SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 9 Connected Discourses in the Woods – Vanasaṁyutta > SN 9.1 Seclusion

Linked Discourses 9.1 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 9.1

1. In the Woods – 1. Vanavagga

SN 9.1 Seclusion – Vivekasutta

So I have heard.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

At one time one of the bhikkhū was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove.

ekaṁ samayaṁ aññataro bhikkhu kosalesu viharati aññatarasmiṁ vanasaṇḍe.

Now at that time that bhikkhu, during their day’s meditation, was thinking bad, unskillful thoughts to do with the lay life.

Tena kho pana samayena so bhikkhu divāvihāragato pāpake akusale vitakke vitakketi gehanissite.

The deity haunting that forest had compassion for that bhikkhu, and wanted what’s best for them. So they approached that bhikkhu wanting to stir them up, and addressed them in verse:

Atha kho yā tasmiṁ vanasaṇḍe adhivatthā devatā tassa bhikkhuno anukampikā atthakāmā taṁ bhikkhuṁ saṁvejetukāmā yena so bhikkhu tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ bhikkhuṁ gāthāhi ajjhabhāsi:

“You entered the woods desiring seclusion,

“Vivekakāmosi vanaṁ paviṭṭho,

yet your mind strays to outward things.

Atha te mano niccharatī bahiddhā;

As a person, you should dispel the desire for people.

Jano janasmiṁ vinayassu chandaṁ,

Then you’ll be happy, free of greed.

Tato sukhī hohisi vītarāgo.

Mindful, give up discontent;

Aratiṁ pajahāsi sato,

let us remind you of the way of the good.

Bhavāsi sataṁ taṁ sārayāmase;

The dusty abyss is so hard to cross;

Pātālarajo hi duttaro,

don’t let sensual dust drag you down.

Mā taṁ kāmarajo avāhari.

Just as a bird strewn with dirt

Sakuṇo yathā paṁsukunthito,

sheds that clingy dust with a shake;

Vidhunaṁ pātayati sitaṁ rajaṁ;

so too, an energetic, mindful bhikkhu

Evaṁ bhikkhu padhānavā satimā,

sheds that clingy dust with a shake.”

Vidhunaṁ pātayati sitaṁ rajan”ti.

Impelled by that deity, that bhikkhu was struck with a sense of urgency.

Atha kho so bhikkhu tāya devatāya saṁvejito saṁvegamāpādīti.