SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 3 Connected Discourses With King Pasenadi of Kosala – Kosalasaṁyutta > SN 3.9 Sacrifice

Linked Discourses 3.9 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 3.9

1. Shackles – 1. Paṭhamavagga

SN 3.9 Sacrifice – Yaññasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

Now at that time a big sacrifice had been set up for King Pasenadi of Kosala. Five hundred chief bulls, five hundred bullocks, five hundred heifers, five hundred goats, and five hundred rams had been led to the pillar for the sacrifice.

Tena kho pana samayena rañño pasenadissa kosalassa mahāyañño paccupaṭṭhito hoti, pañca ca usabhasatāni pañca ca vacchatarasatāni pañca ca vacchatarisatāni pañca ca ajasatāni pañca ca urabbhasatāni thūṇūpanītāni honti yaññatthāya.

His bondservants, employees, and workers did their jobs under threat of punishment and danger, weeping with tearful faces.

Yepissa te honti dāsāti vā pessāti vā kammakarāti vā, tepi daṇḍatajjitā bhayatajjitā assumukhā rudamānā parikammāni karonti.

Then several bhikkhū robed up in the morning and, taking their bowls and robes, entered Sāvatthī for alms.

Atha kho sambahulā bhikkhū pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pavisiṁsu.

Then, after the meal, when they returned from almsround, they went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what was happening.

Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkantā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:

“idha, bhante, rañño pasenadissa kosalassa mahāyañño paccupaṭṭhito hoti, pañca ca usabhasatāni pañca ca vacchatarasatāni pañca ca vacchatarisatāni pañca ca ajasatāni pañca ca urabbhasatāni thūṇūpanītāni honti yaññatthāya.

Yepissa te honti dāsāti vā pessāti vā kammakarāti vā, tepi daṇḍatajjitā bhayatajjitā assumukhā rudamānā parikammāni karontī”ti.

Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha recited these verses:

Atha kho bhagavā etamatthaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

“Horse sacrifice, human sacrifice,

“Assamedhaṁ purisamedhaṁ,

the sacrifices of the ‘stick-casting’,

sammāpāsaṁ vājapeyyaṁ;

the ‘royal soma drinking’, and the ‘unbarred’—

Niraggaḷaṁ mahārambhā,

these huge violent sacrifices yield no great fruit.

na te honti mahapphalā.

The great sages of good conduct

Ajeḷakā ca gāvo ca,

don’t attend sacrifices

vividhā yattha haññare;

where goats, sheep, and cattle

Na taṁ sammaggatā yaññaṁ,

and various creatures are killed.

upayanti mahesino.

But the great sages of good conduct

Ye ca yaññā nirārambhā,

do attend non-violent sacrifices

yajanti anukulaṁ sadā;

of regular family tradition,

Ajeḷakā ca gāvo ca,

where goats, sheep, and cattle,

vividhā nettha haññare;

and various creatures aren’t killed.

Etaṁ sammaggatā yaññaṁ,

upayanti mahesino.

A clever person should sacrifice like this,

Etaṁ yajetha medhāvī,

for this sacrifice is very fruitful.

eso yañño mahapphalo;

For a sponsor of sacrifices like this,

Etañhi yajamānassa,

things get better, not worse.

seyyo hoti na pāpiyo;

Such a sacrifice is truly abundant,

Yañño ca vipulo hoti,

and even the deities are pleased.”

pasīdanti ca devatā”ti.