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Majjhima Nikāya 83

Maghadevasutta

About King Maghadeva · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral

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NimiNimi of thosetesaṁ kingrājā the lastpacchimako wasahosi righteousdhammiko righteous kingdhammarājā in the dhammadhamme stoodṭhito a great king;mahārājā;
the dhammadhammaṁ practicescarati to brahmins and householdersbrāhmaṇagahapatikesu to townspeoplenegamesu andceva to country folkjānapadesu and;ca;
and the sabbathuposathañca observesupavasati on the fourteenthcātuddasiṁ on the fifteenthpañcadasiṁ and on the eighthaṭṭhamiñca of the fortnight.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 sabbath on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth of the fortnight.

once upon a timeBhūtapubbaṁ, Ānandaānanda, of the godsdevānaṁ of the thirty-threetāvatiṁsānaṁ in the Hall of Clear Rightsudhammāyaṁ in the hallsabhāyaṁ of those sitting togethersannisinnānaṁ of those assembledsannipatitānaṁ this discussionayamantarākathā aroseudapādi:
fortunate‘lābhā indeedvata, good fellowbho, of the Videhansvidehānaṁ, well gainedsuladdhaṁ indeedvata, good fellowbho, of the Videhansvidehānaṁ,
of whomyesaṁ Niminimi kingrājā justdhammiko principled kingdhammarājā in dutydhamme standingṭhito great kingmahārājā;
dutydhammaṁ treats justlycarati toward brahmins and householdersbrāhmaṇagahapatikesu toward townspeoplenegamesu andceva toward country peoplejānapadesu andca;
and the sabbathuposathañca observesupavasati on the fourteenthcātuddasiṁ on the fifteenthpañcadasiṁ and on the eighthaṭṭhamiñca of the fortnightpakkhassā’ti.
thenAtha thenkho, Ānandaānanda, Sakkasakko lord of godsdevānamindo the godsdeve thirty-threetāvatiṁse addressedāmantesi:
you would wish‘iccheyyātha indeedno youtumhe, good fellowsmārisā, Niminimiṁ kingrājānaṁ to seedaṭṭhun’ti?
we wish‘Icchāma wemayaṁ, good fellowsmārisa, Niminimiṁ kingrājānaṁ to seedaṭṭhun’ti.
at thatTena thenkho nowpana, Ānandaānanda, timesamayena Niminimi kingrājā on that day, the sabbathtadahuposathe on the fifteenthpannarase having bathed his headsīsaṁnhāto observing the sabbathuposathiko gone upstairs in the royal longhouseuparipāsādavaragato sittingnisinno washoti.
thenAtha thenkho, Ānandaānanda, Sakkasakko lord of gods—just asdevānamindo—seyyathāpi indeednāma strongbalavā personpuriso contractedsamiñjitaṁ orvā armbāhaṁ would extendpasāreyya, extendedpasāritaṁ orvā armbāhaṁ would contractsamiñjeyya; just so—among the godsevameva—devesu the thirty-threetāvatiṁsesu vanishedantarahito of Niminimissa of the kingrañño in frontpamukhe appearedpāturahosi.

Once upon a time, Ānanda, while the gods of the thirty-three were sitting together in the Hall of Clear Right, 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 sabbath on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth of the fortnight.’ Then Sakka, lord of gods, addressed the gods of the thirty-three, ‘Good fellows, would you like to see King Nimi?’ ‘We would.’ Now at that time it was the fifteenth day sabbath, and King Nimi had bathed his head and was sitting upstairs in the royal longhouse to observe the sabbath. 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.

