SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 9 Connected Discourses in the Woods – Vanasaṁyutta > SN 9.4 Several Mendicants Set Out Wandering

Linked Discourses 9.4 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 9.4

1. In the Woods – 1. Vanavagga

SN 9.4 Several Bhikkhū Set Out Wandering – Sambahulasutta

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

Ekaṁ samayaṁ sambahulā bhikkhū kosalesu viharanti aññatarasmiṁ vanasaṇḍe.

Then after completing the three months of the rainy season residence, those bhikkhū set out wandering.

Atha kho te bhikkhū vassaṁvuṭṭhā temāsaccayena cārikaṁ pakkamiṁsu.

Not seeing those bhikkhū, the deity haunting that forest cried. And on that occasion they recited this verse:

Atha kho yā tasmiṁ vanasaṇḍe adhivatthā devatā te bhikkhū apassantī paridevamānā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Seeing so many vacated seats today,

“Arati viya mejja khāyati,

it seems to me that they must have become dissatisfied.

Bahuke disvāna vivitte āsane;

They were so learned, such brilliant speakers!

Te cittakathā bahussutā,

Where have these disciples of Gotama gone?”

Kome gotamasāvakā gatā”ti.

When they had spoken, another deity replied with this verse:

Evaṁ vutte, aññatarā devatā taṁ devataṁ gāthāya paccabhāsi:

“They’ve gone to Magadha, they’ve gone to Kosala,

“Māgadhaṁ gatā kosalaṁ gatā,

and some are in the Vajjian lands.

Ekacciyā pana vajjibhūmiyā;

Like deer that wander free of ties,

Magā viya asaṅgacārino,

the bhikkhū live with no abode.”

Aniketā viharanti bhikkhavo”ti.