SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 3 Connected Discourses With King Pasenadi of Kosala – Kosalasaṁyutta > SN 3.10 Shackles

Linked Discourses 3.10 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 3.10

1. Shackles – 1. Paṭhamavagga

SN 3.10 Shackles – Bandhanasutta

Now at that time a large group of people had been put in shackles by King Pasenadi of Kosala—some in ropes, some in manacles, some in chains.

Tena kho pana samayena raññā pasenadinā kosalena mahājanakāyo bandhāpito hoti, appekacce rajjūhi appekacce andūhi appekacce saṅkhalikāhi.

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, raññā pasenadinā kosalena mahājanakāyo bandhāpito, appekacce rajjūhi appekacce andūhi appekacce saṅkhalikāhī”ti.

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

Atha kho bhagavā etamatthaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

“The wise say that shackle is not strong

“Na taṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā,

that’s made of iron, wood, or knots.

Yadāyasaṁ dārujaṁ pabbajañca;

But obsession with jeweled earrings,

Sārattarattā maṇikuṇḍalesu,

concern for your partners and children:

Puttesu dāresu ca yā apekkhā.

this, say the wise, is a strong shackle

Etaṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā,

dragging the indulgent down, hard to escape.

Ohārinaṁ sithilaṁ duppamuñcaṁ;

Having cut this one too they go forth,

Etampi chetvāna paribbajanti,

unconcerned, having given up sensual pleasures.”

Anapekkhino kāmasukhaṁ pahāyā”ti.

Paṭhamo vaggo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Daharo puriso jarā,

piyaṁ attānarakkhito;