|
<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation: The Great Chapter – Mahāvagga DN 14–23 > DN 17 King Mahāsudassana – Mahāsudassanasutta |
Long Discourses 17 – Dīgha Nikāya 17
DN 17 King Mahāsudassana – Mahāsudassanasutta
[Summary]
So I have heard.
Evaṁ me sutaṁ—
At one time the Buddha was staying between a pair of sal trees in the sal forest of the Mallas at Upavattana near Kusinārā at the time of his final extinguishment.
ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kusinārāyaṁ viharati upavattane mallānaṁ sālavane antarena yamakasālānaṁ parinibbānasamaye.
Then Venerable Ānanda went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,
Atha kho āyasmā ānando yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā ānando bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
“Sir, please don’t become fully extinguished in this little hamlet, this jungle hamlet, this branch hamlet.
“mā, bhante, bhagavā imasmiṁ khuddakanagarake ujjaṅgalanagarake sākhānagarake parinibbāyi.
There are other great cities such as
Santi, bhante, aññāni mahānagarāni.
Campā, Rājagaha, Sāvatthī, Sāketa, Kosambī, and Benares.
Seyyathidaṁ—campā, rājagahaṁ, sāvatthi, sāketaṁ, kosambī, bārāṇasī;
Let the Buddha become fully extinguished there.
ettha bhagavā parinibbāyatu.
There are many well-to-do aristocrats, brahmins, and householders there who are devoted to the Buddha. They will perform the rites of venerating the Realized One’s corpse.”
Ettha bahū khattiyamahāsālā brāhmaṇamahāsālā gahapatimahāsālā tathāgate abhippasannā, te tathāgatassa sarīrapūjaṁ karissantī”ti.
“Don’t say that, Ānanda! Don’t say that
“Mā hevaṁ, ānanda, avaca; mā hevaṁ, ānanda, avaca:
this is a little hamlet, a jungle hamlet, a branch hamlet.
‘khuddakanagarakaṁ ujjaṅgalanagarakaṁ sākhānagarakan’ti.
1. The Capital City of Kusāvatī
1. Kusāvatīrājadhānī
Once upon a time there was a king named Mahāsudassana whose dominion extended to all four sides, and who achieved stability in the country.
Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano nāma ahosi khattiyo muddhāvasitto cāturanto vijitāvī janapadatthāvariyappatto.
His capital was this Kusinārā, which at the time was named Kusāvatī.
Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa ayaṁ kusinārā kusāvatī nāma rājadhānī ahosi.
It stretched for twelve leagues from east to west, and seven leagues from north to south.
Puratthimena ca pacchimena ca dvādasayojanāni āyāmena, uttarena ca dakkhiṇena ca sattayojanāni vitthārena.
The royal capital of Kusāvatī was successful, prosperous, populous, full of people, with plenty of food.
Kusāvatī, ānanda, rājadhānī iddhā ceva ahosi phītā ca bahujanā ca ākiṇṇamanussā ca subhikkhā ca.
It was just like Āḷakamandā, the royal capital of the gods, which is successful, prosperous, populous, full of spirits, with plenty of food.
Seyyathāpi, ānanda, devānaṁ āḷakamandā nāma rājadhānī iddhā ceva hoti phītā ca bahujanā ca ākiṇṇayakkhā ca subhikkhā ca;
evameva kho, ānanda, kusāvatī rājadhānī iddhā ceva ahosi phītā ca bahujanā ca ākiṇṇamanussā ca subhikkhā ca.
Kusāvatī was never free of ten sounds by day or night, namely:
Kusāvatī, ānanda, rājadhānī dasahi saddehi avivittā ahosi divā ceva rattiñca, seyyathidaṁ—
the sound of elephants, horses, chariots, drums, clay drums, arched harps, singing, horns, gongs, and handbells; and the cry, ‘Eat, drink, be merry!’ as the tenth.
hatthisaddena assasaddena rathasaddena bherisaddena mudiṅgasaddena vīṇāsaddena gītasaddena saṅkhasaddena sammasaddena pāṇitāḷasaddena ‘asnātha pivatha khādathā’ti dasamena saddena.
Kusāvatī was encircled by seven ramparts:
Kusāvatī, ānanda, rājadhānī sattahi pākārehi parikkhittā ahosi.
one made of gold, one made of silver, one made of beryl, one made of crystal, one made of ruby, one made of emerald, and one made of all precious things.
Eko pākāro sovaṇṇamayo, eko rūpiyamayo, eko veḷuriyamayo, eko phalikamayo, eko lohitaṅkamayo, eko masāragallamayo, eko sabbaratanamayo.
It had four gates,
Kusāvatiyā, ānanda, rājadhāniyā catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ dvārāni ahesuṁ.
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.
Ekaṁ dvāraṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ.
At each gate there were seven pillars, three fathoms deep and four fathoms high,
Ekekasmiṁ dvāre satta satta esikā nikhātā ahesuṁ tiporisaṅgā tiporisanikhātā dvādasaporisā ubbedhena.
made of gold, silver, beryl, crystal, ruby, emerald, and all precious things.
Ekā esikā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā, ekā lohitaṅkamayā, ekā masāragallamayā, ekā sabbaratanamayā.
It was surrounded by seven rows of palm trees,
Kusāvatī, ānanda, rājadhānī sattahi tālapantīhi parikkhittā ahosi.
made of gold, silver, beryl, crystal, ruby, emerald, and all precious things.
Ekā tālapanti sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā, ekā lohitaṅkamayā, ekā masāragallamayā, ekā sabbaratanamayā.
The golden palms had trunks of gold, and leaves and fruits of silver.
Sovaṇṇamayassa tālassa sovaṇṇamayo khandho ahosi, rūpiyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The silver palms had trunks of silver, and leaves and fruits of gold.
Rūpiyamayassa tālassa rūpiyamayo khandho ahosi, sovaṇṇamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The beryl palms had trunks of beryl, and leaves and fruits of crystal.
Veḷuriyamayassa tālassa veḷuriyamayo khandho ahosi, phalikamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The crystal palms had trunks of crystal, and leaves and fruits of beryl.
Phalikamayassa tālassa phalikamayo khandho ahosi, veḷuriyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The ruby palms had trunks of ruby, and leaves and fruits of emerald.
Lohitaṅkamayassa tālassa lohitaṅkamayo khandho ahosi, masāragallamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The emerald palms had trunks of emerald, and leaves and fruits of ruby.
Masāragallamayassa tālassa masāragallamayo khandho ahosi, lohitaṅkamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The palms of all precious things had trunks of all precious things, and leaves and fruits of all precious things.
Sabbaratanamayassa tālassa sabbaratanamayo khandho ahosi, sabbaratanamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
When those rows of palm trees were blown by the wind they sounded graceful, tantalizing, sensuous, lovely, and intoxicating,
Tāsaṁ kho panānanda, tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca.
like a quintet made up of skilled musicians who had practiced well and kept excellent rhythm.
Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pañcaṅgikassa tūriyassa suvinītassa suppaṭitāḷitassa sukusalehi samannāhatassa saddo hoti vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca;
evameva kho, ānanda, tāsaṁ tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca.
And any addicts, carousers, or drunkards in Kusāvatī at that time were entertained by that sound.
Ye kho panānanda, tena samayena kusāvatiyā rājadhāniyā dhuttā ahesuṁ soṇḍā pipāsā, te tāsaṁ tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddena paricāresuṁ.
2. The Seven Treasures
2. Sattaratanasamannāgata
2.1. The Wheel-Treasure
2.1. Cakkaratana
King Mahāsudassana possessed seven treasures and four blessings.
Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano sattahi ratanehi samannāgato ahosi catūhi ca iddhīhi.
What seven?
Katamehi sattahi?
On a fifteenth day sabbath, King Mahāsudassana had bathed his head and gone upstairs in the royal longhouse to observe the sabbath.
Idhānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa tadahuposathe pannarase sīsaṁnhātassa uposathikassa uparipāsādavaragatassa
And the heavenly wheel-treasure appeared to him, with a thousand spokes, with rim and hub, complete in every detail.
dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pāturahosi sahassāraṁ sanemikaṁ sanābhikaṁ sabbākāraparipūraṁ.
Seeing this, the king thought,
Disvā rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
‘I have heard that when the heavenly wheel-treasure appears to a king in this way, he becomes a wheel-turning monarch.
