्कप्पो, सम्मावाचा, सम्माकम्मन्तो, सम्माआजीवो, सम्मावायामो, सम्मासति, सम्मासमाधि। इदं खो, आनन्द, एतरहि मया कल्याणं वत्तं निहितं एकन्तनिब्बिदाय विरागाय निरोधाय उपसमाय अभिञ्ञाय सम्बोधाय निब्बानाय संवत्तति।
Katamañcānanda, etarahi mayā kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati? Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo, seyyathidaṁ—sammādiṭṭhi, sammāsaṅkappo, sammāvācā, sammākammanto, sammāājīvo, sammāvāyāmo, sammāsati, sammāsamādhi. Idaṁ kho, ānanda, etarahi mayā kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati.
And what is that good practice? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is the good practice I have now founded that leads to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and Nibbana.
तं वो अहं, आनन्द, एवं वदामि: ‘येन मे इदं कल्याणं वत्तं निहितं अनुप्पवत्तेय्याथ, मा खो मे तुम्हे अन्तिमपुरिसा अहुवत्थऽ। यस्मिं खो, आनन्द, पुरिसयुगे वत्तमाने एवरूपस्स कल्याणस्स वत्तस्स समुच्छेदो होति सो तेसं अन्तिमपुरिसो होति। तं वो अहं, आनन्द, एवं वदामि: ‘येन मे इदं कल्याणं वत्तं निहितं अनुप्पवत्तेय्याथ, मा खो मे तुम्हे अन्तिमपुरिसा अहुवत्थाऽ”ति।
Taṁ vo ahaṁ, ānanda, evaṁ vadāmi: ‘yena me idaṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ anuppavatteyyātha, mā kho me tumhe antimapurisā ahuvattha’. Yasmiṁ kho, ānanda, purisayuge vattamāne evarūpassa kalyāṇassa vattassa samucchedo hoti so tesaṁ antimapuriso hoti. Taṁ vo ahaṁ, ānanda, evaṁ vadāmi: ‘yena me idaṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ anuppavatteyyātha, mā kho me tumhe antimapurisā ahuvatthā’”ti.
Ānanda, I say to you: ‘You all should keep up this good practice that I have founded. Do not be my final men.’ Whatever generation is current when such good practice is broken, he is their final man. Ānanda, I say to you: ‘You all should keep up this good practice that I have founded. Do not be my final men.’”
इदमवोच भगवा। अत्तमनो आयस्मा आनन्दो भगवतो भासितं अभिनन्दीति।
Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamano āyasmā ānando bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandīti.
That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, Venerable Ānanda was happy with what the Buddha said.
मघदेवसुत्तं निट्ठितं ततियं।
Maghadevasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ tatiyaṁ.
The authoritative text of the Majjhima Nikāya is the Pāli text. The English translation is provided as an aid to the study of the original Pāli text. [CREDITS »]
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