AN 7 The Book of the Sevens – Sattakanipāta > AN 7.53 Nanda’s Mother

Numbered Discourses 7.53 – Aṅguttara Nikāya 7.53

5. A Great Sacrifice – 5. Mahāyaññavagga

AN 7.53 Nanda’s Mother – Nandamātāsutta

1.1

So I have heard.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

1.2

At one time the venerables Sāriputta and Mahāmoggallāna were wandering in the Southern Hills together with a large Saṅgha of bhikkhū.

ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā ca sāriputto āyasmā ca mahāmoggallāno dakkhiṇāgirismiṁ cārikaṁ caranti mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ.

1.3

Now at that time the laywoman Veḷukaṇṭakī, Nanda’s mother, rose at the crack of dawn and recited the verses of “The Way to the Beyond”.

Tena kho pana samayena veḷukaṇḍakī nandamātā upāsikā rattiyā paccūsasamayaṁ paccuṭṭhāya pārāyanaṁ sarena bhāsati.

2.1

And at that time the great king Vessavaṇa was on his way from the north to the south on some business.

Tena kho pana samayena vessavaṇo mahārājā uttarāya disāya dakkhiṇaṁ disaṁ gacchati kenacideva karaṇīyena.

2.2

He heard Nanda’s Mother reciting, and stood waiting for her to finish.

Assosi kho vessavaṇo mahārājā nandamātāya upāsikāya pārāyanaṁ sarena bhāsantiyā, sutvā kathāpariyosānaṁ āgamayamāno aṭṭhāsi.

3.1

Then when her recital was over she fell silent.

Atha kho nandamātā upāsikā pārāyanaṁ sarena bhāsitvā tuṇhī ahosi.

3.2

Then, knowing she had finished, Vessavaṇa applauded, saying,

Atha kho vessavaṇo mahārājā nandamātāya upāsikāya kathāpariyosānaṁ viditvā abbhānumodi:

3.3

“Good, sister! Good, sister!”

“sādhu, bhagini, sādhu, bhaginī”ti.

3.4

“But who might you be, my dear?”

“Ko paneso, bhadramukhā”ti?

3.5

“Sister, I am your brother Vessavaṇa, the great king.”

“Ahaṁ te, bhagini, bhātā vessavaṇo, mahārājā”ti.

3.6

“Good, my dear! Then may my recital of the teaching be my offering to you as my guest.”

“Sādhu, bhadramukha, tena hi yo me ayaṁ dhammapariyāyo bhaṇito idaṁ te hotu ātitheyyan”ti.

3.7

‘Good, sister! And let this also be your offering to me as your guest.

“Sādhu, bhagini, etañceva me hotu ātitheyyaṁ.

3.8

Tomorrow, the bhikkhu Saṅgha headed by Sāriputta and Moggallāna will arrive at Veḷukaṇṭa before breakfast. When you’ve served the Saṅgha, please dedicate the religious donation to me.

Sveva sāriputtamoggallānappamukho bhikkhusaṅgho akatapātarāso veḷukaṇḍakaṁ āgamissati, tañca bhikkhusaṅghaṁ parivisitvā mama dakkhiṇaṁ ādiseyyāsi.

3.9

Then that will also be your offering to me as your guest.”

Etañceva me bhavissati ātitheyyan”ti.

4.1

And when the night had passed the lay woman Nanda’s Mother had a variety of delicious foods prepared in her own home.

Atha kho nandamātā upāsikā tassā rattiyā accayena sake nivesane paṇītaṁ khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ paṭiyādāpesi.

4.2

Then the Saṅgha of bhikkhū headed by Sāriputta and Moggallāna arrived at Veḷukaṇṭa.

Atha kho sāriputtamoggallānappamukho bhikkhusaṅgho akatapātarāso yena veḷukaṇḍako tadavasari.

4.3

Then Nanda’s Mother addressed a man,

Atha kho nandamātā upāsikā aññataraṁ purisaṁ āmantesi:

4.4

“Please, mister, go to the monastery and announce the time to the Saṅgha, saying:

“ehi tvaṁ, ambho purisa, ārāmaṁ gantvā bhikkhusaṅghassa kālaṁ ārocehi:

4.5

‘Sirs, it’s time. The meal is ready in the home of the lady Nanda’s Mother.’”

‘kālo, bhante, ayyāya nandamātuyā nivesane niṭṭhitaṁ bhattan’”ti.

4.6

“Yes, Ma’am,” that man replied, and he did as she said.

“Evaṁ, ayye”ti kho so puriso nandamātāya upāsikāya paṭissutvā ārāmaṁ gantvā bhikkhusaṅghassa kālaṁ ārocesi:

4.7

“kālo, bhante, ayyāya nandamātuyā nivesane niṭṭhitaṁ bhattan”ti.

