AN 5 The Book of the Fives – Pañcakanipāta > AN 5.50 With Nārada

Numbered Discourses 5.50 – Aṅguttara Nikāya 5.50

5. With King Muṇḍa – 5. Muṇḍarājavagga

AN 5.50 With Nārada – Nāradasutta

1.1

At one time Venerable Nārada was staying near Pāṭaliputta, in the Chicken Monastery.

Ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā nārado pāṭaliputte viharati kukkuṭārāme.

1.2

Now at that time King Muṇḍa’s dear and beloved Queen Bhaddā had just passed away.

Tena kho pana samayena muṇḍassa rañño bhaddā devī kālaṅkatā hoti piyā manāpā.

1.3

And since that time, the king did not bathe, anoint himself, eat his meals, or apply himself to his work.

So bhaddāya deviyā kālaṅkatāya piyāya manāpāya neva nhāyati na vilimpati na bhattaṁ bhuñjati na kammantaṁ payojeti—

1.4

Day and night he brooded over Queen Bhaddā’s corpse.

rattindivaṁ bhaddāya deviyā sarīre ajjhomucchito.

1.5

Then King Muṇḍa addressed his treasurer, Piyaka,

Atha kho muṇḍo rājā piyakaṁ kosārakkhaṁ āmantesi:

1.6

“So, my good Piyaka, please place Queen Bhaddā’s corpse in an iron case filled with oil. Then close it up with another case, so that we can view Queen Bhaddā’s body even longer.”

“tena hi, samma piyaka, bhaddāya deviyā sarīraṁ āyasāya teladoṇiyā pakkhipitvā aññissā āyasāya doṇiyā paṭikujjatha, yathā mayaṁ bhaddāya deviyā sarīraṁ cirataraṁ passeyyāmā”ti.

1.7

“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied Piyaka the treasurer, and he did as the king instructed.

“Evaṁ, devā”ti kho piyako kosārakkho muṇḍassa rañño paṭissutvā bhaddāya deviyā sarīraṁ āyasāya teladoṇiyā pakkhipitvā aññissā āyasāya doṇiyā paṭikujji.

2.1

Then it occurred to Piyaka,

Atha kho piyakassa kosārakkhassa etadahosi:

2.2

“King Muṇḍa’s dear and beloved Queen Bhaddā has passed away.

“imassa kho muṇḍassa rañño bhaddā devī kālaṅkatā piyā manāpā.

2.3

Since then the king does not bathe, anoint himself, eat his meals, or apply himself to his work.

So bhaddāya deviyā kālaṅkatāya piyāya manāpāya neva nhāyati na vilimpati na bhattaṁ bhuñjati na kammantaṁ payojeti—

2.4

Day and night he broods over Queen Bhaddā’s corpse.

rattindivaṁ bhaddāya deviyā sarīre ajjhomucchito.

2.5

Now, what ascetic or brahmin might the king pay homage to, whose teaching could help the king give up sorrow’s arrow?”

Kaṁ nu kho muṇḍo rājā samaṇaṁ vā brāhmaṇaṁ vā payirupāseyya, yassa dhammaṁ sutvā sokasallaṁ pajaheyyā”ti.

3.1

Then it occurred to Piyaka,

Atha kho piyakassa kosārakkhassa etadahosi:

3.2

“This Venerable Nārada is staying in the Chicken Monastery at Pāṭaliputta.

“ayaṁ kho āyasmā nārado pāṭaliputte viharati kukkuṭārāme.

3.3

He has this good reputation:

Taṁ kho panāyasmantaṁ nāradaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:

3.4

‘He is astute, competent, intelligent, learned, a brilliant speaker, eloquent, mature, a perfected one.’

‘paṇḍito viyatto medhāvī bahussuto cittakathī kalyāṇapaṭibhāno vuddho ceva arahā ca’.

3.5

What if King Muṇḍa was to pay homage to Venerable Nārada? Hopefully when he hears Nārada’s teaching, the king could give up sorrow’s arrow.”

Yannūna muṇḍo rājā āyasmantaṁ nāradaṁ payirupāseyya, appeva nāma muṇḍo rājā āyasmato nāradassa dhammaṁ sutvā sokasallaṁ pajaheyyā”ti.

