SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 7 Connected Discourses with Brahmins – Brāhmaṇasaṁyutta > SN 7.8 With Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper

Linked Discourses 7.8 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 7.8

1. The Perfected Ones – 1. Arahantavagga

SN 7.8 With Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper – Aggikasutta

At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.

Now at that time ghee and milk-rice had been set out for the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper, who thought,

Tena kho pana samayena aggikabhāradvājassa brāhmaṇassa sappinā pāyaso sannihito hoti:

“I will serve the sacred flame! I will perform the fire sacrifice!”

“aggiṁ juhissāmi, aggihuttaṁ paricarissāmī”ti.

Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Rājagaha for alms.

Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya rājagahaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.

Wandering indiscriminately for almsfood in Rājagaha, he approached Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper’s home and stood to one side.

Rājagahe sapadānaṁ piṇḍāya caramāno yena aggikabhāradvājassa brāhmaṇassa nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.

Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper saw him standing for alms

Addasā kho aggikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ piṇḍāya ṭhitaṁ.

and addressed him in verse:

Disvāna bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

“One who’s accomplished in the three knowledges,

“Tīhi vijjāhi sampanno,

of good lineage and ample learning,

jātimā sutavā bahū;

accomplished in knowledge and conduct

Vijjācaraṇasampanno,

may enjoy this milk-rice.”

somaṁ bhuñjeyya pāyasan”ti.

“Even one who mutters many prayers

“Bahumpi palapaṁ jappaṁ,

is no brahmin by birth

na jaccā hoti brāhmaṇo;

if they’re filthy and corrupt within,

Antokasambu saṅkiliṭṭho,

with a following gained by fraud.

kuhanāparivārito.

But one who knows their past lives,

Pubbenivāsaṁ yo vedī,

and sees heaven and places of loss,

saggāpāyañca passati;

and has attained the ending of rebirth,

Atho jātikkhayaṁ patto,

that sage has perfect insight.

abhiññāvosito muni.

Because of these three knowledges

Etāhi tīhi vijjāhi,

a brahmin is a master of the three knowledges.

tevijjo hoti brāhmaṇo;

Accomplished in knowledge and conduct,

Vijjācaraṇasampanno,

they may enjoy this milk-rice.”

somaṁ bhuñjeyya pāyasan”ti.

“Eat, Master Gotama!

“Bhuñjatu bhavaṁ gotamo.

you are truly a brahmin.”

Brāhmaṇo bhavan”ti.

“Food enchanted by a spell isn’t fit for me to eat.

“Gāthābhigītaṁ me abhojaneyyaṁ,

That’s not the principle of those who see, brahmin.

Sampassataṁ brāhmaṇa nesa dhammo;

The Buddhas reject things enchanted with spells.

Gāthābhigītaṁ panudanti buddhā,

Since there is such a principle, brahmin, that’s how they live.

Dhamme sati brāhmaṇa vuttiresā.

Serve with other food and drink

Aññena ca kevalinaṁ mahesiṁ,

the consummate one, the great hermit,

Khīṇāsavaṁ kukkuccavūpasantaṁ;

with defilements ended and remorse stilled.

Annena pānena upaṭṭhahassu,

For he is the field for the seeker of merit.”

Khettañhi taṁ puññapekkhassa hotī”ti.

When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper said to the Buddha,

Evaṁ vutte, aggikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Excellent, Master Gotama! …” …

“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe…

And Venerable Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper became one of the perfected.

aññataro ca panāyasmā aggikabhāradvājo arahataṁ ahosīti.