‘sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ: “yassa rañño khattiyassa muddhāvasittassa tadahuposathe pannarase sīsaṁnhātassa uposathikassa uparipāsādavaragatassa dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pātubhavati sahassāraṁ sanemikaṁ sanābhikaṁ sabbākāraparipūraṁ, so hoti rājā cakkavattī”ti.
Am I then a wheel-turning monarch?’
Assaṁ nu kho ahaṁ rājā cakkavattī’ti.
Then King Mahāsudassana, rising from his seat and arranging his robe over one shoulder, took a ceremonial vase in his left hand and besprinkled the wheel-treasure with his right hand, saying:
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano uṭṭhāyāsanā ekaṁsaṁ uttarāsaṅgaṁ karitvā vāmena hatthena suvaṇṇabhiṅkāraṁ gahetvā dakkhiṇena hatthena cakkaratanaṁ abbhukkiri:
‘Roll forth, O wheel-treasure! Triumph, O wheel-treasure!’
‘pavattatu bhavaṁ cakkaratanaṁ, abhivijinātu bhavaṁ cakkaratanan’ti.
Then the wheel-treasure rolled towards the east. And the king followed it together with his army of four divisions. In whatever place the wheel-treasure stood still, there the king came to stay together with his army.
Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, cakkaratanaṁ puratthimaṁ disaṁ pavatti, anvadeva rājā mahāsudassano saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya, yasmiṁ kho panānanda, padese cakkaratanaṁ patiṭṭhāsi, tattha rājā mahāsudassano vāsaṁ upagacchi saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya.
And any opposing rulers of the eastern quarter came to him and said,
Ye kho panānanda, puratthimāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu:
‘Come, great king! Welcome, great king! We are yours, great king, instruct us.’
‘ehi kho, mahārāja, svāgataṁ te, mahārāja, sakaṁ te, mahārāja, anusāsa, mahārājā’ti.
The king said,
Rājā mahāsudassano evamāha:
‘Do not kill living creatures. Do not steal. Do not commit sexual misconduct. Do not lie. Do not drink alcohol. Maintain the current level of taxation.’
‘pāṇo na hantabbo, adinnaṁ na ādātabbaṁ, kāmesu micchā na caritabbā, musā na bhaṇitabbā, majjaṁ na pātabbaṁ, yathābhuttañca bhuñjathā’ti.
And so the opposing rulers of the eastern quarter became his vassals.
Ye kho panānanda, puratthimāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rañño mahāsudassanassa anuyantā ahesuṁ.
Then the wheel-treasure, having plunged into the eastern ocean and emerged again, rolled towards the south. …
Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, cakkaratanaṁ puratthimaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā dakkhiṇaṁ disaṁ pavatti …pe…
Having plunged into the southern ocean and emerged again, it rolled towards the west. …
dakkhiṇaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā pacchimaṁ disaṁ pavatti …pe…
Having plunged into the western ocean and emerged again, it rolled towards the north, followed by the king together with his army of four divisions.
pacchimaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā uttaraṁ disaṁ pavatti, anvadeva rājā mahāsudassano saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya.
In whatever place the wheel-treasure stood still, there the king came to stay together with his army.
Yasmiṁ kho panānanda, padese cakkaratanaṁ patiṭṭhāsi, tattha rājā mahāsudassano vāsaṁ upagacchi saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya.
And any opposing rulers of the northern quarter came to him and said,
Ye kho panānanda, uttarāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu:
‘Come, great king! Welcome, great king! We are yours, great king, instruct us.’
‘ehi kho, mahārāja, svāgataṁ te, mahārāja, sakaṁ te, mahārāja, anusāsa, mahārājā’ti.
The king said,
Rājā mahāsudassano evamāha:
‘Do not kill living creatures. Do not steal. Do not commit sexual misconduct. Do not lie. Do not drink alcohol. Maintain the current level of taxation.’
‘pāṇo na hantabbo, adinnaṁ na ādātabbaṁ, kāmesu micchā na caritabbā, musā na bhaṇitabbā, majjaṁ na pātabbaṁ, yathābhuttañca bhuñjathā’ti.
And so the opposing rulers of the northern quarter became his vassals.
Ye kho panānanda, uttarāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rañño mahāsudassanassa anuyantā ahesuṁ.
And then the wheel-treasure, having triumphed over this land surrounded by ocean, returned to the royal capital of Kusāvatī. There it stood still by the gate to Mahāsudassana’s royal compound at the High Court as if fixed to an axle, illuminating the royal compound.
Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, cakkaratanaṁ samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ abhivijinitvā kusāvatiṁ rājadhāniṁ paccāgantvā rañño mahāsudassanassa antepuradvāre atthakaraṇapamukhe akkhāhataṁ maññe aṭṭhāsi rañño mahāsudassanassa antepuraṁ upasobhayamānaṁ.
Such is the wheel-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pāturahosi.
2.2. The Elephant-Treasure
2.2. Hatthiratana
Next, the elephant-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa hatthiratanaṁ pāturahosi
It was an all-white sky-walker with psychic power, touching the ground in seven places, a king of elephants named Sabbath.
sabbaseto sattappatiṭṭho iddhimā vehāsaṅgamo uposatho nāma nāgarājā.
Seeing him, the king was impressed,
Taṁ disvā rañño mahāsudassanassa cittaṁ pasīdi:
‘This would truly be a fine elephant vehicle, if he would submit to taming.’
‘bhaddakaṁ vata bho hatthiyānaṁ, sace damathaṁ upeyyā’ti.
Then the elephant-treasure submitted to taming, as if he was a fine thoroughbred elephant that had been tamed for a long time.
Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, hatthiratanaṁ—seyyathāpi nāma gandhahatthājāniyo dīgharattaṁ suparidanto; evameva damathaṁ upagacchi.
Once it so happened that King Mahāsudassana, testing that same elephant-treasure, mounted him in the morning and traversed the land surrounded by ocean before returning to the royal capital in time for breakfast.
Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tameva hatthiratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno pubbaṇhasamayaṁ abhiruhitvā samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ anuyāyitvā kusāvatiṁ rājadhāniṁ paccāgantvā pātarāsamakāsi.
Such is the elephant-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ hatthiratanaṁ pāturahosi.
2.3. The Horse-Treasure
2.3. Assaratana
Next, the horse-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa assaratanaṁ pāturahosi
It was an all-white sky-walker with psychic power, with head of black and mane like woven reeds, a royal steed named Thundercloud.
sabbaseto kāḷasīso muñjakeso iddhimā vehāsaṅgamo valāhako nāma assarājā.
Seeing him, the king was impressed,
Taṁ disvā rañño mahāsudassanassa cittaṁ pasīdi:
‘This would truly be a fine horse vehicle, if he would submit to taming.’
‘bhaddakaṁ vata bho assayānaṁ sace damathaṁ upeyyā’ti.
Then the horse-treasure submitted to taming, as if he was a fine thoroughbred horse that had been tamed for a long time.
Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, assaratanaṁ seyyathāpi nāma bhaddo assājāniyo dīgharattaṁ suparidanto; evameva damathaṁ upagacchi.
Once it so happened that King Mahāsudassana, testing that same horse-treasure, mounted him in the morning and traversed the land surrounded by ocean before returning to the royal capital in time for breakfast.
Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tameva assaratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno pubbaṇhasamayaṁ abhiruhitvā samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ anuyāyitvā kusāvatiṁ rājadhāniṁ paccāgantvā pātarāsamakāsi.
Such is the horse-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ assaratanaṁ pāturahosi.
2.4. The Jewel-Treasure
2.4. Maṇiratana
Next, the jewel-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa maṇiratanaṁ pāturahosi.
It was a beryl gem that was naturally beautiful, eight-faceted, well-worked, transparent, clear, and unclouded, endowed with all good qualities.
So ahosi maṇi veḷuriyo subho jātimā aṭṭhaṁso suparikammakato accho vippasanno anāvilo sabbākārasampanno.
And the radiance of that jewel spread all-round for a league.
Tassa kho panānanda, maṇiratanassa ābhā samantā yojanaṁ phuṭā ahosi.
Once it so happened that King Mahāsudassana, testing that same jewel-treasure, mobilized his army of four divisions and, with the jewel hoisted on his banner, set out in the dark of the night.
Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tameva maṇiratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno caturaṅginiṁ senaṁ sannayhitvā maṇiṁ dhajaggaṁ āropetvā rattandhakāratimisāya pāyāsi.
Then the villagers around them set off to work, thinking that it was day.
