SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 9 Connected Discourses in the Woods – Vanasaṁyutta > SN 9.8 The Mistress of the House

Linked Discourses 9.8 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 9.8

1. In the Woods – 1. Vanavagga

SN 9.8 The Mistress of the House – Kulagharaṇīsutta

At one time one of the monks 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 monk had become too closely involved in the affairs of a certain family.

Tena kho pana samayena so bhikkhu aññatarasmiṁ kule ativelaṁ ajjhogāḷhappatto viharati.

The deity haunting that forest had compassion for that monk, wanting what’s best for him. So, wanting to stir him up, they manifested in the appearance of the mistress of that family, approached the monk, and addressed him in verse:

Atha kho yā tasmiṁ vanasaṇḍe adhivatthā devatā tassa bhikkhuno anukampikā atthakāmā taṁ bhikkhuṁ saṁvejetukāmā yā tasmiṁ kule kulagharaṇī, tassā vaṇṇaṁ abhinimminitvā yena so bhikkhu tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ bhikkhuṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

“On the banks of the rivers and in the guest houses,

“Nadītīresu saṇṭhāne,

in meeting halls and highways,

sabhāsu rathiyāsu ca;

people come together and gossip:

Janā saṅgamma mantenti,

what’s going on between you and me?”

mañca tañca kimantaran”ti.

“There are lots of annoying sounds

“Bahūhi saddā paccūhā,

that an austere ascetic must endure.

khamitabbā tapassinā;

But they mustn’t be dismayed by that,

Na tena maṅku hotabbaṁ,

for that’s not what defiles you.

na hi tena kilissati.

If you’re startled by every little sound,

Yo ca saddaparittāsī,

like a wind-deer in the wood,

vane vātamigo yathā;

they’ll call you ‘flighty minded’;

Lahucittoti taṁ āhu,

and your practice won’t succeed.”

nāssa sampajjate vatan”ti.