MN 83 About King Makhādeva

Medium Discourses Collection 83 – Majjhima Nikāya 83

MN 83 About King Makhādeva – Maghadevasutta

1.1

So I have heard.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

1.2

At one time the Buddha was staying near Mithilā in the Makhādeva Mango Grove.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā mithilāyaṁ viharati maghadevaambavane.

2.1

Then the Buddha smiled at a certain spot.

Atha kho bhagavā aññatarasmiṁ padese sitaṁ pātvākāsi.

2.2

Then Venerable Ānanda thought,

Atha kho āyasmato ānandassa etadahosi:

2.3

“What is the cause, what is the reason why the Buddha smiled?

“ko nu kho hetu, ko paccayo bhagavato sitassa pātukammāya?

2.4

Realized Ones do not smile for no reason.”

Na akāraṇena tathāgatā sitaṁ pātukarontī”ti.

2.5

So Ānanda arranged his robe over one shoulder, raised his joined palms toward the Buddha, and said,

Atha kho āyasmā ānando ekaṁsaṁ cīvaraṁ katvā yena bhagavā tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

2.6

“What is the cause, what is the reason why the Buddha smiled?

“ko nu kho, bhante, hetu, ko paccayo bhagavato sitassa pātukammāya?

2.7

Realized Ones do not smile for no reason.”

Na akāraṇena tathāgatā sitaṁ pātukarontī”ti.

3.1

“Once upon a time, Ānanda, right here in Mithilā there was a just and principled king named Makhādeva, a great king who stood by his duty.

“Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, imissāyeva mithilāyaṁ rājā ahosi maghadevo nāma dhammiko dhammarājā dhamme ṭhito mahārājā;

3.2

He justly treated brahmins and householders, and people of town and country.

dhammaṁ carati brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca;

3.3

And he observed the sabbath on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth of the fortnight.

uposathañca upavasati cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ aṭṭhamiñca pakkhassa.

4.1

Then, after many years, many hundred years, many thousand years had passed, King Makhādeva addressed his barber,

Atha kho, ānanda, rājā maghadevo bahūnaṁ vassānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena kappakaṁ āmantesi:

4.2

‘My dear barber, when you see grey hairs growing on my head, please tell me.’

‘yadā me, samma kappaka, passeyyāsi sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni, atha me āroceyyāsī’ti.

4.3

‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the barber.

‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, kappako rañño maghadevassa paccassosi.

4.4

When many thousands of years had passed, the barber saw grey hairs growing on the king’s head.

Addasā kho, ānanda, kappako bahūnaṁ vassānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena rañño maghadevassa sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni.

4.5

He said to the king,

Disvāna rājānaṁ maghadevaṁ etadavoca:

4.6

‘The messengers of the gods have shown themselves to you. Grey hairs can be seen growing on your head.’

‘pātubhūtā kho devassa devadūtā, dissanti sirasmiṁ palitāni jātānī’ti.

4.7

‘Well then, my dear barber, carefully pull them out with tweezers and place them in my cupped hands.’

‘Tena hi, samma kappaka, tāni palitāni sādhukaṁ saṇḍāsena uddharitvā mama añjalismiṁ patiṭṭhāpehī’ti.

4.8

‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the barber, and he did as the king said.

‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, kappako rañño maghadevassa paṭissutvā tāni palitāni sādhukaṁ saṇḍāsena uddharitvā rañño maghadevassa añjalismiṁ patiṭṭhāpesi.

4.9

The king gave the barber a prize village, then summoned the crown prince and said,

Atha kho, ānanda, rājā maghadevo kappakassa gāmavaraṁ datvā jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ āmantāpetvā etadavoca:

4.10

‘Dear prince, the messengers of the gods have shown themselves to me.

