SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 1 Connected Discourses With Deities – Devatāsaṁyutta > SN 1.41 On Fire

Linked Discourses 1.41 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 1.41

5. On Fire – 5. Ādittavagga

SN 1.41 On Fire – Ādittasutta

So I have heard.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

Then, late at night, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side,

Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.

and recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho sā devatā bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

“When your house is on fire,

“Ādittasmiṁ agārasmiṁ,

you rescue the pot

yaṁ nīharati bhājanaṁ;

that’s useful,

Taṁ tassa hoti atthāya,

not the one that’s burnt.

no ca yaṁ tattha ḍayhati.

And as the world is on fire

Evaṁ ādittako loko,

with old age and death,

jarāya maraṇena ca;

you should rescue by giving,

Nīharetheva dānena,

for what’s given is rescued.

dinnaṁ hoti sunīhataṁ.

What’s given has happiness as its fruit,

Dinnaṁ sukhaphalaṁ hoti,

but not what isn’t given.

nādinnaṁ hoti taṁ tathā;

Bandits take it, or rulers,

Corā haranti rājāno,

it’s consumed by fire, or lost.

aggi ḍahati nassati.

Then in the end this corpse is cast off,

Atha antena jahati,

along with all your possessions.

Sarīraṁ sapariggahaṁ;

Knowing this, a clever person

Etadaññāya medhāvī,

would enjoy what they have and also give it away.

Bhuñjetha ca dadetha ca;

After giving and using according to their means,

Datvā ca bhutvā ca yathānubhāvaṁ,

blameless, they go to a heavenly place.”

Anindito saggamupeti ṭhānan”ti.