AN 4 The Book of the Fours – Catukkanipāta > AN 4.15 Regarded as Foremost

Numbered Discourses 4.15 – Aṅguttara Nikāya 4.15

2. Walking – 2. Caravagga

AN 4.15 Regarded as Foremost – Paññattisutta

1.1

“Bhikkhū, these four are regarded as foremost.

“Catasso imā, bhikkhave, aggapaññattiyo.

1.2

What four?

Katamā catasso?

1.3

The foremost in size of life-form is

Etadaggaṁ, bhikkhave, attabhāvīnaṁ yadidaṁ—

1.4

Rāhu, lord of demons.

rāhu asurindo.

1.5

The foremost sensualist is

Etadaggaṁ, bhikkhave, kāmabhogīnaṁ yadidaṁ—

1.6

King Mandhātā.

rājā mandhātā.

1.7

The foremost in sovereignty is

Etadaggaṁ, bhikkhave, ādhipateyyānaṁ yadidaṁ—

1.8

Māra the Wicked.

māro pāpimā.

1.9

In this world—with its gods, Māras and Brahmās, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—a Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha is said to be the best.

Sadevake, bhikkhave, loke samārake sabrahmake sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiyā pajāya sadevamanussāya tathāgato aggamakkhāyati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho.

1.10

These are the four regarded as foremost.

Imā kho, bhikkhave, catasso aggapaññattiyoti.

2.1

Rāhu is foremost in size of life-form,

Rāhuggaṁ attabhāvīnaṁ,

2.2

Mandhātā in enjoying sensual pleasures,

mandhātā kāmabhoginaṁ;

2.3

Māra in sovereignty,

Māro ādhipateyyānaṁ,

2.4

shining with power and glory.

iddhiyā yasasā jalaṁ.

3.1

Above, below, all round,

Uddhaṁ tiriyaṁ apācīnaṁ,

3.2

as far as the earth extends;

yāvatājagatogati;

3.3

in all the world with its gods,

Sadevakassa lokassa,

3.4

the Buddha is declared foremost.”

buddho aggo pavuccatī”ti.

3.5

Pañcamaṁ.