4.1

Then Piyaka went to the king and said to him,

Atha kho piyako kosārakkho yena muṇḍo rājā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā muṇḍaṁ rājānaṁ etadavoca:

4.2

“Sire, this Venerable Nārada is staying in the Chicken Monastery at Pāṭaliputta.

“ayaṁ kho, deva, āyasmā nārado pāṭaliputte viharati kukkuṭārāme.

4.3

He has this good reputation:

Taṁ kho panāyasmantaṁ nāradaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:

4.4

‘He is astute, competent, intelligent, learned, a brilliant speaker, eloquent, mature, a perfected one.’

‘paṇḍito viyatto medhāvī bahussuto cittakathī kalyāṇapaṭibhāno vuddho ceva arahā ca’.

4.5

What if Your Majesty was to pay homage to Venerable Nārada? Hopefully when you hear Nārada’s teaching, you could give up sorrow’s arrow.”

Yadi pana devo āyasmantaṁ nāradaṁ payirupāseyya, appeva nāma devo āyasmato nāradassa dhammaṁ sutvā sokasallaṁ pajaheyyā”ti.

4.6

“Well then, my good Piyaka, let Nārada know.

“Tena hi, samma piyaka, āyasmantaṁ nāradaṁ paṭivedehi.

4.7

For how could one such as I presume to visit an ascetic or brahmin in my realm without first letting them know?”

Kathañhi nāma mādiso samaṇaṁ vā brāhmaṇaṁ vā vijite vasantaṁ pubbe appaṭisaṁvidito upasaṅkamitabbaṁ maññeyyā”ti.

4.8

“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied Piyaka the treasurer. He went to Nārada, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,

“Evaṁ, devā”ti kho piyako kosārakkho muṇḍassa rañño paṭissutvā yenāyasmā nārado tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ nāradaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho piyako kosārakkho āyasmantaṁ nāradaṁ etadavoca:

5.1

“Sir, King Muṇḍa’s dear and beloved Queen Bhaddā has passed away.

“Imassa, bhante, muṇḍassa rañño bhaddā devī kālaṅkatā piyā manāpā.

5.2

And since she passed away, the king has not bathed, anointed himself, eaten his meals, or got his business done.

So bhaddāya deviyā kālaṅkatāya piyāya manāpāya neva nhāyati na vilimpati na bhattaṁ bhuñjati na kammantaṁ payojeti—

5.3

Day and night he broods over Queen Bhaddā’s corpse.

rattindivaṁ bhaddāya deviyā sarīre ajjhomucchito.

5.4

Sir, please teach the king so that, when he hears your teaching, he can give up sorrow’s arrow.”

Sādhu, bhante, āyasmā nārado muṇḍassa rañño tathā dhammaṁ desetu yathā muṇḍo rājā āyasmato nāradassa dhammaṁ sutvā sokasallaṁ pajaheyyā”ti.

5.5

“Please, Piyaka, let the king come when he likes.”

“Yassadāni, piyaka, muṇḍo rājā kālaṁ maññatī”ti.

6.1

Then Piyaka got up from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled Venerable Nārada, keeping him on his right, before going to the king and saying,

Atha kho piyako kosārakkho uṭṭhāyāsanā āyasmantaṁ nāradaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā yena muṇḍo rājā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā muṇḍaṁ rājānaṁ etadavoca:

6.2

“Sire, the request for an audience with Venerable Nārada has been granted.

“katāvakāso kho, deva, āyasmatā nāradena.

6.3

Please, Your Majesty, go at your convenience.”

Yassadāni devo kālaṁ maññatī”ti.

6.4

“Well then, my good Piyaka, harness the finest chariots.”

“Tena hi, samma piyaka, bhadrāni bhadrāni yānāni yojāpehī”ti.

6.5

“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied Piyaka the treasurer. He did so, then told the king:

“Evaṁ, devā”ti kho piyako kosārakkho muṇḍassa rañño paṭissutvā bhadrāni bhadrāni yānāni yojāpetvā muṇḍaṁ rājānaṁ etadavoca:

6.6

“Sire, the finest chariots are harnessed.