‘pātubhūtā kho me, tāta kumāra, devadūtā;

4.11

Grey hairs can be seen growing on my head.

dissanti sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni;

4.12

I have enjoyed human pleasures.

bhuttā kho pana me mānusakā kāmā;

4.13

Now it is time to seek heavenly pleasures.

samayo dibbe kāme pariyesituṁ.

4.14

Come, dear prince, rule the realm.

Ehi tvaṁ, tāta kumāra, imaṁ rajjaṁ paṭipajja.

4.15

I shall shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness.

Ahaṁ pana kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāmi.

4.16

For dear prince, you too will one day see grey hairs growing on your head. When this happens, after giving a prize village to the barber and carefully instructing the crown prince in kingship, you should shave off your hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness.

Tena hi, tāta kumāra, yadā tvampi passeyyāsi sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni, atha kappakassa gāmavaraṁ datvā jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ sādhukaṁ rajje samanusāsitvā kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyāsi.

4.17

Keep up this good practice that I have founded. Do not be my final man.

Yena me idaṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ anuppavatteyyāsi, mā kho me tvaṁ antimapuriso ahosi.

4.18

Whatever generation is current when such good practice is broken, he is their final man.

Yasmiṁ kho, tāta kumāra, purisayuge vattamāne evarūpassa kalyāṇassa vattassa samucchedo hoti so tesaṁ antimapuriso hoti.

4.19

Therefore I say to you,

Taṁ tāhaṁ, tāta kumāra, evaṁ vadāmi—

4.20

“Keep up this good practice that I have founded. Do not be my final man.”’

yena me idaṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ anuppavatteyyāsi, mā kho me tvaṁ antimapuriso ahosī’ti.

5.1

And so, after giving a prize village to the barber and carefully instructing the crown prince in kingship, King Makhādeva shaved off his hair and beard, dressed in ocher robes, and went forth from the lay life to homelessness here in this mango grove.

Atha kho, ānanda, rājā maghadevo kappakassa gāmavaraṁ datvā jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ sādhukaṁ rajje samanusāsitvā imasmiṁyeva maghadevaambavane kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbaji.

5.2

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 above, below, across, everywhere, all around, he spread a heart full of love to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.

So 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 abyābajjhena pharitvā vihāsi.

5.3

He meditated spreading a heart full of compassion …

Karuṇāsahagatena cetasā …

5.4

rejoicing …

muditāsahagatena cetasā …

5.5

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 abyābajjhena pharitvā vihāsi.

6.1

For 84,000 years King Makhādeva played games as a child, for 84,000 years he acted as viceroy, for 84,000 years he ruled the realm, and for 84,000 years he led the spiritual life after going forth here in this mango grove.

Rājā kho panānanda, maghadevo caturāsītivassasahassāni kumārakīḷitaṁ kīḷi, caturāsītivassasahassāni oparajjaṁ kāresi, caturāsītivassasahassāni rajjaṁ kāresi, caturāsītivassasahassāni imasmiṁyeva maghadevaambavane agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito brahmacariyamacari.

6.2

Having developed these 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.

7.1

Then, after many years, many hundred years, many thousand years had passed, King Makhādeva’s son addressed his barber,

Atha kho rañño, ānanda, maghadevassa putto bahūnaṁ vassānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena kappakaṁ āmantesi:

7.2

‘My dear barber, when you see grey hairs growing on my head, please tell me.’

‘yadā me, samma kappaka, passeyyāsi sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni, atha kho āroceyyāsī’ti.

7.3

And all unfolded as in the case of his father.

‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, kappako rañño maghadevassa puttassa paccassosi.

7.4

Addasā kho, ānanda, kappako bahūnaṁ vassānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena rañño maghadevassa puttassa sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni.

7.5

Disvāna rañño maghadevassa puttaṁ etadavoca:

7.6

‘pātubhūtā kho devassa devadūtā;

7.7

dissanti sirasmiṁ palitāni jātānī’ti.

7.8

‘Tena hi, samma kappaka, tāni palitāni sādhukaṁ saṇḍāsena uddharitvā mama añjalismiṁ patiṭṭhāpehī’ti.