Ye kho panānanda, samantā gāmā ahesuṁ, te tenobhāsena kammante payojesuṁ divāti maññamānā.
Such is the jewel-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ maṇiratanaṁ pāturahosi.
2.5. The Woman-Treasure
2.5. Itthiratana
Next, the woman-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa itthiratanaṁ pāturahosi
She was attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty. She was neither too tall nor too short; neither too thin nor too fat; neither too dark nor too light. She outdid human beauty without reaching divine beauty.
abhirūpā dassanīyā pāsādikā paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgatā nātidīghā nātirassā nātikisā nātithūlā nātikāḷikā nāccodātā atikkantā mānusivaṇṇaṁ appattā dibbavaṇṇaṁ.
And her touch was like a tuft of cotton-wool or kapok.
Tassa kho panānanda, itthiratanassa evarūpo kāyasamphasso hoti, seyyathāpi nāma tūlapicuno vā kappāsapicuno vā.
When it was cool her limbs were warm, and when it was warm her limbs were cool.
Tassa kho panānanda, itthiratanassa sīte uṇhāni gattāni honti, uṇhe sītāni.
The fragrance of sandal floated from her body, and lotus from her mouth.
Tassa kho panānanda, itthiratanassa kāyato candanagandho vāyati, mukhato uppalagandho.
She got up before the king and went to bed after him, and was obliging, behaving nicely and speaking politely.
Taṁ kho panānanda, itthiratanaṁ rañño mahāsudassanassa pubbuṭṭhāyinī ahosi pacchānipātinī kiṅkārapaṭissāvinī manāpacārinī piyavādinī.
The woman-treasure did not betray the wheel-turning monarch even in thought, still less in deed.
Taṁ kho panānanda, itthiratanaṁ rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ manasāpi no aticari, kuto pana kāyena.
Such is the woman-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ itthiratanaṁ pāturahosi.
2.6. The Householder-Treasure
2.6. Gahapatiratana
Next, the householder-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa gahapatiratanaṁ pāturahosi.
The power of clairvoyance manifested in him as a result of past deeds, by which he sees hidden treasure, both owned and ownerless.
Tassa kammavipākajaṁ dibbacakkhu pāturahosi yena nidhiṁ passati sassāmikampi assāmikampi.
He approached the king and said,
So rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāha:
‘Relax, sire. I will take care of the treasury.’
‘appossukko tvaṁ, deva, hohi, ahaṁ te dhanena dhanakaraṇīyaṁ karissāmī’ti.
Once it so happened that the wheel-turning monarch, testing that same householder-treasure, boarded a boat and sailed to the middle of the Ganges river. Then he said to the householder-treasure,
Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tameva gahapatiratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno nāvaṁ abhiruhitvā majjhe gaṅgāya nadiyā sotaṁ ogāhitvā gahapatiratanaṁ etadavoca:
‘Householder, I need gold coins and bullion.’
‘attho me, gahapati, hiraññasuvaṇṇenā’ti.
‘Well then, great king, draw the boat up to one shore.’
‘Tena hi, mahārāja, ekaṁ tīraṁ nāvā upetū’ti.
‘It’s right here, householder, that I need gold coins and bullion.’
‘Idheva me, gahapati, attho hiraññasuvaṇṇenā’ti.
Then that householder-treasure, immersing both hands in the water, pulled up a pot full of gold coin and bullion, and said to the king,
Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, gahapatiratanaṁ ubhohi hatthehi udakaṁ omasitvā pūraṁ hiraññasuvaṇṇassa kumbhiṁ uddharitvā rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ etadavoca:
‘Is this sufficient, great king? Has enough been done, great king, enough offered?’
‘alamettāvatā, mahārāja, katamettāvatā, mahārāja, pūjitamettāvatā, mahārājā’ti?
The king said,
Rājā mahāsudassano evamāha:
‘That is sufficient, householder. Enough has been done, enough offered.’
‘alamettāvatā, gahapati, katamettāvatā, gahapati, pūjitamettāvatā, gahapatī’ti.
Such is the householder-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ gahapatiratanaṁ pāturahosi.
2.7. The Counselor-Treasure
2.7. Pariṇāyakaratana
Next, the counselor-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa pariṇāyakaratanaṁ pāturahosi
He was astute, competent, intelligent, and capable of getting the king to appoint who should be appointed, dismiss who should be dismissed, and retain who should be retained.
paṇḍito viyatto medhāvī paṭibalo rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upayāpetabbaṁ upayāpetuṁ, apayāpetabbaṁ apayāpetuṁ, ṭhapetabbaṁ ṭhapetuṁ.
He approached the king and said,
So rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāha:
‘Relax, sire. I shall issue instructions.’
‘appossukko tvaṁ, deva, hohi, ahamanusāsissāmī’ti.
Such is the counselor-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.
Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ pariṇāyakaratanaṁ pāturahosi.
These are the seven treasures possessed by King Mahāsudassana.
Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imehi sattahi ratanehi samannāgato ahosi.
3. The Four Blessings
3. Catuiddhisamannāgata
King Mahāsudassana possessed four blessings.
Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano catūhi iddhīhi samannāgato ahosi.
And what are the four blessings?
Katamāhi catūhi iddhīhi?
He was attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty, more so than other people.
Idhānanda, rājā mahāsudassano abhirūpo ahosi dassanīyo pāsādiko paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgato ativiya aññehi manussehi.
This is the first blessing.
Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāya paṭhamāya iddhiyā samannāgato ahosi.
Furthermore, he was long-lived, more so than other people.
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano dīghāyuko ahosi ciraṭṭhitiko ativiya aññehi manussehi.
This is the second blessing.
Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāya dutiyāya iddhiyā samannāgato ahosi.
Furthermore, he was rarely ill or unwell, and his stomach digested well, being neither too hot nor too cold, more so than other people.
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano appābādho ahosi appātaṅko samavepākiniyā gahaṇiyā samannāgato nātisītāya nāccuṇhāya ativiya aññehi manussehi.
This is the third blessing.
Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāya tatiyāya iddhiyā samannāgato ahosi.
Furthermore, he was as dear and beloved to the brahmins and householders
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano brāhmaṇagahapatikānaṁ piyo ahosi manāpo.
as a father is to his children.
Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pitā puttānaṁ piyo hoti manāpo;
evameva kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano brāhmaṇagahapatikānaṁ piyo ahosi manāpo.
And the brahmins and householders were as dear to the king
Raññopi, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa brāhmaṇagahapatikā piyā ahesuṁ manāpā.
as children are to their father.
Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pitu puttā piyā honti manāpā;
evameva kho, ānanda, raññopi mahāsudassanassa brāhmaṇagahapatikā piyā ahesuṁ manāpā.
Once it so happened that King Mahāsudassana went with his army of four divisions to visit a park.
Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano caturaṅginiyā senāya uyyānabhūmiṁ niyyāsi.
Then the brahmins and householders went up to him and said,
Atha kho, ānanda, brāhmaṇagahapatikā rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu:
‘Slow down, Your Majesty, so we may see you longer!’
‘ataramāno, deva, yāhi, yathā taṁ mayaṁ cirataraṁ passeyyāmā’ti.
And the king addressed his charioteer,
Rājāpi, ānanda, mahāsudassano sārathiṁ āmantesi:
‘Drive slowly, charioteer, so I can see the brahmins and householders longer!’
‘ataramāno, sārathi, rathaṁ pesehi, yathā ahaṁ brāhmaṇagahapatike cirataraṁ passeyyan’ti.
This is the fourth blessing.
Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāya catutthiyā iddhiyā samannāgato ahosi.
These are the four blessings possessed by King Mahāsudassana.
Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāhi catūhi iddhīhi samannāgato ahosi.
4. Lotus Ponds in the Palace of Principle
4. Dhammapāsādapokkharaṇī
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,
Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
‘Why don’t I have lotus ponds built between the palms, at intervals of a hundred bow lengths?’
‘yannūnāhaṁ imāsu tālantarikāsu dhanusate dhanusate pokkharaṇiyo māpeyyan’ti.
So that’s what he did.
Māpesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tāsu tālantarikāsu dhanusate dhanusate pokkharaṇiyo.
The lotus ponds were lined with tiles of four colors,
Tā kho panānanda, pokkharaṇiyo catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ iṭṭhakāhi citā ahesuṁ—
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.
ekā iṭṭhakā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā.
And four flights of stairs of four colors descended into each lotus pond,
Tāsu kho panānanda, pokkharaṇīsu cattāri cattāri sopānāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ,
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.
ekaṁ sopānaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ.