“yuttāni kho te, deva, bhadrāni bhadrāni yānāni.

6.7

Please, Your Majesty, go at your convenience.”

Yassadāni devo kālaṁ maññatī”ti.

7.1

Then King Muṇḍa mounted a fine carriage and, along with other fine carriages, set out in full royal pomp to see Venerable Nārada at the Chicken Monastery.

Atha kho muṇḍo rājā bhadraṁ yānaṁ abhiruhitvā bhadrehi bhadrehi yānehi yena kukkuṭārāmo tena pāyāsi mahaccā rājānubhāvena āyasmantaṁ nāradaṁ dassanāya.

7.2

He went by carriage as far as the terrain allowed, then descended and entered the monastery on foot.

Yāvatikā yānassa bhūmi yānena gantvā, yānā paccorohitvā pattikova ārāmaṁ pāvisi.

7.3

Then the king went up to Nārada, bowed, and sat down to one side. Then Nārada said to him:

Atha kho muṇḍo rājā yena āyasmā nārado tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ nāradaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho muṇḍaṁ rājānaṁ āyasmā nārado etadavoca:

8.1

“Great king, there are five things that cannot be had by any ascetic or brahmin or god or Māra or Brahmā or by anyone in the world.

“Pañcimāni, mahārāja, alabbhanīyāni ṭhānāni samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā devena vā mārena vā brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmiṁ.

8.2

What five?

Katamāni pañca?

8.3

That someone liable to old age should not grow old. …

‘Jarādhammaṁ mā jīrī’ti alabbhanīyaṁ ṭhānaṁ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā devena vā mārena vā brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmiṁ.

8.4

That someone liable to sickness should not get sick. … That someone liable to death should not die. … That someone liable to ending should not end. … That someone liable to perishing should not perish. …

‘Byādhidhammaṁ mā byādhīyī’ti …pe… ‘maraṇadhammaṁ mā mīyī’ti … ‘khayadhammaṁ mā khīyī’ti … ‘nassanadhammaṁ mā nassī’ti alabbhanīyaṁ ṭhānaṁ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā devena vā mārena vā brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmiṁ.

9.1

An uneducated ordinary person has someone liable to old age who grows old.

Assutavato, mahārāja, puthujjanassa jarādhammaṁ jīrati.

9.2

But they don’t reflect on old age:

So jarādhamme jiṇṇe na iti paṭisañcikkhati:

9.3

‘It’s not just me who has someone liable to old age who grows old. For all sentient beings have someone liable to old age who grows old, as long as sentient beings come and go, pass away and are reborn.

‘na kho mayhevekassa jarādhammaṁ jīrati, atha kho yāvatā sattānaṁ āgati gati cuti upapatti sabbesaṁ sattānaṁ jarādhammaṁ jīrati.

9.4

If I were to sorrow and wail and lament, beating my breast and falling into confusion, just because someone liable to old age grows old, I’d lose my appetite and my physical appearance would deteriorate. My work wouldn’t get done, my enemies would be encouraged, and my friends would be dispirited.’

Ahañceva kho pana jarādhamme jiṇṇe soceyyaṁ kilameyyaṁ parideveyyaṁ, urattāḷiṁ kandeyyaṁ, sammohaṁ āpajjeyyaṁ, bhattampi me nacchādeyya, kāyepi dubbaṇṇiyaṁ okkameyya, kammantāpi nappavatteyyuṁ, amittāpi attamanā assu, mittāpi dummanā assū’ti.

9.5

And so, when someone liable to old age grows old, they sorrow and wail and lament, beating their breast and falling into confusion.

So jarādhamme jiṇṇe socati kilamati paridevati, urattāḷiṁ kandati, sammohaṁ āpajjati.

9.6

This is called

Ayaṁ vuccati, mahārāja:

9.7

an uneducated ordinary person struck by sorrow’s poisoned arrow, who only mortifies themselves.

‘assutavā puthujjano viddho savisena sokasallena attānaṁyeva paritāpeti’.

10.1

Furthermore, an uneducated ordinary person has someone liable to sickness … death … ending … perishing.

