AN 5 The Book of the Fives – Pañcakanipāta > AN 5.139 Cannot Endure

Numbered Discourses 5.139 – Aṅguttara Nikāya 5.139

14. Kings – 14. Rājavagga

AN 5.139 Cannot Endure – Akkhamasutta

1.1

“Bhikkhū, a royal bull elephant with five factors is not worthy of a king, not fit to serve a king, and is not considered a factor of kingship.

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato rañño nāgo na rājāraho hoti na rājabhoggo, na rañño aṅgaṁtveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati.

1.2

What five?

Katamehi pañcahi?

1.3

It’s when a royal bull elephant can’t endure sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches.

Idha, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo akkhamo hoti rūpānaṁ, akkhamo saddānaṁ, akkhamo gandhānaṁ, akkhamo rasānaṁ, akkhamo phoṭṭhabbānaṁ.

2.1

And how is it that a royal bull elephant can’t endure sights?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo akkhamo hoti rūpānaṁ?

2.2

It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle falters and founders at the sight of a division of elephants, of cavalry, of chariots, or of infantry. It doesn’t stay firm, and fails to plunge into battle.

Idha, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo saṅgāmagato hatthikāyaṁ vā disvā assakāyaṁ vā disvā rathakāyaṁ vā disvā pattikāyaṁ vā disvā saṁsīdati visīdati, na santhambhati na sakkoti saṅgāmaṁ otarituṁ.

2.3

That’s how a royal bull elephant can’t endure sights.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo akkhamo hoti rūpānaṁ.

3.1

And how is it that a royal bull elephant can’t endure sounds?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo akkhamo hoti saddānaṁ?

3.2

It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle falters and founders at the sound of a division of elephants, of cavalry, of chariots, or of infantry, or the thunder of the drums, kettledrums, horns, and cymbals. It doesn’t stay firm, and fails to plunge into battle.

Idha, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo saṅgāmagato hatthisaddaṁ vā sutvā assasaddaṁ vā sutvā rathasaddaṁ vā sutvā pattisaddaṁ vā sutvā bheripaṇavasaṅkhatiṇavaninnādasaddaṁ vā sutvā saṁsīdati visīdati, na santhambhati na sakkoti saṅgāmaṁ otarituṁ.

3.3

That’s how a royal bull elephant can’t endure sounds.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo akkhamo hoti saddānaṁ.

4.1

And how is it that a royal bull elephant can’t endure smells?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo akkhamo hoti gandhānaṁ?

4.2

It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle falters and founders when it smells the odor of the feces and urine of battle-hardened, pedigree royal bull elephants. It doesn’t stay firm, and fails to plunge into battle.

Idha, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo saṅgāmagato ye te rañño nāgā abhijātā saṅgāmāvacarā tesaṁ muttakarīsassa gandhaṁ ghāyitvā saṁsīdati visīdati, na santhambhati na sakkoti saṅgāmaṁ otarituṁ.

4.3

That’s how a royal bull elephant can’t endure smells.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo akkhamo hoti gandhānaṁ.

5.1

And how is it that a royal bull elephant can’t endure tastes?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo akkhamo hoti rasānaṁ?

5.2

It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle falters and founders when it misses a meal of grass and water, or it misses two, three, four, or five meals. It doesn’t stay firm, and fails to plunge into battle.

Idha, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo saṅgāmagato ekissā vā tiṇodakadattiyā vimānito dvīhi vā tīhi vā catūhi vā pañcahi vā tiṇodakadattīhi vimānito saṁsīdati visīdati, na santhambhati na sakkoti saṅgāmaṁ otarituṁ.

5.3

That’s how a royal bull elephant can’t endure tastes.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo akkhamo hoti rasānaṁ.

6.1

And how is it that a royal bull elephant can’t endure touches?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo akkhamo hoti phoṭṭhabbānaṁ?

6.2

It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle falters and founders when struck by a swift arrow, or by two, three, four, or five swift arrows. It doesn’t stay firm, and fails to plunge into battle.

Idha, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo saṅgāmagato ekena vā saravegena viddho, dvīhi vā tīhi vā catūhi vā pañcahi vā saravegehi viddho saṁsīdati visīdati, na santhambhati na sakkoti saṅgāmaṁ otarituṁ.

6.3

That’s how a royal bull elephant can’t endure touches.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo akkhamo hoti phoṭṭhabbānaṁ.

7.1

A royal bull elephant with these five factors is not worthy of a king, not fit to serve a king, and is not considered a factor of kingship.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi aṅgehi samannāgato rañño nāgo na rājāraho hoti na rājabhoggo na rañño aṅgaṁtveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati.

8.1

In the same way, a bhikkhu with five qualities is not worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, not worthy of hospitality, not worthy of a religious donation, not worthy of veneration with joined palms, and is not the supreme field of merit for the world.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi aṅgehi samannāgato bhikkhu na āhuneyyo hoti na pāhuneyyo na dakkhiṇeyyo na añjalikaraṇīyo na anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassa.