The golden stairs had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver.
Sovaṇṇamayassa sopānassa sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The silver stairs had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.
Rūpiyamayassa sopānassa rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The beryl stairs had posts of beryl, and banisters and finials of crystal.
Veḷuriyamayassa sopānassa veḷuriyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, phalikamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The crystal stairs had posts of crystal, and banisters and finials of beryl.
Phalikamayassa sopānassa phalikamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, veḷuriyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
Those lotus ponds were surrounded by two balustrades, made of gold and silver.
Tā kho panānanda, pokkharaṇiyo dvīhi vedikāhi parikkhittā ahesuṁ ekā vedikā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā.
The golden balustrades had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver.
Sovaṇṇamayāya vedikāya sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The silver balustrades had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.
Rūpiyamayāya vedikāya rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,
Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
‘Why don’t I plant flowers in the lotus ponds such as blue water lilies, and lotuses of pink, yellow, and white, blooming all year round, and accessible to the public?’
‘yannūnāhaṁ imāsu pokkharaṇīsu evarūpaṁ mālaṁ ropāpeyyaṁ uppalaṁ padumaṁ kumudaṁ puṇḍarīkaṁ sabbotukaṁ sabbajanassa anāvaṭan’ti.
So that’s what he did.
Ropāpesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tāsu pokkharaṇīsu evarūpaṁ mālaṁ uppalaṁ padumaṁ kumudaṁ puṇḍarīkaṁ sabbotukaṁ sabbajanassa anāvaṭaṁ.
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,
Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
‘Why don’t I appoint bath attendants to help bathe the people who come to bathe in the lotus ponds?’
‘yannūnāhaṁ imāsaṁ pokkharaṇīnaṁ tīre nhāpake purise ṭhapeyyaṁ, ye āgatāgataṁ janaṁ nhāpessantī’ti.
So that’s what he did.
Ṭhapesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tāsaṁ pokkharaṇīnaṁ tīre nhāpake purise, ye āgatāgataṁ janaṁ nhāpesuṁ.
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,
Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
‘Why don’t I set up charities on the banks of the lotus ponds,
‘yannūnāhaṁ imāsaṁ pokkharaṇīnaṁ tīre evarūpaṁ dānaṁ paṭṭhapeyyaṁ—
so that those in need of food, drink, clothes, vehicles, beds, women, gold, or silver can get what they need?’
annaṁ annaṭṭhikassa, pānaṁ pānaṭṭhikassa, vatthaṁ vatthaṭṭhikassa, yānaṁ yānaṭṭhikassa, sayanaṁ sayanaṭṭhikassa, itthiṁ itthiṭṭhikassa, hiraññaṁ hiraññaṭṭhikassa, suvaṇṇaṁ suvaṇṇaṭṭhikassā’ti.
So that’s what he did.
Paṭṭhapesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tāsaṁ pokkharaṇīnaṁ tīre evarūpaṁ dānaṁ—
annaṁ annaṭṭhikassa, pānaṁ pānaṭṭhikassa, vatthaṁ vatthaṭṭhikassa, yānaṁ yānaṭṭhikassa, sayanaṁ sayanaṭṭhikassa, itthiṁ itthiṭṭhikassa, hiraññaṁ hiraññaṭṭhikassa, suvaṇṇaṁ suvaṇṇaṭṭhikassa.
Then the brahmins and householders came to the king bringing abundant wealth and said,
Atha kho, ānanda, brāhmaṇagahapatikā pahūtaṁ sāpateyyaṁ ādāya rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu:
‘Sire, this abundant wealth is specially for you alone; may Your Highness accept it!’
‘idaṁ, deva, pahūtaṁ sāpateyyaṁ devaññeva uddissa ābhataṁ, taṁ devo paṭiggaṇhatū’ti.
‘There’s enough raised for me through regular taxes. Let this be for you; and here, take even more!’
‘Alaṁ, bho, mamapidaṁ pahūtaṁ sāpateyyaṁ dhammikena balinā abhisaṅkhataṁ, tañca vo hotu, ito ca bhiyyo harathā’ti.
When the king turned them down, they withdrew to one side to think up a plan,
Te raññā paṭikkhittā ekamantaṁ apakkamma evaṁ samacintesuṁ:
‘It wouldn’t be proper for us to take this abundant wealth back to our own homes.
‘na kho etaṁ amhākaṁ patirūpaṁ, yaṁ mayaṁ imāni sāpateyyāni punadeva sakāni gharāni paṭihareyyāma.
Why don’t we build a home for King Mahāsudassana?’
Yannūna mayaṁ rañño mahāsudassanassa nivesanaṁ māpeyyāmā’ti.
They went up to the king and said,
Te rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu:
‘We shall have a home built for you, sire!’
‘nivesanaṁ te, deva, māpessāmā’ti.
King Mahāsudassana consented in silence.
Adhivāsesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tuṇhībhāvena.
And then Sakka, lord of gods, knowing what the king was thinking, addressed the god Vissakamma,
Atha kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo rañño mahāsudassanassa cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya vissakammaṁ devaputtaṁ āmantesi:
‘Come, dear Vissakamma, build a palace named Principle as a home for King Mahāsudassana.’
‘ehi tvaṁ, samma vissakamma, rañño mahāsudassanassa nivesanaṁ māpehi dhammaṁ nāma pāsādan’ti.
‘Yes, lord,’ replied Vissakamma. Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he vanished from the gods of the Thirty-Three and appeared in front of King Mahāsudassana.
‘Evaṁ, bhaddantavā’ti kho, ānanda, vissakammo devaputto sakkassa devānamindassa paṭissutvā seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—devesu tāvatiṁsesu antarahito rañño mahāsudassanassa purato pāturahosi.
Vissakamma said to the king,
Atha kho, ānanda, vissakammo devaputto rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ etadavoca:
‘I shall build a palace named Principle as a home for you, sire.’
‘nivesanaṁ te, deva, māpessāmi dhammaṁ nāma pāsādan’ti.
King Mahāsudassana consented in silence.
Adhivāsesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tuṇhībhāvena.
And so that’s what Vissakamma did.
Māpesi kho, ānanda, vissakammo devaputto rañño mahāsudassanassa nivesanaṁ dhammaṁ nāma pāsādaṁ.
The Palace of Principle stretched for a league from east to west, and half a league from north to south.
Dhammo, ānanda, pāsādo puratthimena pacchimena ca yojanaṁ āyāmena ahosi. Uttarena dakkhiṇena ca aḍḍhayojanaṁ vitthārena.
It was lined with tiles of four colors, three fathoms high,
Dhammassa, ānanda, pāsādassa tiporisaṁ uccatarena vatthu citaṁ ahosi catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ iṭṭhakāhi—
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.
ekā iṭṭhakā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā.
It had 84,000 pillars of four colors,
Dhammassa, ānanda, pāsādassa caturāsītithambhasahassāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ—
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.
eko thambho sovaṇṇamayo, eko rūpiyamayo, eko veḷuriyamayo, eko phalikamayo.
It was covered with panels of four colors,
Dhammo, ānanda, pāsādo catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ phalakehi santhato ahosi—
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.
ekaṁ phalakaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ.
It had twenty-four staircases of four colors,
Dhammassa, ānanda, pāsādassa catuvīsati sopānāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ—
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.
ekaṁ sopānaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ.
The golden stairs had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver.
Sovaṇṇamayassa sopānassa sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The silver stairs had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.
Rūpiyamayassa sopānassa rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The beryl stairs had posts of beryl, and banisters and finials of crystal.
Veḷuriyamayassa sopānassa veḷuriyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ phalikamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The crystal stairs had posts of crystal, and banisters and finials of beryl.
Phalikamayassa sopānassa phalikamayā thambhā ahesuṁ veḷuriyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
It had 84,000 chambers of four colors,
Dhamme, ānanda, pāsāde caturāsītikūṭāgārasahassāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ—
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.
ekaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ.
In each chamber a couch was spread: in the golden chamber a couch of silver; in the silver chamber a couch of gold; in the beryl chamber a couch of ivory; in the crystal chamber a couch of hardwood.
Sovaṇṇamaye kūṭāgāre rūpiyamayo pallaṅko paññatto ahosi, rūpiyamaye kūṭāgāre sovaṇṇamayo pallaṅko paññatto ahosi, veḷuriyamaye kūṭāgāre dantamayo pallaṅko paññatto ahosi, phalikamaye kūṭāgāre sāramayo pallaṅko paññatto ahosi.