Puna caparaṁ, mahārāja, assutavato puthujjanassa byādhidhammaṁ byādhīyati …pe… maraṇadhammaṁ mīyati … khayadhammaṁ khīyati … nassanadhammaṁ nassati.

10.2

But they don’t reflect on perishing:

So nassanadhamme naṭṭhe na iti paṭisañcikkhati:

10.3

‘It’s not just me who has someone liable to perishing who perishes. For all sentient beings have someone liable to perishing who perishes, as long as sentient beings come and go, pass away and are reborn.

‘na kho mayhevekassa nassanadhammaṁ nassati, atha kho yāvatā sattānaṁ āgati gati cuti upapatti sabbesaṁ sattānaṁ nassanadhammaṁ nassati.

10.4

If I were to sorrow and wail and lament, beating my breast and falling into confusion, just because someone liable to perishing perishes, I’d lose my appetite and my physical appearance would deteriorate. My work wouldn’t get done, my enemies would be encouraged, and my friends would be dispirited.’

Ahañceva kho pana nassanadhamme naṭṭhe soceyyaṁ kilameyyaṁ parideveyyaṁ, urattāḷiṁ kandeyyaṁ, sammohaṁ āpajjeyyaṁ, bhattampi me nacchādeyya, kāyepi dubbaṇṇiyaṁ okkameyya, kammantāpi nappavatteyyuṁ, amittāpi attamanā assu, mittāpi dummanā assū’ti.

10.5

And so, when someone liable to perishing perishes, they sorrow and wail and lament, beating their breast and falling into confusion.

So nassanadhamme naṭṭhe socati kilamati paridevati, urattāḷiṁ kandati, sammohaṁ āpajjati.

10.6

This is called

Ayaṁ vuccati, mahārāja:

10.7

an uneducated ordinary person struck by sorrow’s poisoned arrow, who only mortifies themselves.

‘assutavā puthujjano viddho savisena sokasallena attānaṁyeva paritāpeti’.

11.1

An educated noble disciple has someone liable to old age who grows old.

Sutavato ca kho, mahārāja, ariyasāvakassa jarādhammaṁ jīrati.

11.2

So they reflect on old age:

So jarādhamme jiṇṇe iti paṭisañcikkhati:

11.3

‘na kho mayhevekassa jarādhammaṁ jīrati, atha kho yāvatā sattānaṁ āgati gati cuti upapatti sabbesaṁ sattānaṁ jarādhammaṁ jīrati.

11.4

11.5

And so, when someone liable to old age grows old, they don’t sorrow and wail and lament, beating their breast and falling into confusion.

So jarādhamme jiṇṇe na socati na kilamati na paridevati, na urattāḷiṁ kandati, na sammohaṁ āpajjati.

11.6

This is called

Ayaṁ vuccati, mahārāja:

11.7

an educated noble disciple who has drawn out sorrow’s poisoned arrow, struck by which uneducated ordinary people only mortify themselves.

‘sutavā ariyasāvako abbuhi savisaṁ sokasallaṁ, yena viddho assutavā puthujjano attānaṁyeva paritāpeti.

11.8

Sorrowless, free of thorns, that noble disciple only extinguishes themselves.

Asoko visallo ariyasāvako attānaṁyeva parinibbāpeti’.

12.1

Furthermore, an educated noble disciple has someone liable to sickness … death … ending … perishing.

Puna caparaṁ, mahārāja, sutavato ariyasāvakassa byādhidhammaṁ byādhīyati …pe… maraṇadhammaṁ mīyati … khayadhammaṁ khīyati … nassanadhammaṁ nassati.

12.2

So they reflect on perishing:

So nassanadhamme naṭṭhe iti paṭisañcikkhati:

12.3

‘na kho mayhevekassa nassanadhammaṁ nassati, atha kho yāvatā sattānaṁ āgati gati cuti upapatti sabbesaṁ sattānaṁ nassanadhammaṁ nassati.

12.4

12.5

And so, when someone liable to perishing perishes, they don’t sorrow and wail and lament, beating their breast and falling into confusion.

So nassanadhamme naṭṭhe na socati na kilamati na paridevati, na urattāḷiṁ kandati, na sammohaṁ āpajjati.