4.8

And then the Saṅgha of bhikkhū headed by Sāriputta and Moggallāna robed up in the morning and, taking their bowls and robes, went to the home of Nanda’s Mother, where they sat on the seats spread out.

Atha kho sāriputtamoggallānappamukho bhikkhusaṅgho pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena nandamātāya upāsikāya nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi.

4.9

Then Nanda’s Mother served and satisfied them with her own hands with a variety of delicious foods.

Atha kho nandamātā upāsikā sāriputtamoggallānappamukhaṁ bhikkhusaṅghaṁ paṇītena khādanīyena bhojanīyena sahatthā santappesi sampavāresi.

5.1

When Sāriputta had eaten and washed his hand and bowl, Nanda’s Mother sat down to one side.

Atha kho nandamātā upāsikā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ bhuttāviṁ onītapattapāṇiṁ ekamantaṁ nisīdi.

5.2

Sāriputta said to her,

Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho nandamātaraṁ upāsikaṁ āyasmā sāriputto etadavoca:

5.3

“Nanda’s Mother, who told you that the Saṅgha of bhikkhū was about to arrive?”

“ko pana te, nandamāte, bhikkhusaṅghassa abbhāgamanaṁ ārocesī”ti?

6.1

“Sir, last night I rose at the crack of dawn and recited the verses of ‘The Way to the Beyond’, and then I fell silent.

“Idhāhaṁ, bhante, rattiyā paccūsasamayaṁ paccuṭṭhāya pārāyanaṁ sarena bhāsitvā tuṇhī ahosiṁ.

6.2

Then the great king Vessavaṇa, knowing I had finished, applauded me,

Atha kho, bhante, vessavaṇo mahārājā mama kathāpariyosānaṁ viditvā abbhānumodi:

6.3

‘Good, sister! Good, sister!’

‘sādhu, bhagini, sādhu, bhaginī’ti.

6.4

I asked: ‘But who might you be, my dear?’

‘Ko paneso, bhadramukhā’ti?

6.5

‘Sister, I am your brother Vessavaṇa, the great king.’

‘Ahaṁ te, bhagini, bhātā vessavaṇo, mahārājā’ti.

6.6

‘Good, my dear! Then may my recital of the teaching be my offering to you as my guest.’

‘Sādhu, bhadramukha, tena hi yo me ayaṁ dhammapariyāyo bhaṇito idaṁ te hotu ātitheyyan’ti.

6.7

‘Good, sister! And let this also be your offering to me as your guest.

‘Sādhu, bhagini, etañceva me hotu ātitheyyaṁ.

6.8

Tomorrow, the bhikkhu Saṅgha headed by Sāriputta and Moggallāna will arrive at Veḷukaṇṭa before breakfast. When you’ve served the Saṅgha, please dedicate the religious donation to me.

Sveva sāriputtamoggallānappamukho bhikkhusaṅgho akatapātarāso veḷukaṇḍakaṁ āgamissati, tañca bhikkhusaṅghaṁ parivisitvā mama dakkhiṇaṁ ādiseyyāsi.

6.9

Then that will also be your offering to me as your guest.’

Etañceva me bhavissati ātitheyyan’ti.

6.10

And so, sir, may the merit and the growth of merit in this gift be for the happiness of the great king Vessavaṇa.”

Yadidaṁ, bhante, dāne puññañca puññamahī ca taṁ vessavaṇassa mahārājassa sukhāya hotū”ti.

7.1

“It’s incredible, Nanda’s Mother, it’s amazing

“Acchariyaṁ, nandamāte, abbhutaṁ, nandamāte.

7.2

that you converse face to face with a mighty and illustrious god like the great king Vessavaṇa.”

Yatra hi nāma vessavaṇena mahārājena evaṁmahiddhikena evaṁmahesakkhena devaputtena sammukhā sallapissasī”ti.

8.1

“Sir, this is not my only incredible and amazing quality;

“Na kho me, bhante, eseva acchariyo abbhuto dhammo.

8.2

there is another.

Atthi me aññopi acchariyo abbhuto dhammo.

8.3

I had an only son called Nanda who I loved dearly.

Idha me, bhante, nando nāma ekaputtako piyo manāpo.

8.4

The rulers forcibly abducted him on some pretext and had him executed.

Taṁ rājāno kismiñcideva pakaraṇe okassa pasayha jīvitā voropesuṁ.

8.5

But I can’t recall getting upset when my boy was under arrest or being arrested, imprisoned or being put in prison, killed or being killed.”

Tasmiṁ kho panāhaṁ, bhante, dārake gahite vā gayhamāne vā vadhe vā vajjhamāne vā hate vā haññamāne vā nābhijānāmi cittassa aññathattan”ti.

8.6

“It’s incredible, Nanda’s Mother, it’s amazing

“Acchariyaṁ, nandamāte, abbhutaṁ nandamāte.

8.7

that you purify even the arising of a thought.”