7.9

‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, kappako rañño maghadevassa puttassa paṭissutvā tāni palitāni sādhukaṁ saṇḍāsena uddharitvā rañño maghadevassa puttassa añjalismiṁ patiṭṭhāpesi.

8.1

Atha kho, ānanda, rañño maghadevassa putto kappakassa gāmavaraṁ datvā jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ āmantāpetvā etadavoca:

8.2

‘pātubhūtā kho me, tāta kumāra, devadūtā;

8.3

dissanti sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni;

8.4

bhuttā kho pana me mānusakā kāmā;

8.5

samayo dibbe kāme pariyesituṁ.

8.6

Ehi tvaṁ, tāta kumāra, imaṁ rajjaṁ paṭipajja.

8.7

Ahaṁ pana kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāmi.

8.8

8.9

Yena me idaṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ anuppavatteyyāsi, mā kho me tvaṁ antimapuriso ahosi.

8.10

Yasmiṁ kho, tāta kumāra, purisayuge vattamāne evarūpassa kalyāṇassa vattassa samucchedo hoti so tesaṁ antimapuriso hoti.

8.11

Taṁ tāhaṁ, tāta kumāra, evaṁ vadāmi—

8.12

yena me idaṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ anuppavatteyyāsi, mā kho me tvaṁ antimapuriso ahosī’ti.

9.1

Atha kho, ānanda, rañño maghadevassa putto kappakassa gāmavaraṁ datvā jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ sādhukaṁ rajje samanusāsitvā imasmiṁyeva maghadevaambavane kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbaji.

9.2

9.3

Karuṇāsahagatena cetasā …

9.4

muditāsahagatena cetasā …

9.5

9.6

Rañño kho panānanda, maghadevassa putto caturāsītivassasahassāni kumārakīḷitaṁ kīḷi, caturāsītivassasahassāni oparajjaṁ kāresi, caturāsītivassasahassāni rajjaṁ kāresi, caturāsītivassasahassāni imasmiṁyeva maghadevaambavane agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito brahmacariyamacari.

9.7

And having developed the four Brahmā meditations, when his body broke up, after death, Makhādeva’s son was reborn in a good place, a Brahmā realm.

So cattāro brahmavihāre bhāvetvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmalokūpago ahosi.

10.1

And a lineage of 84,000 kings, sons of sons of King Makhādeva, shaved off their hair and beard, dressed in ocher robes, and went forth from the lay life to homelessness here in this mango grove.

Rañño kho panānanda, maghadevassa puttapaputtakā tassa paramparā caturāsītirājasahassāni imasmiṁyeva maghadevaambavane kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajiṁsu.

10.2

They meditated spreading a heart full of love …

Te mettāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā vihariṁsu, tathā dutiyaṁ, tathā tatiyaṁ, tathā catutthaṁ; iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā vihariṁsu.

11.1

compassion …

Karuṇāsahagatena cetasā …

11.2

rejoicing …

muditāsahagatena cetasā …

11.3

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, they spread a heart full of equanimity to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.

upekkhāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā vihariṁsu, tathā dutiyaṁ, tathā tatiyaṁ, tathā catutthaṁ; iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ upekkhāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā vihariṁsu.

11.4

For 84,000 years they played games as a child, for 84,000 years they acted as viceroy, for 84,000 years they ruled the realm, and for 84,000 years they led the spiritual life after going forth here in this mango grove.

Caturāsītivassasahassāni kumārakīḷitaṁ kīḷiṁsu, caturāsītivassasahassāni oparajjaṁ kāresuṁ, caturāsītivassasahassāni rajjaṁ kāresuṁ, caturāsītivassasahassāni imasmiṁyeva maghadevaambavane agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā brahmacariyamacariṁsu.

11.5

And having developed the four Brahmā meditations, when their bodies broke up, after death, they were reborn in a good place, a Brahmā realm.