12.6

This is called

Ayaṁ vuccati, mahārāja:

12.7

an educated noble disciple who has drawn out sorrow’s poisoned arrow, struck by which uneducated ordinary people only mortify themselves.

‘sutavā ariyasāvako abbuhi savisaṁ sokasallaṁ, yena viddho assutavā puthujjano attānaṁyeva paritāpeti.

12.8

Sorrowless, free of thorns, that noble disciple only extinguishes themselves.

Asoko visallo ariyasāvako attānaṁyeva parinibbāpeti’.

13.1

These are the five things that cannot be had by any ascetic or brahmin or god or Māra or Brahmā or by anyone in the world.

Imāni kho, mahārāja, pañca alabbhanīyāni ṭhānāni samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā devena vā mārena vā brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasminti.

14.1

Sorrowing and lamenting

Na socanāya paridevanāya,

14.2

doesn’t do even a little bit of good.

Atthodha labbhā api appakopi;

14.3

When they know that you’re sad,

Socantamenaṁ dukhitaṁ viditvā,

14.4

your enemies are encouraged.

Paccatthikā attamanā bhavanti.

15.1

When an astute person doesn’t waver in the face of adversity,

Yato ca kho paṇḍito āpadāsu,

15.2

as they’re able to assess what’s beneficial,

Na vedhatī atthavinicchayaññū;

15.3

their enemies suffer,

Paccatthikāssa dukhitā bhavanti,

15.4

seeing that their normal expression doesn’t change.

Disvā mukhaṁ avikāraṁ purāṇaṁ.

16.1

Chants, recitations, fine sayings,

Jappena mantena subhāsitena,

16.2

charity or traditions:

Anuppadānena paveṇiyā vā;

16.3

if by means of any such things you benefit,

Yathā yathā yattha labhetha atthaṁ,

16.4

then by all means keep doing them.

Tathā tathā tattha parakkameyya.

17.1

But if you understand that ‘this good thing

Sace pajāneyya alabbhaneyyo,

17.2

can’t be had by me or by anyone else’,

Mayāva aññena vā esa attho;

17.3

you should accept it without sorrowing, thinking:

Asocamāno adhivāsayeyya,

17.4

‘The karma is strong. What can I do now?’”

Kammaṁ daḷhaṁ kinti karomi dānī”ti.

18.1

When he said this, King Muṇḍa said to Venerable Nārada,

Evaṁ vutte, muṇḍo rājā āyasmantaṁ nāradaṁ etadavoca:

18.2

“Sir, what is the name of this exposition of the teaching?”

“ko nāmo ayaṁ, bhante, dhammapariyāyo”ti?

18.3

“Great king, this exposition of the teaching is called ‘Pulling Out Sorrow’s Arrow’.”

“Sokasallaharaṇo nāma ayaṁ, mahārāja, dhammapariyāyo”ti.

18.4

“Indeed, sir, this is the pulling out of sorrow’s arrow!

“Taggha, bhante, sokasallaharaṇo.

18.5

Hearing this exposition of the teaching, I’ve given up sorrow’s arrow.”

Imañhi me, bhante, dhammapariyāyaṁ sutvā sokasallaṁ pahīnan”ti.

19.1

Then King Muṇḍa addressed his treasurer, Piyaka,

Atha kho muṇḍo rājā piyakaṁ kosārakkhaṁ āmantesi:

19.2

“Well then, my good Piyaka, cremate Queen Bhaddā’s corpse and build a monument.

“tena hi, samma piyaka, bhaddāya deviyā sarīraṁ jhāpetha; thūpañcassā karotha.

19.3

From this day forth, I will bathe, anoint myself, eat my meals, and apply myself to my work.”

Ajjatagge dāni mayaṁ nhāyissāma ceva vilimpissāma bhattañca bhuñjissāma kammante ca payojessāmā”ti.

19.4

Dasamaṁ.

19.5

Muṇḍarājavaggo pañcamo.

20.0

Tassuddānaṁ

20.1

Ādiyo sappuriso iṭṭhā,

20.2

manāpadāyībhisandaṁ;

20.3

Sampadā ca dhanaṁ ṭhānaṁ,

20.4

kosalo nāradena cāti.

20.5

Paṭhamo paṇṇāsako samatto.