8.2

What five?

Katamehi pañcahi?

8.3

It’s when a bhikkhu can’t endure sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu akkhamo hoti rūpānaṁ, akkhamo saddānaṁ, akkhamo gandhānaṁ, akkhamo rasānaṁ, akkhamo phoṭṭhabbānaṁ.

9.1

And how is it that a bhikkhu can’t endure sights?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu akkhamo hoti rūpānaṁ?

9.2

It’s when a bhikkhu, seeing a sight with their eyes, is aroused by a desirable sight, so is not able to still the mind.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cakkhunā rūpaṁ disvā rajanīye rūpe sārajjati, na sakkoti cittaṁ samādahituṁ.

9.3

That’s how a bhikkhu can’t endure sights.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu akkhamo hoti rūpānaṁ.

10.1

And how is it that a bhikkhu can’t endure sounds?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu akkhamo hoti saddānaṁ?

10.2

It’s when a bhikkhu, hearing a sound with their ears, is aroused by a desirable sound, so is not able to still the mind.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sotena saddaṁ sutvā rajanīye sadde sārajjati, na sakkoti cittaṁ samādahituṁ.

10.3

That’s how a bhikkhu can’t endure sounds.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu akkhamo hoti saddānaṁ.

11.1

And how is it that a bhikkhu can’t endure smells?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu akkhamo hoti gandhānaṁ?

11.2

It’s when a bhikkhu, smelling an odor with their nose, is aroused by a desirable smell, so is not able to still the mind.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ghānena gandhaṁ ghāyitvā rajanīye gandhe sārajjati, na sakkoti cittaṁ samādahituṁ.

11.3

That’s how a bhikkhu can’t endure smells.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu akkhamo hoti gandhānaṁ.

12.1

And how is it that a bhikkhu can’t endure tastes?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu akkhamo hoti rasānaṁ?

12.2

It’s when a bhikkhu, tasting a flavor with their tongue, is aroused by desirable tastes, so is not able to still the mind.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu jivhāya rasaṁ sāyitvā rajanīye rase sārajjati, na sakkoti cittaṁ samādahituṁ.

12.3

That’s how a bhikkhu can’t endure tastes.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu akkhamo hoti rasānaṁ.

13.1

And how is it that a bhikkhu can’t endure touches?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu akkhamo hoti phoṭṭhabbānaṁ?

13.2

It’s when a bhikkhu, feeling a touch with their body, is aroused by a desirable touch, so is not able to still the mind.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāyena phoṭṭhabbaṁ phusitvā rajanīye phoṭṭhabbe sārajjati, na sakkoti cittaṁ samādahituṁ.

13.3

That’s how a bhikkhu can’t endure touches.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu akkhamo hoti phoṭṭhabbānaṁ.

14.1

A bhikkhu with these five qualities is not worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, not worthy of hospitality, not worthy of a religious donation, not worthy of veneration with joined palms, and is not the supreme field of merit for the world.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu na āhuneyyo hoti na pāhuneyyo na dakkhiṇeyyo na añjalikaraṇīyo na anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassa.

15.1

A royal bull elephant with five factors is worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and is considered a factor of kingship.

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato rañño nāgo rājāraho hoti rājabhoggo, rañño aṅgaṁtveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati.

15.2

What five?

Katamehi pañcahi?

15.3

It’s when a royal bull elephant can endure sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches.

Idha, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti rūpānaṁ, khamo saddānaṁ, khamo gandhānaṁ, khamo rasānaṁ, khamo phoṭṭhabbānaṁ.

16.1

And how is it that a royal bull elephant can endure sights?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti rūpānaṁ?

16.2

It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle does not falter or founder at the sight of a division of elephants, of cavalry, of chariots, or of infantry. It stays firm, and plunges into battle.

Idha, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo saṅgāmagato hatthikāyaṁ vā disvā assakāyaṁ vā disvā rathakāyaṁ vā disvā pattikāyaṁ vā disvā na saṁsīdati na visīdati, santhambhati sakkoti saṅgāmaṁ otarituṁ.

16.3

That’s how a royal bull elephant can endure sights.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti rūpānaṁ.

17.1

And how is it that a royal bull elephant can endure sounds?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti saddānaṁ?

17.2

It’s when a royal bull elephant does not falter or founder at the sound of a division of elephants, of cavalry, of chariots, or of infantry, or the thunder of the drums, kettledrums, horns, and cymbals. It stays firm, and plunges into battle.

Idha, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo saṅgāmagato hatthisaddaṁ vā sutvā assasaddaṁ vā sutvā rathasaddaṁ vā sutvā pattisaddaṁ vā sutvā bheripaṇavasaṅkhatiṇavaninnādasaddaṁ vā sutvā na saṁsīdati na visīdati, santhambhati sakkoti saṅgāmaṁ otarituṁ.

17.3

That’s how a royal bull elephant can endure sounds.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti saddānaṁ.

