The Sages Asita and Nālaka · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral
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⚠ Glossing did not finish. The original text is shown below.
Ānandajāte tidasagaṇe patīte, Sakkañca indaṁ sucivasane ca deve; Dussaṁ gahetvā atiriva thomayante, Asito isi addasa divāvihāre.
The seer Asita in his daily meditation saw the bright-clad gods of the host of Thirty and their lord Sakka joyfully celebrating, waving streamers in exuberant exaltation.
Disvāna deve muditamane udagge, Cittiṁ karitvāna idamavoca tattha; “Kiṁ devasaṅgho atiriva kalyarūpo, Dussaṁ gahetvā ramayatha kiṁ paṭicca.
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?
Yadāpi āsī asurehi saṅgamo, Jayo surānaṁ asurā parājitā; Tadāpi netādiso lomahaṁsano, Kimabbhutaṁ daṭṭhu marū pamoditā.
Even in the war with the titans, when gods were victorious and titans defeated, there was no such excitement. What marvel have the celestials seen that they so rejoice?
Seḷenti gāyanti ca vādayanti ca, Bhujāni phoṭenti ca naccayanti ca; Pucchāmi vohaṁ merumuddhavāsine, Dhunātha me saṁsayaṁ khippa mārisā”.
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 fellows!”
“So bodhisatto ratanavaro atulyo, Manussaloke hitasukhatthāya jāto; Sakyāna gāme janapade lumbineyye, Tenamha tuṭṭhā atiriva kalyarūpā.
“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.
So sabbasattuttamo aggapuggalo, Narāsabho sabbapajānamuttamo; Vattessati cakkamisivhaye vane, Nadaṁva sīho balavā migābhibhū”.
He is supreme among all beings, the peak individual, captain of men, supreme among all creatures. He will roll forth the wheel in the grove of the seers, roaring like a mighty lion, lord of beasts.”
Taṁ saddaṁ sutvā turitamavasarī so, Suddhodanassa tada bhavanaṁ upāvisi; Nisajja tattha idamavocāsi sakye, “Kuhiṁ kumāro ahamapi daṭṭhukāmo”.
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!”
Tato kumāraṁ jalitamiva suvaṇṇaṁ, Ukkāmukheva sukusalasampahaṭṭhaṁ; Daddallamānaṁ siriyā anomavaṇṇaṁ, Dassesu puttaṁ asitavhayassa sakyā.
Then the Sakyans showed their son to the one named Asita— the boy shone like burning gold well-wrought in the forge; dazzling with glory, of peerless beauty.
Disvā kumāraṁ sikhimiva pajjalantaṁ, Tārāsabhaṁva nabhasigamaṁ visuddhaṁ; Suriyaṁ tapantaṁ saradarivabbhamuttaṁ, Ānandajāto vipulamalattha pītiṁ.
The boy beamed like crested flame, pure as the moon, lord of stars traversing the sky, blazing like the sun free of stormclouds after the rains; seeing him, he was joyful, brimming with happiness.
Anekasākhañca sahassamaṇḍalaṁ, Chattaṁ marū dhārayumantalikkhe; Suvaṇṇadaṇḍā vītipatanti cāmarā, Na dissare cāmarachattagāhakā.
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.
Disvā jaṭī kaṇhasirivhayo isi, Suvaṇṇanikkhaṁ viya paṇḍukambale; Setañca chattaṁ dhariyanta muddhani, Udaggacitto sumano paṭiggahe.
When the matted hair seer named “Dark Splendor” had seen the boy like a gold ingot on a cream rug with a white parasol held over his head, he received him, elated and happy.
Paṭiggahetvā pana sakyapuṅgavaṁ, Jigīsako lakkhaṇamantapāragū; Pasannacitto giramabbhudīrayi, “Anuttarāyaṁ dvipadānamuttamo”.
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!”
Athattano gamanamanussaranto, Akalyarūpo gaḷayati assukāni; Disvāna sakyā isimavocuṁ rudantaṁ, “No ce kumāre bhavissati antarāyo”.
But then, remembering he would depart this world, his spirits fell and his tears flowed. Seeing the weeping seer, the Sakyans said, “Surely there will be no threat to the boy?”