Yatra hi nāma cittuppādampi parisodhessasī”ti.

9.1

“Sir, this is not my only incredible and amazing quality;

“Na kho me, bhante, eseva acchariyo abbhuto dhammo.

9.2

there is another.

Atthi me aññopi acchariyo abbhuto dhammo.

9.3

When my husband passed away he was reborn in one of the realms of spirits.

Idha me, bhante, sāmiko kālaṅkato aññataraṁ yakkhayoniṁ upapanno.

9.4

He revealed to me his previous life-form.

So me teneva purimena attabhāvena uddassesi.

9.5

But I can’t recall getting upset on that account.”

Na kho panāhaṁ, bhante, abhijānāmi tatonidānaṁ cittassa aññathattan”ti.

9.6

“It’s incredible, Nanda’s Mother, it’s amazing

“Acchariyaṁ, nandamāte, abbhutaṁ, nandamāte.

9.7

that you purify even the arising of a thought.”

Yatra hi nāma cittuppādampi parisodhessasī”ti.

10.1

“Sir, this is not my only incredible and amazing quality;

“Na kho me, bhante, eseva acchariyo abbhuto dhammo.

10.2

there is another.

Atthi me aññopi acchariyo abbhuto dhammo.

10.3

Ever since we were both young, and I was given in marriage to my husband, I can’t recall betraying him even in thought, still less in deed.”

Yatohaṁ, bhante, sāmikassa daharasseva daharā ānītā nābhijānāmi sāmikaṁ manasāpi aticaritā, kuto pana kāyenā”ti.

10.4

“It’s incredible, Nanda’s Mother, it’s amazing

“Acchariyaṁ, nandamāte, abbhutaṁ, nandamāte.

10.5

that you purify even the arising of a thought.”

Yatra hi nāma cittuppādampi parisodhessasī”ti.

11.1

“Sir, this is not my only incredible and amazing quality;

“Na kho me, bhante, eseva acchariyo abbhuto dhammo.

11.2

there is another.

Atthi me aññopi acchariyo abbhuto dhammo.

11.3

Ever since I declared myself a lay follower, I can’t recall deliberately breaking any precept.”

Yadāhaṁ, bhante, upāsikā paṭidesitā nābhijānāmi kiñci sikkhāpadaṁ sañcicca vītikkamitā”ti.

11.4

“It’s incredible, Nanda’s Mother, it’s amazing!”

“Acchariyaṁ, nandamāte, abbhutaṁ, nandamāte”ti.

12.1

“Sir, this is not my only incredible and amazing quality;

“Na kho me, bhante, eseva acchariyo abbhuto dhammo.

12.2

there is another.

Atthi me aññopi acchariyo abbhuto dhammo.

12.3

Whenever I want, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, I enter and remain in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Idhāhaṁ, bhante, yāvade ākaṅkhāmi vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāmi.

12.4

As the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, I enter and remain in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of samādhi, with internal clarity and confidence, and unified mind, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāmi.

12.5

And with the fading away of rapture, I enter and remain in the third absorption, where I meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, personally experiencing the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’

Pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhikā ca viharāmi satā ca sampajānā sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedemi, yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti: ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāmi.

12.6

With the giving up of pleasure and pain, and the ending of former happiness and sadness, I enter and remain in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.”

Sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā adukkhamasukhaṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāmī”ti.

12.7

“It’s incredible, Nanda’s Mother, it’s amazing!”

“Acchariyaṁ, nandamāte, abbhutaṁ, nandamāte”ti.

13.1

“Sir, this is not my only incredible and amazing quality;

“Na kho me, bhante, eseva acchariyo abbhuto dhammo.

13.2

there is another.

Atthi me aññopi acchariyo abbhuto dhammo.

13.3

Of the five lower fetters taught by the Buddha, I don’t see any that I haven’t given up.”

Yānimāni, bhante, bhagavatā desitāni pañcorambhāgiyāni saṁyojanāni nāhaṁ tesaṁ kiñci attani appahīnaṁ samanupassāmī”ti.

13.4

“It’s incredible, Nanda’s Mother, it’s amazing!”

“Acchariyaṁ, nandamāte, abbhutaṁ, nandamāte”ti.

14.1

Then Venerable Sāriputta educated, encouraged, fired up, and inspired Nanda’s Mother with a Dhamma talk, after which he got up from his seat and left.

Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto nandamātaraṁ upāsikaṁ dhammiyā kathāya sandassetvā samādapetvā samuttejetvā sampahaṁsetvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkāmīti.

14.2

Dasamaṁ.

14.3

Mahāyaññavaggo pañcamo.

15.0

Tassuddānaṁ

15.1

Ṭhiti ca parikkhāraṁ dve,

15.2

aggī saññā ca dve parā;

15.3

Methunā saṁyogo dānaṁ,

15.4

nandamātena te dasāti.

15.5

Paṇṇāsako samatto.