SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 2 Connected Discourses on Gods – Devaputtasaṁyutta > SN 2.22 With Khema

Linked Discourses 2.22 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 2.22

3. Various Sectarians – 3. Nānātitthiyavagga

SN 2.22 With Khema – Khemasutta

Standing to one side, the god Khema recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho khemo devaputto bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

“Witless fools behave

“Caranti bālā dummedhā,

like their own worst enemies,

amitteneva attanā;

doing wicked deeds

Karontā pāpakaṁ kammaṁ,

that ripen as bitter fruit.

yaṁ hoti kaṭukapphalaṁ.

It’s not good to do a deed

Na taṁ kammaṁ kataṁ sādhu,

that plagues you later on,

yaṁ katvā anutappati;

for which you weep and wail,

Yassa assumukho rodaṁ,

as its effect stays with you.

vipākaṁ paṭisevati.

It is good to do a deed

Tañca kammaṁ kataṁ sādhu,

that doesn’t plague you later on,

yaṁ katvā nānutappati;

that gladdens and cheers,

Yassa patīto sumano,

as its effect stays with you.”

vipākaṁ paṭisevati.

“As a precaution, you should do

Paṭikacceva taṁ kayirā,

what you know is for your own welfare.

yaṁ jaññā hitamattano;

A thinker, a wise one would not proceed

Na sākaṭikacintāya,

thinking like the cart driver.

mantā dhīro parakkame.

Suppose a cart driver leaves the highway,

Yathā sākaṭiko maṭṭhaṁ,

so even and well compacted.

samaṁ hitvā mahāpathaṁ;

They enter upon a rough road,

Visamaṁ maggamāruyha,

and fret when their axle breaks.

akkhacchinnova jhāyati.

So too, an idiot departs the good

Evaṁ dhammā apakkamma,

to follow what’s against the good.

adhammamanuvattiya;

Fallen in the jaws of death,

Mando maccumukhaṁ patto,

they fret like their axle’s broken.”

akkhacchinnova jhāyatī”ti.