Disvāna sakye isimavoca akalye, “Nāhaṁ kumāre ahitamanussarāmi; Na cāpimassa bhavissati antarāyo, Na orakāyaṁ adhimānasā bhavātha.
Seeing the crestfallen Sakyans, the seer 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.
Sambodhiyaggaṁ phusissatāyaṁ kumāro, So dhammacakkaṁ paramavisuddhadassī; Vattessatāyaṁ bahujanahitānukampī, Vitthārikassa bhavissati brahmacariyaṁ.
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.
Mamañca āyu na ciramidhāvaseso, Athantarā me bhavissati kālakiriyā; Sohaṁ na sossaṁ asamadhurassa dhammaṁ, Tenamhi aṭṭo byasanaṅgato aghāvī”.
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!”
So sākiyānaṁ vipulaṁ janetvā pītiṁ, Antepuramhā niggamā brahmacārī; So bhāgineyyaṁ sayaṁ anukampamāno, Samādapesi asamadhurassa dhamme.
Having brought abundant happiness to the Sakyans, the spiritual seeker left the royal compound. He had a nephew; and out of sympathy he encouraged him in the teaching of the one who bore the unequaled burden.
“Buddhoti ghosaṁ yada parato suṇāsi, Sambodhipatto vivarati dhammamaggaṁ; Gantvāna tattha samayaṁ paripucchamāno, Carassu tasmiṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ”.
“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.”
Tenānusiṭṭho hitamanena tādinā, Anāgate paramavisuddhadassinā; So nālako upacitapuññasañcayo, Jinaṁ patikkhaṁ parivasi rakkhitindriyo.
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 anticipating the Victor, guarding his senses.
Sutvāna ghosaṁ jinavaracakkavattane, Gantvāna disvā isinisabhaṁ pasanno; Moneyyaseṭṭhaṁ munipavaraṁ apucchi, Samāgate asitāvhayassa sāsaneti. Vatthugāthā niṭṭhitā.
When he heard of the Victor rolling forth the excellent wheel he went to him, and seeing the boss seer, 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.
“Aññātametaṁ vacanaṁ, Asitassa yathātathaṁ; Taṁ taṁ gotama pucchāmi, Sabbadhammāna pāraguṁ.
“I now know that Asita’s words have turned out to be true. I ask you this, Gotama, who has gone beyond all things:
Anagāriyupetassa, Bhikkhācariyaṁ jigīsato; Muni pabrūhi me puṭṭho, Moneyyaṁ uttamaṁ padaṁ”.
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.”
“Moneyyaṁ te upaññissaṁ, (iti bhagavā) Dukkaraṁ durabhisambhavaṁ; Handa te naṁ pavakkhāmi, Santhambhassu daḷho bhava.
“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!
Samānabhāgaṁ kubbetha, Gāme akkuṭṭhavanditaṁ; Manopadosaṁ rakkheyya, Santo anuṇṇato care.
In the village, keep the same attitude no matter if reviled or praised. Guard against ill-tempered thoughts; wander peaceful and humble.
Uccāvacā niccharanti, Dāye aggisikhūpamā; Nāriyo muniṁ palobhenti, Tā su taṁ mā palobhayuṁ.
Many different things come up, like tongues of fire in a forest. Women try to seduce a sage— let them not seduce you!
Virato methunā dhammā, Hitvā kāme paropare; Aviruddho asāratto, Pāṇesu tasathāvare.
Refraining from sex, having left behind sensual pleasures high and low, don’t be hostile or attached to living creatures firm or frail.
Yathā ahaṁ tathā ete, Yathā ete tathā ahaṁ; Attānaṁ upamaṁ katvā, Na haneyya na ghātaye.
‘As am I, so are they; as are they, so am I’— Treating others like oneself, neither kill nor incite to kill.
Hitvā icchañca lobhañca, Yattha satto puthujjano; Cakkhumā paṭipajjeyya, Tareyya narakaṁ imaṁ.
Leaving behind desire and greed for what ordinary people are attached to, one whose eye is clear would set out to practice, they’d cross over this abyss.
Ūnūdaro mitāhāro, Appicchassa alolupo; Sadā icchāya nicchāto, Aniccho hoti nibbuto.