At the door of the golden chamber stood a palm tree of silver, with trunk of silver, and leaves and fruits of gold.
Sovaṇṇamayassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre rūpiyamayo tālo ṭhito ahosi, tassa rūpiyamayo khandho sovaṇṇamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
At the door of the silver chamber stood a palm tree of gold, with trunk of gold, and leaves and fruits of silver.
Rūpiyamayassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre sovaṇṇamayo tālo ṭhito ahosi, tassa sovaṇṇamayo khandho, rūpiyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
At the door of the beryl chamber stood a palm tree of crystal, with trunk of crystal, and leaves and fruits of beryl.
Veḷuriyamayassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre phalikamayo tālo ṭhito ahosi, tassa phalikamayo khandho, veḷuriyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
At the door of the crystal chamber stood a palm tree of beryl, with trunk of beryl, and leaves and fruits of crystal.
Phalikamayassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre veḷuriyamayo tālo ṭhito ahosi, tassa veḷuriyamayo khandho, phalikamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,
Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
‘Why don’t I build a grove of golden palm trees at the door to the great foyer, where I can sit for the day?’
‘yannūnāhaṁ mahāviyūhassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre sabbasovaṇṇamayaṁ tālavanaṁ māpeyyaṁ, yattha divāvihāraṁ nisīdissāmī’ti.
So that’s what he did.
Māpesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano mahāviyūhassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre sabbasovaṇṇamayaṁ tālavanaṁ, yattha divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.
The Palace of Principle was surrounded by two balustrades, made of gold and silver.
Dhammo, ānanda, pāsādo dvīhi vedikāhi parikkhitto ahosi, ekā vedikā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā.
The golden balustrades had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver.
Sovaṇṇamayāya vedikāya sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The silver balustrades had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.
Rūpiyamayāya vedikāya rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The Palace of Principle was surrounded by two nets of bells,
Dhammo, ānanda, pāsādo dvīhi kiṅkiṇikajālehi parikkhitto ahosi—
made of gold and silver.
ekaṁ jālaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ.
The golden net had bells of silver, and the silver net had bells of gold.
Sovaṇṇamayassa jālassa rūpiyamayā kiṅkiṇikā ahesuṁ, rūpiyamayassa jālassa sovaṇṇamayā kiṅkiṇikā ahesuṁ.
When those nets of bells were blown by the wind they sounded graceful, tantalizing, sensuous, lovely, and intoxicating,
Tesaṁ kho panānanda, kiṅkiṇikajālānaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca.
like a quintet made up of skilled musicians who had practiced well and kept excellent rhythm.
Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pañcaṅgikassa tūriyassa suvinītassa suppaṭitāḷitassa sukusalehi samannāhatassa saddo hoti, vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca;
evameva kho, ānanda, tesaṁ kiṅkiṇikajālānaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca.
And any addicts, carousers, or drunkards in Kusāvatī at that time were entertained by that sound.
Ye kho panānanda, tena samayena kusāvatiyā rājadhāniyā dhuttā ahesuṁ soṇḍā pipāsā, te tesaṁ kiṅkiṇikajālānaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddena paricāresuṁ.
When it was finished, the palace was hard to look at, dazzling to the eyes,
Niṭṭhito kho panānanda, dhammo pāsādo duddikkho ahosi musati cakkhūni.
like the sun rising in a clear and cloudless sky in the last month of the rainy season.
Seyyathāpi, ānanda, vassānaṁ pacchime māse saradasamaye viddhe vigatavalāhake deve ādicco nabhaṁ abbhussakkamāno duddikkho hoti musati cakkhūni;
evameva kho, ānanda, dhammo pāsādo duddikkho ahosi musati cakkhūni.
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,
Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
‘Why don’t I build a lotus pond named Principle in front of the palace?’
‘yannūnāhaṁ dhammassa pāsādassa purato dhammaṁ nāma pokkharaṇiṁ māpeyyan’ti.
So that’s what he did.
Māpesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano dhammassa pāsādassa purato dhammaṁ nāma pokkharaṇiṁ.
The Lotus Pond of Principle stretched for a league from east to west, and half a league from north to south.
Dhammā, ānanda, pokkharaṇī puratthimena pacchimena ca yojanaṁ āyāmena ahosi, uttarena dakkhiṇena ca aḍḍhayojanaṁ vitthārena.
It was lined with tiles of four colors,
Dhammā, ānanda, pokkharaṇī catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ iṭṭhakāhi citā ahosi—
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.
ekā iṭṭhakā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā.
It had twenty-four staircases of four colors,
Dhammāya, ānanda, pokkharaṇiyā catuvīsati sopānāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ—
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.
ekaṁ sopānaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ.
The golden stairs had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver.
Sovaṇṇamayassa sopānassa sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The silver stairs had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.
Rūpiyamayassa sopānassa rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The beryl stairs had posts of beryl, and banisters and finials of crystal.
Veḷuriyamayassa sopānassa veḷuriyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ phalikamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The crystal stairs had posts of crystal, and banisters and finials of beryl.
Phalikamayassa sopānassa phalikamayā thambhā ahesuṁ veḷuriyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
It was surrounded by two balustrades, made of gold and silver.
Dhammā, ānanda, pokkharaṇī dvīhi vedikāhi parikkhittā ahosi—ekā vedikā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā.
The golden balustrades had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver.
Sovaṇṇamayāya vedikāya sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The silver balustrades had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.
Rūpiyamayāya vedikāya rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
It was surrounded by seven rows of palm trees,
Dhammā, ānanda, pokkharaṇī sattahi tālapantīhi parikkhittā ahosi—
made of gold, silver, beryl, crystal, ruby, emerald, and all precious things.
ekā tālapanti sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā, ekā lohitaṅkamayā, ekā masāragallamayā, ekā sabbaratanamayā.
The golden palms had trunks of gold, and leaves and fruits of silver.
Sovaṇṇamayassa tālassa sovaṇṇamayo khandho ahosi rūpiyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The silver palms had trunks of silver, and leaves and fruits of gold.
Rūpiyamayassa tālassa rūpiyamayo khandho ahosi sovaṇṇamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The beryl palms had trunks of beryl, and leaves and fruits of crystal.
Veḷuriyamayassa tālassa veḷuriyamayo khandho ahosi phalikamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The crystal palms had trunks of crystal, and leaves and fruits of beryl.
Phalikamayassa tālassa phalikamayo khandho ahosi veḷuriyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The ruby palms had trunks of ruby, and leaves and fruits of emerald.
Lohitaṅkamayassa tālassa lohitaṅkamayo khandho ahosi masāragallamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The emerald palms had trunks of emerald, and leaves and fruits of ruby.
Masāragallamayassa tālassa masāragallamayo khandho ahosi lohitaṅkamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The palms of all precious things had trunks of all precious things, and leaves and fruits of all precious things.
Sabbaratanamayassa tālassa sabbaratanamayo khandho ahosi, sabbaratanamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
When those rows of palm trees were blown by the wind they sounded graceful, tantalizing, sensuous, lovely, and intoxicating,
Tāsaṁ kho panānanda, tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi, vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca.
like a quintet made up of skilled musicians who had practiced well and kept excellent rhythm.
Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pañcaṅgikassa tūriyassa suvinītassa suppaṭitāḷitassa sukusalehi samannāhatassa saddo hoti vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca;
evameva kho, ānanda, tāsaṁ tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca.
And any addicts, carousers, or drunkards in Kusāvatī at that time were entertained by that sound.
Ye kho panānanda, tena samayena kusāvatiyā rājadhāniyā dhuttā ahesuṁ soṇḍā pipāsā, te tāsaṁ tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddena paricāresuṁ.
When the palace and its lotus pond were finished, King Mahāsudassana served those who were reckoned as true ascetics and brahmins with all they desired. Then he ascended the Palace of Principle.
Niṭṭhite kho panānanda, dhamme pāsāde niṭṭhitāya dhammāya ca pokkharaṇiyā rājā mahāsudassano ‘ye tena samayena samaṇesu vā samaṇasammatā brāhmaṇesu vā brāhmaṇasammatā’, te sabbakāmehi santappetvā dhammaṁ pāsādaṁ abhiruhi.
Paṭhamabhāṇavāro.
5. Attaining Absorption
5. Jhānasampatti
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,
Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
‘Of what deed of mine is this the fruit and result, that I am now so mighty and powerful?’
‘kissa nu kho me idaṁ kammassa phalaṁ kissa kammassa vipāko, yenāhaṁ etarahi evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo’ti?