Te cattāro brahmavihāre bhāvetvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmalokūpagā ahesuṁ.

12.1

Nimi was the last of those kings, a just and principled king, a great king who stood by his duty.

Nimi tesaṁ rājā pacchimako ahosi dhammiko dhammarājā dhamme ṭhito mahārājā;

12.2

He justly treated brahmins and householders, and people of town and country.

dhammaṁ carati brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca;

12.3

And he observed the sabbath on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth of the fortnight.

uposathañca upavasati cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ aṭṭhamiñca pakkhassa.

13.1

Once upon a time, Ānanda, while the gods of the Thirty-Three were sitting together in the Hall of Justice, this discussion came up among them:

Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ sudhammāyaṁ sabhāyaṁ sannisinnānaṁ sannipatitānaṁ ayamantarākathā udapādi:

13.2

‘The people of Videha are so fortunate, so very fortunate

‘lābhā vata, bho, videhānaṁ, suladdhaṁ vata, bho, videhānaṁ,

13.3

to have Nimi as their king. He is a just and principled king, a great king who stands by his duty.

yesaṁ nimi rājā dhammiko dhammarājā dhamme ṭhito mahārājā;

13.4

He justly treats brahmins and householders, and people of town and country.

dhammaṁ carati brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca;

13.5

And he observes the sabbath on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth of the fortnight.’

uposathañca upavasati cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ aṭṭhamiñca pakkhassā’ti.

13.6

Then Sakka, lord of gods, addressed the gods of the Thirty-Three,

Atha kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo deve tāvatiṁse āmantesi:

13.7

‘Good sirs, would you like to see King Nimi?’

‘iccheyyātha no tumhe, mārisā, nimiṁ rājānaṁ daṭṭhun’ti?

13.8

‘We would.’

‘Icchāma mayaṁ, mārisa, nimiṁ rājānaṁ daṭṭhun’ti.

13.9

Now at that time it was the fifteenth day sabbath, and King Nimi had bathed his head and was sitting upstairs in the royal longhouse to observe the sabbath.

Tena kho pana, ānanda, samayena nimi rājā tadahuposathe pannarase sīsaṁnhāto uposathiko uparipāsādavaragato nisinno hoti.

13.10

Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, Sakka vanished from the Thirty-Three gods and reappeared in front of King Nimi.

Atha kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—devesu tāvatiṁsesu antarahito nimissa rañño pamukhe pāturahosi.

13.11

He said to the king,

Atha kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo nimiṁ rājānaṁ etadavoca:

13.12

‘You’re fortunate, great king, so very fortunate.

‘lābhā te, mahārāja, suladdhaṁ te, mahārāja.

13.13

The gods of the Thirty-Three were sitting together in the Hall of Justice, where they spoke very highly of you.

Devā, mahārāja, tāvatiṁsā sudhammāyaṁ sabhāyaṁ kittayamānarūpā sannisinnā:

13.14

“lābhā vata, bho, videhānaṁ, suladdhaṁ vata, bho, videhānaṁ,

13.15

yesaṁ nimi rājā dhammiko dhammarājā dhamme ṭhito mahārājā;

13.16

dhammaṁ carati brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca;

13.17

uposathañca upavasati cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ aṭṭhamiñca pakkhassā”ti.

13.18

They would like to see you.

Devā te, mahārāja, tāvatiṁsā dassanakāmā.

13.19

I shall send a chariot harnessed with a thousand thoroughbreds for you, great king.

Tassa te ahaṁ, mahārāja, sahassayuttaṁ ājaññarathaṁ pahiṇissāmi;

13.20

Mount the heavenly chariot, great king! Do not waver.’

abhiruheyyāsi, mahārāja, dibbaṁ yānaṁ avikampamāno’ti.

13.21

King Nimi consented in silence.

Adhivāsesi kho, ānanda, nimi rājā tuṇhībhāvena.

