SN 45-56 The Group of Connected Discourses on the Path – Mahāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 51 Linked Discourses on the Bases of Psychic Power – Iddhipādasaṁyutta > SN 51.33–44 The Ganges River, Etc.

Linked Discourses 51.33–44 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 51.33–44

4. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges – 4. Gaṅgāpeyyālavagga

SN 51.33–44 The Ganges River, Etc. – Gaṅgānadīādisutta

“Bhikkhū, the Ganges river slants, slopes, and inclines to the east.

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gaṅgā nadī pācīnaninnā pācīnapoṇā pācīnapabbhārā;

In the same way, a bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the four bases of psychic power slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.

evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro iddhipāde bhāvento cattāro iddhipāde bahulīkaronto nibbānaninno hoti nibbānapoṇo nibbānapabbhāro.

And how does a bhikkhu who develops the four bases of psychic power slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro iddhipāde bhāvento cattāro iddhipāde bahulīkaronto nibbānaninno hoti nibbānapoṇo nibbānapabbhāro?

It’s when a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic power that has samādhi due to enthusiasm …

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti,

energy …

vīriyasamādhi …pe…

mental development …

cittasamādhi …

inquiry, and active effort.

vīmaṁsāsamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti.

In the same way, a bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the four bases of psychic power slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro iddhipāde bhāvento cattāro iddhipāde bahulīkaronto nibbānaninno hoti nibbānapoṇo nibbānapabbhāro”ti.

Dvādasamaṁ.

(To be expanded for each of the different rivers as in SN 45.91–102.)

Gaṅgāpeyyālavaggo catuttho.

Six on slanting to the east,

Tassuddānaṁ

and six on slanting to the ocean;

Cha pācīnato ninnā,

these two sixes make twelve,

cha ninnā ca samuddato;

and that’s how this chapter is recited.

Dvete cha dvādasa honti,