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,
Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
‘It is the fruit and result of three kinds of deeds:
‘tiṇṇaṁ kho me idaṁ kammānaṁ phalaṁ tiṇṇaṁ kammānaṁ vipāko, yenāhaṁ etarahi evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo, seyyathidaṁ—
giving, self-control, and restraint.’
dānassa damassa saṁyamassā’ti.
Then he went to the great foyer, stood at the door, and expressed this heartfelt sentiment:
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano yena mahāviyūhaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā mahāviyūhassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre ṭhito udānaṁ udānesi:
‘Stop here, sensual, malicious, and cruel thoughts—
‘tiṭṭha, kāmavitakka, tiṭṭha, byāpādavitakka, tiṭṭha, vihiṁsāvitakka.
no further!’
Ettāvatā, kāmavitakka, ettāvatā, byāpādavitakka, ettāvatā, vihiṁsāvitakkā’ti.
Then he entered the great foyer and sat on the golden couch. Quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, he entered and remained in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano mahāviyūhaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ pavisitvā sovaṇṇamaye pallaṅke nisinno vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihāsi.
As the placing of the mind and keeping it connected were stilled, he entered and remained 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 samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihāsi.
And with the fading away of rapture, he entered and remained in the third absorption, where he meditated 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 upekkhako ca vihāsi, sato ca sampajāno sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedesi, yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti: ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihāsi.
With the giving up of pleasure and pain, and the ending of former happiness and sadness, he entered and remained 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 vihāsi.
Then King Mahāsudassana left the great foyer and entered the golden chamber, where he sat on the golden couch.
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano mahāviyūhā kūṭāgārā nikkhamitvā sovaṇṇamayaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ pavisitvā rūpiyamaye pallaṅke nisinno
He meditated spreading a heart full of love to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way he spread a heart full of love above, below, across, everywhere, all around, to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.
mettāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā vihāsi. Tathā dutiyaṁ tathā tatiyaṁ tathā catutthaṁ. Iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjena pharitvā vihāsi.
He meditated spreading a heart full of compassion …
Karuṇāsahagatena cetasā …pe…
He meditated spreading a heart full of rejoicing …
muditāsahagatena cetasā …pe…
He meditated spreading a heart full of equanimity to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, he spread a heart full of equanimity to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.
upekkhāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā vihāsi. Tathā dutiyaṁ tathā tatiyaṁ tathā catutthaṁ. Iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ upekkhāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjena pharitvā vihāsi.
6. Of All Cities
6. Caturāsītinagarasahassādi
King Mahāsudassana had 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost.
Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa caturāsīti nagarasahassāni ahesuṁ kusāvatīrājadhānippamukhāni;
He had 84,000 palaces, with the Palace of Principle foremost.
caturāsīti pāsādasahassāni ahesuṁ dhammapāsādappamukhāni;
He had 84,000 chambers, with the great foyer foremost.
caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassāni ahesuṁ mahāviyūhakūṭāgārappamukhāni;
He had 84,000 couches made of gold, silver, ivory, and hardwood. They were spread with woollen covers—shag-piled, pure white, or embroidered with flowers—and spread with a fine deer hide, with a canopy above and red pillows at both ends.
caturāsīti pallaṅkasahassāni ahesuṁ sovaṇṇamayāni rūpiyamayāni dantamayāni sāramayāni gonakatthatāni paṭikatthatāni paṭalikatthatāni kadalimigapavarapaccattharaṇāni sauttaracchadāni ubhatolohitakūpadhānāni;
He had 84,000 bull elephants with gold adornments and banners, covered with gold netting, with the royal bull elephant named Sabbath foremost.
caturāsīti nāgasahassāni ahesuṁ sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni uposathanāgarājappamukhāni;
He had 84,000 horses with gold adornments and banners, covered with gold netting, with the royal steed named Thundercloud foremost.
caturāsīti assasahassāni ahesuṁ sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni valāhakaassarājappamukhāni;
He had 84,000 chariots upholstered with the hide of lions, tigers, and leopards, and cream rugs, with gold adornments and banners, covered with gold netting, with the chariot named Triumph foremost.
caturāsīti rathasahassāni ahesuṁ sīhacammaparivārāni byagghacammaparivārāni dīpicammaparivārāni paṇḍukambalaparivārāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni vejayantarathappamukhāni;
He had 84,000 jewels, with the jewel-treasure foremost.
caturāsīti maṇisahassāni ahesuṁ maṇiratanappamukhāni;
He had 84,000 women, with Queen Subhaddā foremost.
caturāsīti itthisahassāni ahesuṁ subhaddādevippamukhāni;
He had 84,000 householders, with the householder-treasure foremost.
caturāsīti gahapatisahassāni ahesuṁ gahapatiratanappamukhāni;
He had 84,000 aristocrat vassals, with the counselor-treasure foremost.
caturāsīti khattiyasahassāni ahesuṁ anuyantāni pariṇāyakaratanappamukhāni;
He had 84,000 milk-cows with silken reins and bronze pails.
caturāsīti dhenusahassāni ahesuṁ duhasandanāni kaṁsūpadhāraṇāni;
He had 8,400,000,000 fine cloths of linen, cotton, silk, and wool.
caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassāni ahesuṁ khomasukhumānaṁ kappāsikasukhumānaṁ koseyyasukhumānaṁ kambalasukhumānaṁ;
He had 84,000 servings of food, which were presented to him as offerings in the morning and evening.
rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa caturāsīti thālipākasahassāni ahesuṁ sāyaṁ pātaṁ bhattābhihāro abhihariyittha.
Now at that time his 84,000 royal elephants came to attend on him in the morning and evening.
Tena kho panānanda, samayena rañño mahāsudassanassa caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgacchanti.
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,
Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
‘What if instead half of the elephants took turns to attend on me at the end of each century?’
‘imāni kho me caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgacchanti, yannūna vassasatassa vassasatassa accayena dvecattālīsaṁ dvecattālīsaṁ nāgasahassāni sakiṁ sakiṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgaccheyyun’ti.
He instructed the counselor-treasure to do this, and so it was done.
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano pariṇāyakaratanaṁ āmantesi:
‘imāni kho me, samma pariṇāyakaratana, caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgacchanti, tena hi, samma pariṇāyakaratana, vassasatassa vassasatassa accayena dvecattālīsaṁ dvecattālīsaṁ nāgasahassāni sakiṁ sakiṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgacchantū’ti.
‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, pariṇāyakaratanaṁ rañño mahāsudassanassa paccassosi.
Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa aparena samayena vassasatassa vassasatassa accayena dvecattālīsaṁ dvecattālīsaṁ nāgasahassāni sakiṁ sakiṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgamaṁsu.
7. The Visit of Queen Subhaddā
7. Subhaddādeviupasaṅkamana
Then, after many years, many hundred years, many thousand years had passed, Queen Subhaddā thought,
Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddāya deviyā bahunnaṁ vassānaṁ bahunnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahunnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena etadahosi:
‘It is long since I have seen the king. Why don’t I go to see him?’
‘ciraṁ diṭṭho kho me rājā mahāsudassano. Yannūnāhaṁ rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ dassanāya upasaṅkameyyan’ti.
So the queen addressed the ladies of the harem,
Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddā devī itthāgāraṁ āmantesi:
‘Come, bathe your heads and dress in yellow.
‘etha tumhe sīsāni nhāyatha pītāni vatthāni pārupatha.
It is long since we saw the king, and we shall go to see him.’
Ciraṁ diṭṭho no rājā mahāsudassano, rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ dassanāya upasaṅkamissāmā’ti.
‘Yes, ma’am,’ replied the ladies of the harem. They did as she asked and returned to the queen.
‘Evaṁ, ayye’ti kho, ānanda, itthāgāraṁ subhaddāya deviyā paṭissutvā sīsāni nhāyitvā pītāni vatthāni pārupitvā yena subhaddā devī tenupasaṅkami.
Then the queen addressed the counselor-treasure,
Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddā devī pariṇāyakaratanaṁ āmantesi:
‘Dear counselor-treasure, please ready the army of four divisions. It is long since we saw the king, and we shall go to see him.’
‘kappehi, samma pariṇāyakaratana, caturaṅginiṁ senaṁ, ciraṁ diṭṭho no rājā mahāsudassano, rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ dassanāya upasaṅkamissāmā’ti.