13.22

Then, knowing that the king had consented, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, Sakka vanished from King Nimi and reappeared among the Thirty-Three gods.

Atha kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo nimissa rañño adhivāsanaṁ viditvā—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—nimissa rañño pamukhe antarahito devesu tāvatiṁsesu pāturahosi.

14.1

Then Sakka, lord of gods, addressed his charioteer Mātali,

Atha kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo mātaliṁ saṅgāhakaṁ āmantesi:

14.2

‘Come, dear Mātali, harness the chariot with a thousand thoroughbreds. Then go to King Nimi and say,

‘ehi tvaṁ, samma mātali, sahassayuttaṁ ājaññarathaṁ yojetvā nimiṁ rājānaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evaṁ vadehi—

14.3

“Great king, this chariot has been sent for you by Sakka, lord of gods.

ayaṁ te, mahārāja, sahassayutto ājaññaratho sakkena devānamindena pesito;

14.4

Mount the heavenly chariot, great king! Do not waver.”’

abhiruheyyāsi, mahārāja, dibbaṁ yānaṁ avikampamāno’ti.

14.5

‘Yes, lord,’ replied Mātali. He did as Sakka asked, and said to the king,

‘Evaṁ, bhaddantavā’ti kho, ānanda, mātali saṅgāhako sakkassa devānamindassa paṭissutvā sahassayuttaṁ ājaññarathaṁ yojetvā nimiṁ rājānaṁ upasaṅkamitvā etadavoca:

14.6

‘Great king, this chariot has been sent for you by Sakka, lord of gods.

‘ayaṁ te, mahārāja, sahassayutto ājaññaratho sakkena devānamindena pesito;

14.7

Mount the heavenly chariot, great king! Do not waver.

abhiruha, mahārāja, dibbaṁ yānaṁ avikampamāno.

14.8

But which way should we go—the way of those who experience the result of bad deeds, or the way of those who experience the result of good deeds?’

Api ca, mahārāja, katamena taṁ nemi, yena vā pāpakammā pāpakānaṁ kammānaṁ vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedenti, yena vā kalyāṇakammā kalyāṇakammānaṁ vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedentī’ti?

14.9

‘Take me both ways, Mātali.’

‘Ubhayeneva maṁ, mātali, nehī’ti.

15.1

Mātali brought King Nimi to the Hall of Justice.

Sampavesesi kho, ānanda, mātali, saṅgāhako nimiṁ rājānaṁ sudhammaṁ sabhaṁ.

15.2

Sakka saw King Nimi coming off in the distance,

Addasā kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo nimiṁ rājānaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ.

15.3

and said to him:

Disvāna nimiṁ rājānaṁ etadavoca:

15.4

‘Come, great king!

‘ehi kho, mahārāja.

15.5

Welcome, great king!

Svāgataṁ, mahārāja.

15.6

The gods of the Thirty-Three who wanted to see you were sitting together in the Hall of Justice, where they spoke very highly of you.

Devā te dassanakāmā, mahārāja, tāvatiṁsā sudhammāyaṁ sabhāyaṁ kittayamānarūpā sannisinnā:

15.7

“lābhā vata, bho, videhānaṁ, suladdhaṁ vata, bho, videhānaṁ,

15.8

yesaṁ nimi rājā dhammiko dhammarājā dhamme ṭhito mahārājā;

15.9

dhammaṁ carati brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca;

15.10

uposathañca upavasati cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ aṭṭhamiñca pakkhassā”ti.

15.11

The gods of the Thirty-Three would like to see you.

Devā te, mahārāja, tāvatiṁsā dassanakāmā.

15.12

Enjoy divine glory among the gods!’

Abhirama, mahārāja, devesu devānubhāvenā’ti.

15.13

‘Enough, good sir. Send me back to Mithila right away.

‘Alaṁ, mārisa, tattheva maṁ mithilaṁ paṭinetu.