thenAtha indeedkho, Ānandaānanda, Sakkasakko lord of godsdevānamindo Niminimiṁ kingrājānaṁ said thisetadavoca:
gains‘lābhā for youte, great kingmahārāja, well gainedsuladdhaṁ for youte, great kingmahārāja.
godsDevā, great kingmahārāja, Thirty-threetāvatiṁsā in Sudhammasudhammāyaṁ in the hallsabhāyaṁ as if praisingkittayamānarūpā were sitting togethersannisinnā:
gains“lābhā surelyvata, sirbho, of the Videhansvidehānaṁ, well gainedsuladdhaṁ surelyvata, sirbho, of the Videhansvidehānaṁ,
of whomyesaṁ Niminimi kingrājā righteousdhammiko righteous kingdhammarājā in dhammadhamme establishedṭhito great kingmahārājā;
dhammadhammaṁ practicescarati among brahmins and householdersbrāhmaṇagahapatikesu among townsfolknegamesu andceva among countryfolkjānapadesu andca;
and the sabbathuposathañca observesupavasati on the fourteenthcātuddasiṁ on the fifteenthpañcadasiṁ and on the eighthaṭṭhamiñca of the fortnightpakkhassā”ti.
godsDevā thosete, great kingmahārāja, Thirty-threetāvatiṁsā desiring to seedassanakāmā.
for himTassa for youte Iahaṁ, great kingmahārāja, yoked with a thousandsahassayuttaṁ thoroughbred chariotājaññarathaṁ will sendpahiṇissāmi;
you should mountabhiruheyyāsi, great kingmahārāja, divinedibbaṁ vehicleyānaṁ not waveringavikampamāno’ti.
consentedAdhivāsesi indeedkho, Ānandaānanda, Niminimi kingrājā with silencetuṇhībhāvena.
thenAtha indeedkho, Ānandaānanda, Sakkasakko lord of godsdevānamindo of Niminimissa of the kingrañño consentadhivāsanaṁ having known — just asviditvā—seyyathāpi indeednāma strongbalavā personpuriso bentsamiñjitaṁ orvā armbāhaṁ would extendpasāreyya, extendedpasāritaṁ orvā armbāhaṁ would bendsamiñjeyya; just so — of Nimievameva—nimissa of the kingrañño in frontpamukhe vanishedantarahito among the godsdevesu of the Thirty-threetāvatiṁsesu appearedpāturahosi.

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 Clear Right, where they were singing your praises. 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, without wavering!’ King Nimi consented with silence. 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 gods of the thirty-three.

thenAtha indeedkho, Ānandaānanda, Sakkasakko lord of godsdevānamindo Mātalimātaliṁ chariot handlersaṅgāhakaṁ addressedāmantesi:
come‘ehi youtvaṁ, dearsamma Mātalimātali, with a thousandsahassayuttaṁ chariot with thoroughbredsājaññarathaṁ having harnessedyojetvā Niminimiṁ kingrājānaṁ having approachedupasaṅkamitvā thusevaṁ sayvadehi—
thisayaṁ for youte, great kingmahārāja, yoked with a thousandsahassayutto chariot with thoroughbredsājaññaratho by Sakkasakkena by the lord of godsdevānamindena sentpesito;
you should mountabhiruheyyāsi, great kingmahārāja, heavenlydibbaṁ vehicleyānaṁ not waveringavikampamāno’ti.
yes‘Evaṁ, lordbhaddantavā’ti indeedkho, Ānandaānanda, Mātalimātali chariot handlersaṅgāhako to Sakkasakkassa to the lord of godsdevānamindassa having assentedpaṭissutvā with a thousandsahassayuttaṁ chariot with thoroughbredsājaññarathaṁ having harnessedyojetvā Niminimiṁ kingrājānaṁ having approachedupasaṅkamitvā said thisetadavoca:
this‘ayaṁ for youte, great kingmahārāja, yoked with a thousandsahassayutto chariot with thoroughbredsājaññaratho by Sakkasakkena by the lord of godsdevānamindena sentpesito;
mountabhiruha, great kingmahārāja, heavenlydibbaṁ vehicleyānaṁ not waveringavikampamāno.
butApi andca, great kingmahārāja, by whichkatamena youtaṁ I leadnemi, whereyena orvā those of bad deedspāpakammā of badpāpakānaṁ of deedskammānaṁ resultvipākaṁ they experiencepaṭisaṁvedenti, whereyena orvā those of good deedskalyāṇakammā of goodkalyāṇakammānaṁ resultvipākaṁ they experiencepaṭisaṁvedentī’ti?
by both‘Ubhayeneva memaṁ, Mātalimātali, leadnehī’ti.

Then Sakka, lord of gods, addressed his chariot handler 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, without wavering!”’ ‘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, without wavering! 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?’ ‘Take me both ways, Mātali.’

