Dīgha Nikāya 17

Translators: sujato

Long Discourses 17

Mahāsudassanasutta

King Mahāsudassana

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—
So I have heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kusinārāyaṁ viharati upavattane mallānaṁ sālavane antarena yamakasālānaṁ parinibbānasamaye.
At one time the Buddha was staying between a pair of sal trees in the sal forest of the Mallas at Upavattana near Kusinārā at the time of his full extinguishment.

Atha kho āyasmā ānando yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā ānando bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
Then Venerable Ānanda went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,

“mā, bhante, bhagavā imasmiṁ khuddakanagarake ujjaṅgalanagarake sākhānagarake parinibbāyi.
“Sir, please don’t be fully extinguished in this little hamlet, this jungle hamlet, this branch hamlet.

Santi, bhante, aññāni mahānagarāni.
There are other great cities such as

Seyyathidaṁ—campā, rājagahaṁ, sāvatthi, sāketaṁ, kosambī, bārāṇasī;
Campā, Rājagaha, Sāvatthī, Sāketa, Kosambī, and Varanasi.

ettha bhagavā parinibbāyatu.
Let the Buddha be fully extinguished there.

Ettha bahū khattiyamahāsālā brāhmaṇamahāsālā gahapatimahāsālā tathāgate abhippasannā, te tathāgatassa sarīrapūjaṁ karissantī”ti.
There are many well-to-do aristocrats, brahmins, and householders there who are devoted to the Buddha. They will perform the rites of venerating the Realized One’s corpse.”

“Mā hevaṁ, ānanda, avaca; mā hevaṁ, ānanda, avaca:
“Don’t say that, Ānanda! Don’t say that

‘khuddakanagarakaṁ ujjaṅgalanagarakaṁ sākhānagarakan’ti.
this is a little hamlet, a jungle hamlet, a branch hamlet.

1. Kusāvatīrājadhānī
1. The Capital City of Kusāvatī

Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano nāma ahosi khattiyo muddhāvasitto cāturanto vijitāvī janapadatthāvariyappatto.
Once upon a time there was a king named Mahāsudassana whose dominion extended to all four sides, and who achieved stability in the country.

Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa ayaṁ kusinārā kusāvatī nāma rājadhānī ahosi.
His capital was this Kusinārā, which at the time was named Kusāvatī.

Puratthimena ca pacchimena ca dvādasayojanāni āyāmena, uttarena ca dakkhiṇena ca sattayojanāni vitthārena.
It stretched for twelve leagues from east to west, and seven leagues from north to south.

Kusāvatī, ānanda, rājadhānī iddhā ceva ahosi phītā ca bahujanā ca ākiṇṇamanussā ca subhikkhā ca.
The royal capital of Kusāvatī was successful, prosperous, populous, full of people, with plenty of food.

Seyyathāpi, ānanda, devānaṁ āḷakamandā nāma rājadhānī iddhā ceva hoti phītā ca bahujanā ca ākiṇṇayakkhā ca subhikkhā ca;
It was just like Āḷakamandā, the royal capital of the gods, which is successful, prosperous, populous, full of spirits, with plenty of food.

evameva kho, ānanda, kusāvatī rājadhānī iddhā ceva ahosi phītā ca bahujanā ca ākiṇṇamanussā ca subhikkhā ca.

Kusāvatī, ānanda, rājadhānī dasahi saddehi avivittā ahosi divā ceva rattiñca, seyyathidaṁ—
Kusāvatī was never free of ten sounds by day or night, namely:

hatthisaddena assasaddena rathasaddena bherisaddena mudiṅgasaddena vīṇāsaddena gītasaddena saṅkhasaddena sammasaddena pāṇitāḷasaddena ‘asnātha pivatha khādathā’ti dasamena saddena.
the sound of elephants, horses, chariots, drums, clay drums, arched harps, singing, horns, gongs, and handbells; and the cry, ‘Eat, drink, be merry!’ as the tenth.

Kusāvatī, ānanda, rājadhānī sattahi pākārehi parikkhittā ahosi.
Kusāvatī was encircled by seven ramparts:

Eko pākāro sovaṇṇamayo, eko rūpiyamayo, eko veḷuriyamayo, eko phalikamayo, eko lohitaṅkamayo, eko masāragallamayo, eko sabbaratanamayo.
one made of gold, one made of silver, one made of beryl, one made of crystal, one made of ruby, one made of emerald, and one made of all precious things.