‘Yes, my queen,’ he replied, and did as he was asked. He informed the queen,
‘Evaṁ, devī’ti kho, ānanda, pariṇāyakaratanaṁ subhaddāya deviyā paṭissutvā caturaṅginiṁ senaṁ kappāpetvā subhaddāya deviyā paṭivedesi:
‘My queen, the army of four divisions is ready,
‘kappitā kho, devi, caturaṅginī senā,
please go at your convenience.’
yassadāni kālaṁ maññasī’ti.
Then Queen Subhaddā together with the ladies of the harem went with the army to the Palace of Principle. She ascended the palace and went to the great foyer,
Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddā devī caturaṅginiyā senāya saddhiṁ itthāgārena yena dhammo pāsādo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā dhammaṁ pāsādaṁ abhiruhitvā yena mahāviyūhaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ tenupasaṅkami.
where she stood leaning against a door-post.
Upasaṅkamitvā mahāviyūhassa kūṭāgārassa dvārabāhaṁ ālambitvā aṭṭhāsi.
Hearing them, the king thought,
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano saddaṁ sutvā:
‘What’s that, it sounds like a big crowd!’ Coming out of the foyer he saw Queen Subhaddā leaning against a door-post and said to her,
‘kiṁ nu kho mahato viya janakāyassa saddo’ti mahāviyūhā kūṭāgārā nikkhamanto addasa subhaddaṁ deviṁ dvārabāhaṁ ālambitvā ṭhitaṁ, disvāna subhaddaṁ deviṁ etadavoca:
‘Please stay there, my queen, don’t enter in here.’
‘ettheva, devi, tiṭṭha mā pāvisī’ti.
Then he addressed a certain man,
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano aññataraṁ purisaṁ āmantesi:
‘Come, mister, bring the golden couch from the great foyer and set it up in the golden palm grove.’
‘ehi tvaṁ, ambho purisa, mahāviyūhā kūṭāgārā sovaṇṇamayaṁ pallaṅkaṁ nīharitvā sabbasovaṇṇamaye tālavane paññapehī’ti.
‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ that man replied, and did as he was asked.
‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, so puriso rañño mahāsudassanassa paṭissutvā mahāviyūhā kūṭāgārā sovaṇṇamayaṁ pallaṅkaṁ nīharitvā sabbasovaṇṇamaye tālavane paññapesi.
The king laid down in the lion’s posture—on the right side, placing one foot on top of the other—mindful and aware.
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano dakkhiṇena passena sīhaseyyaṁ kappesi pāde pādaṁ accādhāya sato sampajāno.
Then Queen Subhaddā thought,
Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddāya deviyā etadahosi:
‘The king’s faculties are so very clear, and the complexion of his skin is pure and bright. Let him not pass away!’ She said to him,
‘vippasannāni kho rañño mahāsudassanassa indriyāni, parisuddho chavivaṇṇo pariyodāto, mā heva kho rājā mahāsudassano kālamakāsī’ti rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ etadavoca:
‘Sire, you have 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost.
‘Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nagarasahassāni kusāvatīrājadhānippamukhāni.
Arouse desire for these! Take an interest in life!’
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.
And she likewise urged the king to live on by taking an interest in all his possessions as described above.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti pāsādasahassāni dhammapāsādappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassāni mahāviyūhakūṭāgārappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti pallaṅkasahassāni sovaṇṇamayāni rūpiyamayāni dantamayāni sāramayāni gonakatthatāni paṭikatthatāni paṭalikatthatāni kadalimigapavarapaccattharaṇāni sauttaracchadāni ubhatolohitakūpadhānāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi, jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni uposathanāgarājappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti assasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni valāhakaassarājappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti rathasahassāni sīhacammaparivārāni byagghacammaparivārāni dīpicammaparivārāni paṇḍukambalaparivārāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni vejayantarathappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti maṇisahassāni maṇiratanappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti itthisahassāni itthiratanappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti gahapatisahassāni gahapatiratanappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti khattiyasahassāni anuyantāni pariṇāyakaratanappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti dhenusahassāni duhasandanāni kaṁsūpadhāraṇāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassāni khomasukhumānaṁ kappāsikasukhumānaṁ koseyyasukhumānaṁ kambalasukhumānaṁ.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi, jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti thālipākasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ bhattābhihāro abhihariyati.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohī’ti.
When the queen had spoken, the king said to her,
Evaṁ vutte, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano subhaddaṁ deviṁ etadavoca:
‘For a long time, my queen, you have spoken to me with loving, desirable, pleasant, and agreeable words.
‘Dīgharattaṁ kho maṁ tvaṁ, devi, iṭṭhehi kantehi piyehi manāpehi samudācarittha;
And yet in my final hour, your words are undesirable, unpleasant, and disagreeable!’
atha ca pana maṁ tvaṁ pacchime kāle aniṭṭhehi akantehi appiyehi amanāpehi samudācarasī’ti.
‘Then how exactly, Your Majesty, am I to speak to you?’
‘Kathaṁ carahi taṁ, deva, samudācarāmī’ti?
‘Like this, my queen:
‘Evaṁ kho maṁ tvaṁ, devi, samudācara:
“Sire, we must be parted and separated from all we hold dear and beloved. Don’t pass away with concerns. Such concern is suffering, and it’s criticized.
“sabbeheva, deva, piyehi manāpehi nānābhāvo vinābhāvo aññathābhāvo, mā kho tvaṁ, deva, sāpekkho kālamakāsi, dukkhā sāpekkhassa kālaṅkiriyā, garahitā ca sāpekkhassa kālaṅkiriyā.
Sire, you have 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nagarasahassāni kusāvatīrājadhānippamukhāni.
Give up desire for these! Take no interest in life!”’
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
And so on for all the king’s possessions.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti pāsādasahassāni dhammapāsādappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassāni mahāviyūhakūṭāgārappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti pallaṅkasahassāni sovaṇṇamayāni rūpiyamayāni dantamayāni sāramayāni gonakatthatāni paṭikatthatāni paṭalikatthatāni kadalimigapavarapaccattharaṇāni sauttaracchadāni ubhatolohitakūpadhānāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni uposathanāgarājappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti assasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni valāhakaassarājappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti rathasahassāni sīhacammaparivārāni byagghacammaparivārāni dīpicammaparivārāni paṇḍukambalaparivārāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni vejayantarathappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti maṇisahassāni maṇiratanappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti itthisahassāni subhaddādevippamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti gahapatisahassāni gahapatiratanappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti khattiyasahassāni anuyantāni pariṇāyakaratanappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti dhenusahassāni duhasandanāni kaṁsūpadhāraṇāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassāni khomasukhumānaṁ kappāsikasukhumānaṁ koseyyasukhumānaṁ kambalasukhumānaṁ.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti thālipākasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ bhattābhihāro abhihariyati.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsī”’ti.
When the king had spoken, Queen Subhaddā cried and burst out in tears.
Evaṁ vutte, ānanda, subhaddā devī parodi assūni pavattesi.
Wiping away her tears, the queen said to the king:
Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddā devī assūni puñchitvā rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ etadavoca:
‘Sire, we must be parted and separated from all we hold dear and beloved. Don’t pass away with concerns. Such concern is suffering, and it’s criticized.
‘Sabbeheva, deva, piyehi manāpehi nānābhāvo vinābhāvo aññathābhāvo, mā kho tvaṁ, deva, sāpekkho kālamakāsi, dukkhā sāpekkhassa kālaṅkiriyā, garahitā ca sāpekkhassa kālaṅkiriyā.
Sire, you have 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nagarasahassāni kusāvatīrājadhānippamukhāni.
Give up desire for these! Take no interest in life!’
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
And she continued, listing all the king’s possessions.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti pāsādasahassāni dhammapāsādappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassāni mahāviyūhakūṭāgārappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti pallaṅkasahassāni sovaṇṇamayāni rūpiyamayāni dantamayāni sāramayāni gonakatthatāni paṭikatthatāni paṭalikatthatāni kadalimigapavarapaccattharaṇāni sauttaracchadāni ubhatolohitakūpadhānāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni uposathanāgarājappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti assasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni valāhakaassarājappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha, jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti rathasahassāni sīhacammaparivārāni byagghacammaparivārāni dīpicammaparivārāni paṇḍukambalaparivārāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni vejayantarathappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti maṇisahassāni maṇiratanappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti itthisahassāni itthiratanappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha, jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti gahapatisahassāni gahapatiratanappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti khattiyasahassāni anuyantāni pariṇāyakaratanappamukhāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti dhenusahassāni duhasandanāni kaṁsūpadhāraṇāni.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassāni khomasukhumānaṁ kappāsikasukhumānaṁ koseyyasukhumānaṁ kambalasukhumānaṁ.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti thālipākasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ bhattābhihāro abhihariyati.
Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsī’ti.
8. Rebirth in the Brahmā Realm
8. Brahmalokūpagama
Not long after that, King Mahāsudassana passed away.
Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano na cirasseva kālamakāsi.
And the feeling he had close to death was like a householder or their child falling asleep after eating a delectable meal.
Seyyathāpi, ānanda, gahapatissa vā gahapatiputtassa vā manuññaṁ bhojanaṁ bhuttāvissa bhattasammado hoti; evameva kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa māraṇantikā vedanā ahosi.
When he passed away King Mahāsudassana was reborn in a good place, a Brahmā realm.
Kālaṅkato ca, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano sugatiṁ brahmalokaṁ upapajji.
Ānanda, King Mahāsudassana played children’s games for 84,000 years.
Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano caturāsīti vassasahassāni kumārakīḷaṁ kīḷi.
He ruled as viceroy for 84,000 years.
Caturāsīti vassasahassāni oparajjaṁ kāresi.
He ruled as king for 84,000 years.
Caturāsīti vassasahassāni rajjaṁ kāresi.
He led the spiritual life as a layman in the Palace of Principle for 84,000 years.
Caturāsīti vassasahassāni gihibhūto dhamme pāsāde brahmacariyaṁ cari.
And having developed the four Brahmā meditations, when his body broke up, after death, he was reborn in a good place, a Brahmā realm.
So cattāro brahmavihāre bhāvetvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmalokūpago ahosi.
Now, Ānanda, you might think:
Siyā kho panānanda, evamassa:
‘Surely King Mahāsudassana must have been someone else at that time?’
‘añño nūna tena samayena rājā mahāsudassano ahosī’ti,
But you should not see it like that. I myself was King Mahāsudassana at that time.
na kho panetaṁ, ānanda, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ. Ahaṁ tena samayena rājā mahāsudassano ahosiṁ.
Mine were the 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost. And mine were all the other possessions.
Mama tāni caturāsīti nagarasahassāni kusāvatīrājadhānippamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti pāsādasahassāni dhammapāsādappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassāni mahāviyūhakūṭāgārappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti pallaṅkasahassāni sovaṇṇamayāni rūpiyamayāni dantamayāni sāramayāni gonakatthatāni paṭikatthatāni paṭalikatthatāni kadalimigapavarapaccattharaṇāni sauttaracchadāni ubhatolohitakūpadhānāni, mama tāni caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni uposathanāgarājappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti assasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni valāhakaassarājappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti rathasahassāni sīhacammaparivārāni byagghacammaparivārāni dīpicammaparivārāni paṇḍukambalaparivārāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni vejayantarathappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti maṇisahassāni maṇiratanappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti itthisahassāni subhaddādevippamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti gahapatisahassāni gahapatiratanappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti khattiyasahassāni anuyantāni pariṇāyakaratanappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti dhenusahassāni duhasandanāni kaṁsūpadhāraṇāni, mama tāni caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassāni khomasukhumānaṁ kappāsikasukhumānaṁ koseyyasukhumānaṁ kambalasukhumānaṁ, mama tāni caturāsīti thālipākasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ bhattābhihāro abhihariyittha.
Of those 84,000 cities, I only stayed in one, the capital Kusāvatī.
Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsītinagarasahassānaṁ ekaññeva taṁ nagaraṁ hoti, yaṁ tena samayena ajjhāvasāmi yadidaṁ kusāvatī rājadhānī.
Of those 84,000 mansions, I only dwelt in one, the Palace of Principle.
Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti pāsādasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so pāsādo hoti, yaṁ tena samayena ajjhāvasāmi yadidaṁ dhammo pāsādo.
Of those 84,000 chambers, I only dwelt in the great foyer.
Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassānaṁ ekaññeva taṁ kūṭāgāraṁ hoti, yaṁ tena samayena ajjhāvasāmi yadidaṁ mahāviyūhaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ.
Of those 84,000 couches, I only used one, made of gold or silver or ivory or heartwood.
Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti pallaṅkasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so pallaṅko hoti, yaṁ tena samayena paribhuñjāmi yadidaṁ sovaṇṇamayo vā rūpiyamayo vā dantamayo vā sāramayo vā.
Of those 84,000 bull elephants, I only rode one, the royal bull elephant named Sabbath.
Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti nāgasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so nāgo hoti, yaṁ tena samayena abhiruhāmi yadidaṁ uposatho nāgarājā.
Of those 84,000 horses, I only rode one, the royal horse named Thundercloud.
Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti assasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so asso hoti, yaṁ tena samayena abhiruhāmi yadidaṁ valāhako assarājā.
Of those 84,000 chariots, I only rode one, the chariot named Triumph.
Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti rathasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so ratho hoti, yaṁ tena samayena abhiruhāmi yadidaṁ vejayantaratho.
Of those 84,000 women, I was only served by one, a maiden of the aristocratic or merchant classes.
Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti itthisahassānaṁ ekāyeva sā itthī hoti, yā tena samayena paccupaṭṭhāti khattiyānī vā vessinī vā.
Of those 8,400,000,000 cloths, I only wore one pair, made of fine linen, cotton, silk, or wool.
Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassānaṁ ekaṁyeva taṁ dussayugaṁ hoti, yaṁ tena samayena paridahāmi khomasukhumaṁ vā kappāsikasukhumaṁ vā koseyyasukhumaṁ vā kambalasukhumaṁ vā.
Of those 84,000 servings of food, I only had one, eating at most a serving of rice and suitable sauce.
Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti thālipākasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so thālipāko hoti, yato nāḷikodanaparamaṁ bhuñjāmi tadupiyañca sūpeyyaṁ.
See, Ānanda! All those conditioned phenomena have passed, ceased, and perished.
Passānanda, sabbete saṅkhārā atītā niruddhā vipariṇatā.
So anicca are conditions,
Evaṁ aniccā kho, ānanda, saṅkhārā;
so unstable are conditions,
evaṁ addhuvā kho, ānanda, saṅkhārā;
so unreliable are conditions.
evaṁ anassāsikā kho, ānanda, saṅkhārā.
This is quite enough for you to become disillusioned, dispassionate, and freed regarding all conditions.
Yāvañcidaṁ, ānanda, alameva sabbasaṅkhāresu nibbindituṁ, alaṁ virajjituṁ, alaṁ vimuccituṁ.
Six times, Ānanda, I recall having laid down my body at this place. And the seventh time was as a wheel-turning monarch, a just and principled king, at which time my dominion extended to all four sides, I achieved stability in the country, and I possessed the seven treasures.
Chakkhattuṁ kho panāhaṁ, ānanda, abhijānāmi imasmiṁ padese sarīraṁ nikkhipitaṁ, tañca kho rājāva samāno cakkavattī dhammiko dhammarājā cāturanto vijitāvī janapadatthāvariyappatto sattaratanasamannāgato, ayaṁ sattamo sarīranikkhepo.
But Ānanda, I do not see any place in this world with its gods, Māras, and Brahmās, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans where the Realized One would lay down his body for the eighth time.”
Na kho panāhaṁ, ānanda, taṁ padesaṁ samanupassāmi sadevake loke samārake sabrahmake sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiyā pajāya sadevamanussāya yattha tathāgato aṭṭhamaṁ sarīraṁ nikkhipeyyā”ti.
That is what the Buddha said.
Idamavoca bhagavā.
Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:
Idaṁ vatvāna sugato athāparaṁ etadavoca satthā:
“Oh! Conditions are anicca,
“Aniccā vata saṅkhārā,
their nature is to rise and fall;
uppādavayadhammino;
having arisen, they cease;
Uppajjitvā nirujjhanti,
their stilling is true bliss.”
tesaṁ vūpasamo sukho”ti.
Mahā Sudassana Sutta: The Great Splendour (A King’s Renunciation). Much the same story recurs in Jātaka 95. King Mahā Sudassana lived in fairy-tale splendour and possessed the seven treasures, but finally retired to his Dhamma palace (built by the gods) to lead a life of meditation.