15.14

That way I shall justly treat brahmins and householders, and people of town and country.

Tathāhaṁ dhammaṁ carissāmi brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca;

15.15

And I shall observe the sabbath on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth of the fortnight.’

uposathañca upavasāmi cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ aṭṭhamiñca pakkhassā’ti.

16.1

Then Sakka, lord of gods, addressed his charioteer Mātali,

Atha kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo mātaliṁ saṅgāhakaṁ āmantesi:

16.2

‘Come, dear Mātali, harness the chariot with a thousand thoroughbreds and send King Nimi back to Mithila right away.’

‘ehi tvaṁ, samma mātali, sahassayuttaṁ ājaññarathaṁ yojetvā nimiṁ rājānaṁ tattheva mithilaṁ paṭinehī’ti.

16.3

‘Yes, lord,’ replied Mātali, and did as Sakka asked.

‘Evaṁ, bhaddantavā’ti kho, ānanda, mātali saṅgāhako sakkassa devānamindassa paṭissutvā sahassayuttaṁ ājaññarathaṁ yojetvā nimiṁ rājānaṁ tattheva mithilaṁ paṭinesi.

16.4

And there King Nimi justly treated his people, and observed the sabbath.

Tatra sudaṁ, ānanda, nimi rājā dhammaṁ carati brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca, uposathañca upavasati cātuddasiṁ pañcadasiṁ aṭṭhamiñca pakkhassāti.

16.5

Then, after many years, many hundred years, many thousand years had passed, King Nimi addressed his barber,

Atha kho, ānanda, nimi rājā bahūnaṁ vassānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena kappakaṁ āmantesi:

16.6

‘My dear barber, when you see grey hairs growing on my head, please tell me.’

‘yadā me, samma kappaka, passeyyāsi sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni, atha me āroceyyāsī’ti.

16.7

And all unfolded as before.

‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, kappako nimissa rañño paccassosi.

16.8

Addasā kho, ānanda, kappako bahūnaṁ vassānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahūnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena nimissa rañño sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni.

16.9

Disvāna nimiṁ rājānaṁ etadavoca:

16.10

‘pātubhūtā kho devassa devadūtā;

16.11

dissanti sirasmiṁ palitāni jātānī’ti.

16.12

‘Tena hi, samma kappaka, tāni palitāni sādhukaṁ saṇḍāsena uddharitvā mama añjalismiṁ patiṭṭhāpehī’ti.

16.13

‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, kappako nimissa rañño paṭissutvā tāni palitāni sādhukaṁ saṇḍāsena uddharitvā nimissa rañño añjalismiṁ patiṭṭhāpesi.

16.14

Atha kho, ānanda, nimi rājā kappakassa gāmavaraṁ datvā jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ āmantāpetvā etadavoca:

16.15

‘pātubhūtā kho me, tāta kumāra, devadūtā;

16.16

dissanti sirasmiṁ palitāni jātāni;

16.17

bhuttā kho pana me mānusakā kāmā;

16.18

samayo dibbe kāme pariyesituṁ.

16.19

Ehi tvaṁ, tāta kumāra, imaṁ rajjaṁ paṭipajja.

16.20

Ahaṁ pana kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāmi.

16.21

16.22

Yena me idaṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ anuppavatteyyāsi, mā kho me tvaṁ antimapuriso ahosi.

16.23

Yasmiṁ kho, tāta kumāra, purisayuge vattamāne evarūpassa kalyāṇassa vattassa samucchedo hoti so tesaṁ antimapuriso hoti.

16.24

Taṁ tāhaṁ, tāta kumāra, evaṁ vadāmi:

16.25

“yena me idaṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ anuppavatteyyāsi, mā kho me tvaṁ antimapuriso ahosī”’ti.

17-19.1

Atha kho, ānanda, nimi rājā kappakassa gāmavaraṁ datvā jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ sādhukaṁ rajje samanusāsitvā imasmiṁyeva maghadevaambavane kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbaji.