With empty stomach, taking limited food, few in wishes, not greedy; truly hungerless regarding all desires, desireless, one is quenched.
Sa piṇḍacāraṁ caritvā, Vanantamabhihāraye; Upaṭṭhito rukkhamūlasmiṁ, Āsanūpagato muni.
Having wandered for alms, they’d take themselves into the forest; and nearing the foot of a tree, the sage would take their seat.
Sa jhānapasuto dhīro, Vanante ramito siyā; Jhāyetha rukkhamūlasmiṁ, Attānamabhitosayaṁ.
That attentive one intent on absorption, would delight within the forest. They’d practice absorption at the foot of a tree, filling themselves with bliss.
Tato ratyā vivasāne, Gāmantamabhihāraye; Avhānaṁ nābhinandeyya, Abhihārañca gāmato.
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.
Na munī gāmamāgamma, Kulesu sahasā care; Ghāsesanaṁ chinnakatho, Na vācaṁ payutaṁ bhaṇe.
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.
Alatthaṁ yadidaṁ sādhu, Nālatthaṁ kusalaṁ iti; Ubhayeneva so tādī, Rukkhaṁvupanivattati.
‘I got something, that’s good. I got nothing, that’s fine.’ Unaffected in both cases, they return right to the tree.
Sa pattapāṇi vicaranto, Amūgo mūgasammato; Appaṁ dānaṁ na hīḷeyya, Dātāraṁ nāvajāniyā.
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.
Uccāvacā hi paṭipadā, Samaṇena pakāsitā; Na pāraṁ diguṇaṁ yanti, Nayidaṁ ekaguṇaṁ mutaṁ.
For the practice has many aspects, as revealed by the Ascetic. They do not go to the far shore twice, nor having gone once do they fall away.
Yassa ca visatā natthi, Chinnasotassa bhikkhuno; Kiccākiccappahīnassa, Pariḷāho na vijjati.
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.
Moneyyaṁ te upaññissaṁ, Khuradhārūpamo bhave; Jivhāya tālumāhacca, Udare saññato siyā.
I shall school you in sagacity. Practice as if you were licking a razor’s edge. With tongue pressed against the roof of your mouth, be restrained regarding your stomach.
Alīnacitto ca siyā, Na cāpi bahu cintaye; Nirāmagandho asito, Brahmacariyaparāyaṇo.
Don’t be sluggish in mind, nor think overly much. Be free of putrefaction and unattached, committed to the spiritual life.
Ekāsanassa sikkhetha, Samaṇūpāsanassa ca; Ekattaṁ monamakkhātaṁ, Eko ce abhiramissasi; Atha bhāhisi dasadisā.
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.
Sutvā dhīrānaṁ nighosaṁ, Jhāyīnaṁ kāmacāginaṁ; Tato hiriñca saddhañca, Bhiyyo kubbetha māmako.
Having heard the words of the attentive, the meditators who’ve given up sensual desires, a follower of mine would develop conscience and faith all the more.
Taṁ nadīhi vijānātha, Sobbhesu padaresu ca; Saṇantā yanti kusobbhā, Tuṇhī yanti mahodadhī.
Understand this by the way streams move in clefts and crevices: the little creeks flow on resounding, while silent flow the great rivers.
Yadūnakaṁ taṁ saṇati, Yaṁ pūraṁ santameva taṁ; Aḍḍhakumbhūpamo bālo, Rahado pūrova paṇḍito.
What is lacking, resounds; what is full is at peace. The fool is like a half-full pot; the wise like a brimfull lake.
Yaṁ samaṇo bahuṁ bhāsati, Upetaṁ atthasañhitaṁ; Jānaṁ so dhammaṁ deseti, Jānaṁ so bahu bhāsati.
When the Ascetic speaks much it is relevant and meaningful: knowing, he teaches the Dhamma; knowing, he speaks much.
Yo ca jānaṁ saṁyatatto, Jānaṁ na bahu bhāsati; Sa munī monamarahati, Sa munī monamajjhagā”ti. Nālakasuttaṁ ekādasamaṁ.
But one who, knowing, is self-controlled, knowing, does not speak much; that sage is worthy of sagacity, that sage has achieved sagacity.”
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