SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 6 Connected Discourses With Brahmā Gods – Brahmasaṁyutta > SN 6.13 At Andhakavinda

Linked Discourses 6.13 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 6.13

Chapter Two – 2. Dutiyavagga

SN 6.13 At Andhakavinda – Andhakavindasutta

At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Magadhans at Andhakavinda.

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā māgadhesu viharati andhakavinde.

Now at that time the Buddha was meditating in the open during the dark of night, while a gentle rain drizzled down.

Tena kho pana samayena bhagavā rattandhakāratimisāyaṁ abbhokāse nisinno hoti, devo ca ekamekaṁ phusāyati.

Then, late at night, the beautiful Brahmā Sahampati, lighting up the entirety of Andhakavinda, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side,

Atha kho brahmā sahampati abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇo kevalakappaṁ andhakavindaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.

and recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho brahmā sahampati bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

“One should frequent secluded lodgings,

“Sevetha pantāni senāsanāni,

and practice to be released from fetters.

Careyya saṁyojanavippamokkhā;

If you don’t find enjoyment there,

Sace ratiṁ nādhigaccheyya tattha,

live in the Saṅgha, guarded and mindful.

Saṅghe vase rakkhitatto satīmā.

Walking for alms from family to family,

Kulākulaṁ piṇḍikāya caranto,

with senses guarded, alert and mindful.

Indriyagutto nipako satimā;

One should frequent secluded lodgings,

Sevetha pantāni senāsanāni,

free of fear, freed in the fearless.

Bhayā pamutto abhaye vimutto.

Where dreadful serpents slither,

Yattha bheravā sarīsapā,

where the lightning flashes and the sky thunders

Vijju sañcarati thanayati devo;

in the dark of the night;

Andhakāratimisāya rattiyā,

there meditates a bhikkhu, free of goosebumps.

Nisīdi tattha bhikkhu vigatalomahaṁso.

For this has in fact been seen by me,

Idañhi jātu me diṭṭhaṁ,

it isn’t just what the testament says.

nayidaṁ itihītihaṁ;

Within a single spiritual dispensation

Ekasmiṁ brahmacariyasmiṁ,

a thousand are conquerors of Death.

sahassaṁ maccuhāyinaṁ.

And of trainees there are more than five hundred,

Bhiyyo pañcasatā sekkhā,

and ten times ten tens;

dasā ca dasadhā dasa;

all are stream-enterers,

Sabbe sotasamāpannā,

freed from rebirth in the animal realm.

atiracchānagāmino.

And as for other people

Athāyaṁ itarā pajā,

who I think have shared in merit—

puññabhāgāti me mano;

I couldn’t even number them,

Saṅkhātuṁ nopi sakkomi,

for fear of speaking falsely.”

musāvādassa ottapan”ti.