caused to enterSampavesesi indeedkho, Ānandaānanda, Mātalimātali, charioteersaṅgāhako King Niminimiṁ kingrājānaṁ Clear Rightsudhammaṁ hallsabhaṁ.
sawAddasā indeedkho, Ānandaānanda, Sakkasakko lord of godsdevānamindo Niminimiṁ kingrājānaṁ from afardūratova comingāgacchantaṁ.
having seenDisvāna Niminimiṁ kingrājānaṁ said thisetadavoca:
come‘ehi indeedkho, Great Kingmahārāja.
welcomeSvāgataṁ, Great Kingmahārāja.
godsDevā thesete wishing to seedassanakāmā, Great Kingmahārāja, of the thirty-threetāvatiṁsā Clear Rightsudhammāyaṁ hallsabhāyaṁ appearing to praisekittayamānarūpā sitting togethersannisinnā:
gain“lābhā trulyvata, sirsbho, for the Videhasvidehānaṁ, well gainedsuladdhaṁ trulyvata, sirsbho, for the Videhasvidehānaṁ,
for whomyesaṁ Niminimi kingrājā righteousdhammiko righteous kingdhammarājā in dhammadhamme establishedṭhito Great Kingmahārājā;
dhammadhammaṁ practicescarati among brahmins and householdersbrāhmaṇagahapatikesu among townsfolknegamesu andceva among countryfolkjānapadesu andca;
and the sabbathuposathañca observesupavasati on the fourteenthcātuddasiṁ on the fifteenthpañcadasiṁ and on the eighthaṭṭhamiñca of the fortnightpakkhassā”ti.
godsDevā thesete, Great Kingmahārāja, of the thirty-threetāvatiṁsā wishing to seedassanakāmā.
take delightAbhirama, Great Kingmahārāja, among the godsdevesu with heavenly glorydevānubhāvenā’ti.
enough‘Alaṁ, good fellowmārisa, right theretattheva memaṁ Mithilāmithilaṁ send backpaṭinetu.
so ITathāhaṁ dhammadhammaṁ I shall practicecarissāmi among brahmins and householdersbrāhmaṇagahapatikesu among townsfolknegamesu andceva among countryfolkjānapadesu andca;
and the sabbathuposathañca I observeupavasāmi on the fourteenthcātuddasiṁ on the fifteenthpañcadasiṁ and on the eighthaṭṭhamiñca of the fortnightpakkhassā’ti.

Mātali brought King Nimi to the Hall of Clear Right. 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 Clear Right, where they were singing your praises. The gods of the thirty-three would like to see you. Enjoy heavenly glory among the gods!’ ‘Enough, good fellow. 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 sabbath on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth of the fortnight.’

thenAtha indeedkho, Ānandaānanda, Sakkasakko lord of godsdevānamindo Mātalimātaliṁ chariot handlersaṅgāhakaṁ addressedāmantesi:
come‘ehi youtvaṁ, dearsamma Mātalimātali, yoked with a thousandsahassayuttaṁ thoroughbred chariotājaññarathaṁ having yokedyojetvā Niminimiṁ kingrājānaṁ right theretattheva to Mithilāmithilaṁ send back. quotation markerpaṭinehī’ti.
yes‘Evaṁ, lord. quotation markerbhaddantavā’ti indeedkho, Ānandaānanda, Mātalimātali chariot handlersaṅgāhako of Sakkasakkassa lord of godsdevānamindassa having assentedpaṭissutvā yoked with a thousandsahassayuttaṁ thoroughbred chariotājaññarathaṁ having yokedyojetvā Niminimiṁ kingrājānaṁ right theretattheva to Mithilāmithilaṁ sent backpaṭinesi.
thereTatra indeedsudaṁ, Ānandaānanda, Niminimi kingrājā dhammadhammaṁ practicedcarati among brahmins and householdersbrāhmaṇagahapatikesu among townsfolknegamesu andceva among countryfolkjānapadesu andca, and the sabbathuposathañca observedupavasati on the fourteenthcātuddasiṁ on the fifteenthpañcadasiṁ and on the eighthaṭṭhamiñca of the fortnight. quotation markerpakkhassāti.
thenAtha indeedkho, Ānandaānanda, Niminimi kingrājā of manybahūnaṁ yearsvassānaṁ of manybahūnaṁ hundred yearsvassasatānaṁ of manybahūnaṁ thousand yearsvassasahassānaṁ after the passingaccayena barberkappakaṁ addressedāmantesi:
when‘yadā myme, dearsamma barberkappaka, you should seepasseyyāsi on the headsirasmiṁ grey hairspalitāni bornjātāni, thenatha meme you should tell. quotation markerāroceyyāsī’ti.
yes‘Evaṁ, lord. quotation markerdevā’ti indeedkho, Ānandaānanda, barberkappako of Niminimissa kingrañño assentedpaccassosi.

Then Sakka, lord of gods, addressed his chariot handler Mātali, ‘Come, dear Mātali, harness the chariot with a thousand thoroughbreds and send King Nimi back to Mithilā right away.’ ‘Yes, lord,’ replied Mātali, and did as Sakka asked. And there King Nimi justly treated his people, and observed the sabbath. 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.

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