Kusāvatiyā, ānanda, rājadhāniyā catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ dvārāni ahesuṁ.
It had four gates,

Ekaṁ dvāraṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ.
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.

Ekekasmiṁ dvāre satta satta esikā nikhātā ahesuṁ tiporisaṅgā tiporisanikhātā dvādasaporisā ubbedhena.
At each gate there were seven pillars, three fathoms deep and four fathoms high,

Ekā esikā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā, ekā lohitaṅkamayā, ekā masāragallamayā, ekā sabbaratanamayā.
made of gold, silver, beryl, crystal, ruby, emerald, and all precious things.

Kusāvatī, ānanda, rājadhānī sattahi tālapantīhi parikkhittā ahosi.
It was surrounded by seven rows of palm trees,

Ekā tālapanti sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā, ekā lohitaṅkamayā, ekā masāragallamayā, ekā sabbaratanamayā.
made of gold, silver, beryl, crystal, ruby, emerald, and all precious things.

Sovaṇṇamayassa tālassa sovaṇṇamayo khandho ahosi, rūpiyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The golden palms had trunks of gold, and leaves and fruits of silver.

Rūpiyamayassa tālassa rūpiyamayo khandho ahosi, sovaṇṇamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The silver palms had trunks of silver, and leaves and fruits of gold.

Veḷuriyamayassa tālassa veḷuriyamayo khandho ahosi, phalikamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The beryl palms had trunks of beryl, and leaves and fruits of crystal.

Phalikamayassa tālassa phalikamayo khandho ahosi, veḷuriyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The crystal palms had trunks of crystal, and leaves and fruits of beryl.

Lohitaṅkamayassa tālassa lohitaṅkamayo khandho ahosi, masāragallamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The ruby palms had trunks of ruby, and leaves and fruits of emerald.

Masāragallamayassa tālassa masāragallamayo khandho ahosi, lohitaṅkamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The emerald palms had trunks of emerald, and leaves and fruits of ruby.

Sabbaratanamayassa tālassa sabbaratanamayo khandho ahosi, sabbaratanamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The palms of all precious things had trunks of all precious things, and leaves and fruits of all precious things.

Tāsaṁ kho panānanda, tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca.
When those rows of palm trees were blown by the wind they sounded graceful, tantalizing, sensuous, lovely, and intoxicating,

Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pañcaṅgikassa tūriyassa suvinītassa suppaṭitāḷitassa sukusalehi samannāhatassa saddo hoti vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca;
like a quintet made up of skilled musicians who had practiced well and kept excellent rhythm.

evameva kho, ānanda, tāsaṁ tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca.

Ye kho panānanda, tena samayena kusāvatiyā rājadhāniyā dhuttā ahesuṁ soṇḍā pipāsā, te tāsaṁ tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddena paricāresuṁ.
And any addicts, carousers, or drunkards in Kusāvatī at that time were entertained by that sound.

2. Sattaratanasamannāgata
2. The Seven Treasures

2.1. Cakkaratana
2.1. The Wheel-Treasure

Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano sattahi ratanehi samannāgato ahosi catūhi ca iddhīhi.
King Mahāsudassana possessed seven treasures and four blessings.

Katamehi sattahi?
What seven?

Idhānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa tadahuposathe pannarase sīsaṁnhātassa uposathikassa uparipāsādavaragatassa
On a fifteenth day sabbath, King Mahāsudassana had bathed his head and gone upstairs in the royal longhouse to observe the sabbath.

dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pāturahosi sahassāraṁ sanemikaṁ sanābhikaṁ sabbākāraparipūraṁ.
And the heavenly wheel-treasure appeared to him, with a thousand spokes, with rim and hub, complete in every detail.

Disvā rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
Seeing this, the king thought,

‘sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ: “yassa rañño khattiyassa muddhāvasittassa tadahuposathe pannarase sīsaṁnhātassa uposathikassa uparipāsādavaragatassa dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pātubhavati sahassāraṁ sanemikaṁ sanābhikaṁ sabbākāraparipūraṁ, so hoti rājā cakkavattī”ti.
‘I have heard that when the heavenly wheel-treasure appears to a king in this way, he becomes a wheel-turning monarch.

Assaṁ nu kho ahaṁ rājā cakkavattī’ti.
Am I then a wheel-turning monarch?’

Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano uṭṭhāyāsanā ekaṁsaṁ uttarāsaṅgaṁ karitvā vāmena hatthena suvaṇṇabhiṅkāraṁ gahetvā dakkhiṇena hatthena cakkaratanaṁ abbhukkiri:
Then King Mahāsudassana, rising from his seat and arranging his robe over one shoulder, took a ceremonial vase in his left hand and besprinkled the wheel-treasure with his right hand, saying:

‘pavattatu bhavaṁ cakkaratanaṁ, abhivijinātu bhavaṁ cakkaratanan’ti.
‘Roll forth, O wheel-treasure! Triumph, O wheel-treasure!’

Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, cakkaratanaṁ puratthimaṁ disaṁ pavatti, anvadeva rājā mahāsudassano saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya, yasmiṁ kho panānanda, padese cakkaratanaṁ patiṭṭhāsi, tattha rājā mahāsudassano vāsaṁ upagacchi saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya.
Then the wheel-treasure rolled towards the east. And the king followed it together with his army of four divisions. In whatever place the wheel-treasure stood still, there the king came to stay together with his army.

Ye kho panānanda, puratthimāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu:
And any opposing rulers of the eastern quarter came to him and said,

‘ehi kho, mahārāja, svāgataṁ te, mahārāja, sakaṁ te, mahārāja, anusāsa, mahārājā’ti.
‘Come, great king! Welcome, great king! We are yours, great king, instruct us.’

Rājā mahāsudassano evamāha:
The king said,

‘pāṇo na hantabbo, adinnaṁ na ādātabbaṁ, kāmesu micchā na caritabbā, musā na bhaṇitabbā, majjaṁ na pātabbaṁ, yathābhuttañca bhuñjathā’ti.
‘Do not kill living creatures. Do not steal. Do not commit sexual misconduct. Do not lie. Do not drink liquor. Maintain the current level of taxation.’

Ye kho panānanda, puratthimāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rañño mahāsudassanassa anuyantā ahesuṁ.
And so the opposing rulers of the eastern quarter became his vassals.

Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, cakkaratanaṁ puratthimaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā dakkhiṇaṁ disaṁ pavatti …pe…
Then the wheel-treasure, having plunged into the eastern ocean and emerged again, rolled towards the south. …

dakkhiṇaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā pacchimaṁ disaṁ pavatti …pe…
Having plunged into the southern ocean and emerged again, it rolled towards the west. …

pacchimaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā uttaraṁ disaṁ pavatti, anvadeva rājā mahāsudassano saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya.
Having plunged into the western ocean and emerged again, it rolled towards the north, followed by the king together with his army of four divisions.

Yasmiṁ kho panānanda, padese cakkaratanaṁ patiṭṭhāsi, tattha rājā mahāsudassano vāsaṁ upagacchi saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya.
In whatever place the wheel-treasure stood still, there the king came to stay together with his army.

Ye kho panānanda, uttarāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu:
And any opposing rulers of the northern quarter came to him and said,

‘ehi kho, mahārāja, svāgataṁ te, mahārāja, sakaṁ te, mahārāja, anusāsa, mahārājā’ti.
‘Come, great king! Welcome, great king! We are yours, great king, instruct us.’

Rājā mahāsudassano evamāha:
The king said,

Ye kho panānanda, uttarāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rañño mahāsudassanassa anuyantā ahesuṁ.
And so the opposing rulers of the northern quarter became his vassals.

Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, cakkaratanaṁ samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ abhivijinitvā kusāvatiṁ rājadhāniṁ paccāgantvā rañño mahāsudassanassa antepuradvāre atthakaraṇapamukhe akkhāhataṁ maññe aṭṭhāsi rañño mahāsudassanassa antepuraṁ upasobhayamānaṁ.
And then the wheel-treasure, having triumphed over this land surrounded by ocean, returned to the royal capital. There it stood still by the gate to the royal compound at the High Court as if fixed to an axle, illuminating the royal compound.

Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pāturahosi.
Such is the wheel-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

2.2. Hatthiratana
2.2. The Elephant-Treasure

Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa hatthiratanaṁ pāturahosi
Next, the elephant-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

sabbaseto sattappatiṭṭho iddhimā vehāsaṅgamo uposatho nāma nāgarājā.
It was an all-white sky-walker with psychic power, touching the ground in seven places, a king of elephants named Sabbath.

Taṁ disvā rañño mahāsudassanassa cittaṁ pasīdi:
Seeing him, the king was impressed,

‘bhaddakaṁ vata bho hatthiyānaṁ, sace damathaṁ upeyyā’ti.
‘This would truly be a fine elephant vehicle, if he would submit to taming.’

Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, hatthiratanaṁ—seyyathāpi nāma gandhahatthājāniyo dīgharattaṁ suparidanto; evameva damathaṁ upagacchi.
Then the elephant-treasure submitted to taming, as if he was a fine thoroughbred elephant that had been tamed for a long time.

Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tameva hatthiratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno pubbaṇhasamayaṁ abhiruhitvā samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ anuyāyitvā kusāvatiṁ rājadhāniṁ paccāgantvā pātarāsamakāsi.
Once it so happened that King Mahāsudassana, testing that same elephant-treasure, mounted him in the morning and traversed the land surrounded by ocean before returning to the royal capital in time for breakfast.

Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ hatthiratanaṁ pāturahosi.
Such is the elephant-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

2.3. Assaratana
2.3. The Horse-Treasure

Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa assaratanaṁ pāturahosi
Next, the horse-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

sabbaseto kāḷasīso muñjakeso iddhimā vehāsaṅgamo valāhako nāma assarājā.
It was an all-white sky-walker with psychic power, with head of black and mane like woven reeds, a royal steed named Thundercloud.

Taṁ disvā rañño mahāsudassanassa cittaṁ pasīdi:
Seeing him, the king was impressed,

‘bhaddakaṁ vata bho assayānaṁ sace damathaṁ upeyyā’ti.
‘This would truly be a fine horse vehicle, if he would submit to taming.’

Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, assaratanaṁ seyyathāpi nāma bhaddo assājāniyo dīgharattaṁ suparidanto; evameva damathaṁ upagacchi.
Then the horse-treasure submitted to taming, as if he was a fine thoroughbred horse that had been tamed for a long time.

Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tameva assaratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno pubbaṇhasamayaṁ abhiruhitvā samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ anuyāyitvā kusāvatiṁ rājadhāniṁ paccāgantvā pātarāsamakāsi.
Once it so happened that King Mahāsudassana, testing that same horse-treasure, mounted him in the morning and traversed the land surrounded by ocean before returning to the royal capital in time for breakfast.

Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ assaratanaṁ pāturahosi.
Such is the horse-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

2.4. Maṇiratana
2.4. The Jewel-Treasure

Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa maṇiratanaṁ pāturahosi.
Next, the jewel-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

So ahosi maṇi veḷuriyo subho jātimā aṭṭhaṁso suparikammakato accho vippasanno anāvilo sabbākārasampanno.
It was a beryl gem that was naturally beautiful, eight-faceted, well-worked, transparent, clear, and unclouded, endowed with all good qualities.

Tassa kho panānanda, maṇiratanassa ābhā samantā yojanaṁ phuṭā ahosi.
And the radiance of that jewel spread all-round for a league.

Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tameva maṇiratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno caturaṅginiṁ senaṁ sannayhitvā maṇiṁ dhajaggaṁ āropetvā rattandhakāratimisāya pāyāsi.
Once it so happened that King Mahāsudassana, testing that same jewel-treasure, mobilized his army of four divisions and, with the jewel hoisted on his banner, set out in the dark of the night.

Ye kho panānanda, samantā gāmā ahesuṁ, te tenobhāsena kammante payojesuṁ divāti maññamānā.
Then the villagers around them set off to work, thinking that it was day.

Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ maṇiratanaṁ pāturahosi.
Such is the jewel-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

2.5. Itthiratana
2.5. The Woman-Treasure

Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa itthiratanaṁ pāturahosi
Next, the woman-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

abhirūpā dassanīyā pāsādikā paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgatā nātidīghā nātirassā nātikisā nātithūlā nātikāḷikā nāccodātā atikkantā mānusivaṇṇaṁ appattā dibbavaṇṇaṁ.
She was attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty. She was neither too tall nor too short; neither too thin nor too fat; neither too dark nor too light. She outdid human beauty without reaching heavenly beauty.

Tassa kho panānanda, itthiratanassa evarūpo kāyasamphasso hoti, seyyathāpi nāma tūlapicuno vā kappāsapicuno vā.
And her touch was like a tuft of cotton-wool or kapok.

Tassa kho panānanda, itthiratanassa sīte uṇhāni gattāni honti, uṇhe sītāni.
When it was cool her limbs were warm, and when it was warm her limbs were cool.

Tassa kho panānanda, itthiratanassa kāyato candanagandho vāyati, mukhato uppalagandho.
The fragrance of sandal floated from her body, and lotus from her mouth.