17-19.2

17-19.3

Karuṇāsahagatena cetasā …

17-19.4

muditāsahagatena cetasā …

17-19.5

17-19.6

Nimi kho panānanda, rājā caturāsītivassasahassāni kumārakīḷitaṁ kīḷi, caturāsītivassasahassāni oparajjaṁ kāresi, caturāsītivassasahassāni rajjaṁ kāresi, caturāsītivassasahassāni imasmiṁyeva maghadevaambavane agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito brahmacariyamacari.

17-19.7

And having developed the four Brahmā meditations, when his body broke up, after death, King Nimi was reborn in a good place, a Brahmā realm.

So cattāro brahmavihāre bhāvetvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmalokūpago ahosi.

20.1

But King Nimi had a son named Kaḷārajanaka.

Nimissa kho panānanda, rañño kaḷārajanako nāma putto ahosi.

20.2

He didn’t go forth from the lay life to homelessness.

Na so agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbaji.

20.3

He broke that good practice.

So taṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ samucchindi.

20.4

He was their final man.

So tesaṁ antimapuriso ahosi.

21.1

Ānanda, you might think,

Siyā kho pana te, ānanda, evamassa:

21.2

‘Surely King Makhādeva, by whom that good practice was founded, must have been someone else at that time?’

‘añño nūna tena samayena rājā maghadevo ahosi, yena taṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitan’ti.

21.3

But you should not see it like this.

Na kho panetaṁ, ānanda, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ.

21.4

I myself was King Makhādeva at that time.

Ahaṁ tena samayena rājā maghadevo ahosiṁ.

21.5

I was the one who founded that good practice,

Ahaṁ taṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihiniṁ, mayā taṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ;

21.6

which was kept up by those who came after.

pacchimā janatā anuppavattesi.

21.7

But that good practice doesn’t lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. It only leads as far as rebirth in the Brahmā realm.

Taṁ kho panānanda, kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ na nibbidāya na virāgāya na nirodhāya na upasamāya na abhiññāya na sambodhāya na nibbānāya saṁvattati, yāvadeva brahmalokūpapattiyā.

21.8

But now I have founded a good practice that does lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.

Idaṁ kho panānanda, etarahi mayā kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati.

21.9

And what is that good practice?

Katamañcānanda, etarahi mayā kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati?

21.10

It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is:

Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo, seyyathidaṁ—

21.11

right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samādhi.

sammādiṭṭhi, sammāsaṅkappo, sammāvācā, sammākammanto, sammāājīvo, sammāvāyāmo, sammāsati, sammāsamādhi.

21.12

This is the good practice I have now founded that leads to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.

Idaṁ kho, ānanda, etarahi mayā kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati.

21.13

Ānanda, I say to you:

Taṁ vo ahaṁ, ānanda, evaṁ vadāmi:

21.14

‘You all should keep up this good practice that I have founded. Do not be my final men.’

‘yena me idaṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ anuppavatteyyātha, mā kho me tumhe antimapurisā ahuvattha’.

21.15

Whatever generation is current when such good practice is broken, he is their final man.

Yasmiṁ kho, ānanda, purisayuge vattamāne evarūpassa kalyāṇassa vattassa samucchedo hoti so tesaṁ antimapuriso hoti.

21.16

Ānanda, I say to you:

Taṁ vo ahaṁ, ānanda, evaṁ vadāmi:

21.17

‘You all should keep up this good practice that I have founded. Do not be my final men.’”

‘yena me idaṁ kalyāṇaṁ vattaṁ nihitaṁ anuppavatteyyātha, mā kho me tumhe antimapurisā ahuvatthā’”ti.

21.18

That is what the Buddha said.

Idamavoca bhagavā.

21.19

Satisfied, Venerable Ānanda was happy with what the Buddha said.

Attamano āyasmā ānando bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandīti.

21.20

Maghadevasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ tatiyaṁ.