18.1

And how is it that a royal bull elephant can endure smells?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti gandhānaṁ?

18.2

It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle does not falter or founder when it smells the odor of the feces and urine of battle-hardened, pedigree royal bull elephants. It stays firm, and plunges into battle.

Idha, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo saṅgāmagato ye te rañño nāgā abhijātā saṅgāmāvacarā tesaṁ muttakarīsassa gandhaṁ ghāyitvā na saṁsīdati na visīdati, santhambhati sakkoti saṅgāmaṁ otarituṁ.

18.3

That’s how a royal bull elephant can endure smells.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti gandhānaṁ.

19.1

And how is it that a royal bull elephant can endure tastes?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti rasānaṁ?

19.2

It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle does not falter or founder when it misses a meal of grass and water, or it misses two, three, four, or five meals. It stays firm, and plunges into battle.

Idha, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo saṅgāmagato ekissā vā tiṇodakadattiyā vimānito dvīhi vā tīhi vā catūhi vā pañcahi vā tiṇodakadattīhi vimānito na saṁsīdati na visīdati, santhambhati sakkoti saṅgāmaṁ otarituṁ.

19.3

That’s how a royal bull elephant can endure tastes.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti rasānaṁ.

20.1

And how is it that a royal bull elephant can endure touches?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti phoṭṭhabbānaṁ?

20.2

It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle does not falter or founder when struck by a swift arrow, or by two, three, four, or five swift arrows. It stays firm, and plunges into battle.

Idha, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo saṅgāmagato ekena vā saravegena viddho, dvīhi vā tīhi vā catūhi vā pañcahi vā saravegehi viddho na saṁsīdati na visīdati, santhambhati sakkoti saṅgāmaṁ otarituṁ.

20.3

That’s how a royal bull elephant can endure touches.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti phoṭṭhabbānaṁ.

21.1

A royal bull elephant with these five factors is worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and is considered a factor of kingship.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi aṅgehi samannāgato rañño nāgo rājāraho hoti rājabhoggo, rañño aṅgaṁtveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati.

22.1

In the same way, a bhikkhu with five qualities is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of veneration with joined palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu āhuneyyo hoti pāhuneyyo dakkhiṇeyyo añjalikaraṇīyo anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassa.

22.2

What five?

Katamehi pañcahi?

22.3

It’s when a bhikkhu can endure sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti rūpānaṁ, khamo saddānaṁ, khamo gandhānaṁ, khamo rasānaṁ, khamo phoṭṭhabbānaṁ.

23.1

And how is it that a bhikkhu can endure sights?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti rūpānaṁ?

23.2

It’s when a bhikkhu, seeing a sight with their eyes, is not aroused by a desirable sight, so is able to still the mind.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cakkhunā rūpaṁ disvā rajanīye rūpe na sārajjati, sakkoti cittaṁ samādahituṁ.

23.3

That’s how a bhikkhu can endure sights.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti rūpānaṁ.

24.1

And how is it that a bhikkhu can endure sounds?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti saddānaṁ?

24.2

It’s when a bhikkhu, hearing a sound with their ears, is not aroused by desirable sounds, so is able to still the mind.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sotena saddaṁ sutvā rajanīye sadde na sārajjati, sakkoti cittaṁ samādahituṁ.

24.3

That’s how a bhikkhu can endure sounds.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti saddānaṁ.

25.1

And how is it that a bhikkhu can endure smells?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti gandhānaṁ.

25.2

It’s when a bhikkhu, smelling an odor with their nose, is not aroused by a desirable smell, so is able to still the mind.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ghānena gandhaṁ ghāyitvā rajanīye gandhe na sārajjati, sakkoti cittaṁ samādahituṁ.

25.3

That’s how a bhikkhu can endure smells.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti gandhānaṁ.

26.1

And how is it that a bhikkhu can endure tastes?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti rasānaṁ?

26.2

It’s when a bhikkhu, tasting a flavor with their tongue, is not aroused by desirable tastes, so is able to still the mind.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu jivhāya rasaṁ sāyitvā rajanīye rase na sārajjati, sakkoti cittaṁ samādahituṁ.

26.3

That’s how a bhikkhu can endure tastes.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti rasānaṁ.

27.1

And how is it that a bhikkhu can endure touches?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti phoṭṭhabbānaṁ?

27.2

It’s when a bhikkhu, feeling a touch with their body, is not aroused by a desirable touch, so is able to still the mind.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāyena phoṭṭhabbaṁ phusitvā rajanīye phoṭṭhabbe na sārajjati, sakkoti cittaṁ samādahituṁ.

27.3

That’s how a bhikkhu can endure touches.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti phoṭṭhabbānaṁ.

28.1

A bhikkhu with these five qualities is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of veneration with joined palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world.”

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu āhuneyyo hoti pāhuneyyo dakkhiṇeyyo añjalikaraṇīyo anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassā”ti.

28.2

Navamaṁ.