Taṁ kho panānanda, itthiratanaṁ rañño mahāsudassanassa pubbuṭṭhāyinī ahosi pacchānipātinī kiṅkārapaṭissāvinī manāpacārinī piyavādinī.
She got up before the king and went to bed after him, and was obliging, behaving nicely and speaking politely.

Taṁ kho panānanda, itthiratanaṁ rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ manasāpi no aticari, kuto pana kāyena.
The woman-treasure did not betray the wheel-turning monarch even in thought, still less in deed.

Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ itthiratanaṁ pāturahosi.
Such is the woman-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

2.6. Gahapatiratana
2.6. The Householder-Treasure

Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa gahapatiratanaṁ pāturahosi.
Next, the householder-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

Tassa kammavipākajaṁ dibbacakkhu pāturahosi yena nidhiṁ passati sassāmikampi assāmikampi.
The power of clairvoyance manifested in him as a result of past deeds, by which he sees hidden treasure, both owned and ownerless.

So rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāha:
He approached the king and said,

‘appossukko tvaṁ, deva, hohi, ahaṁ te dhanena dhanakaraṇīyaṁ karissāmī’ti.
‘Relax, sire. I will take care of the treasury.’

Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tameva gahapatiratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno nāvaṁ abhiruhitvā majjhe gaṅgāya nadiyā sotaṁ ogāhitvā gahapatiratanaṁ etadavoca:
Once it so happened that the wheel-turning monarch, testing that same householder-treasure, boarded a boat and sailed to the middle of the Ganges river. Then he said to the householder-treasure,

‘attho me, gahapati, hiraññasuvaṇṇenā’ti.
‘Householder, I need gold, both coined and uncoined.’

‘Tena hi, mahārāja, ekaṁ tīraṁ nāvā upetū’ti.
‘Well then, great king, draw the boat up to one shore.’

‘Idheva me, gahapati, attho hiraññasuvaṇṇenā’ti.
‘It’s right here, householder, that I need gold, both coined and uncoined.’

Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, gahapatiratanaṁ ubhohi hatthehi udakaṁ omasitvā pūraṁ hiraññasuvaṇṇassa kumbhiṁ uddharitvā rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ etadavoca:
Then that householder-treasure, immersing both hands in the water, pulled up a pot full of gold, both coined and uncoined, and said to the king,

‘alamettāvatā, mahārāja, katamettāvatā, mahārāja, pūjitamettāvatā, mahārājā’ti?
‘Is this sufficient, great king? Has enough been done, great king, enough offered?’

Rājā mahāsudassano evamāha:
The king said,

‘alamettāvatā, gahapati, katamettāvatā, gahapati, pūjitamettāvatā, gahapatī’ti.
‘That is sufficient, householder. Enough has been done, enough offered.’

Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ gahapatiratanaṁ pāturahosi.
Such is the householder-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

2.7. Pariṇāyakaratana
2.7. The Commander-Treasure

Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa pariṇāyakaratanaṁ pāturahosi
Next, the commander-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

paṇḍito viyatto medhāvī paṭibalo rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upayāpetabbaṁ upayāpetuṁ, apayāpetabbaṁ apayāpetuṁ, ṭhapetabbaṁ ṭhapetuṁ.
He was astute, competent, intelligent, and capable of getting the king to appoint who should be appointed, dismiss who should be dismissed, and retain who should be retained.

So rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāha:
He approached the king and said,

‘appossukko tvaṁ, deva, hohi, ahamanusāsissāmī’ti.
‘Relax, sire. I shall issue instructions.’

Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ pariṇāyakaratanaṁ pāturahosi.
Such is the commander-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imehi sattahi ratanehi samannāgato ahosi.
These are the seven treasures possessed by King Mahāsudassana.

3. Catuiddhisamannāgata
3. The Four Blessings

Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano catūhi iddhīhi samannāgato ahosi.
King Mahāsudassana possessed four blessings.

Katamāhi catūhi iddhīhi?
And what are the four blessings?

Idhānanda, rājā mahāsudassano abhirūpo ahosi dassanīyo pāsādiko paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgato ativiya aññehi manussehi.
He was attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty, more so than other people.

Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāya paṭhamāya iddhiyā samannāgato ahosi.
This is the first blessing.

Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano dīghāyuko ahosi ciraṭṭhitiko ativiya aññehi manussehi.
Furthermore, he was long-lived, more so than other people.

Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāya dutiyāya iddhiyā samannāgato ahosi.
This is the second blessing.

Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano appābādho ahosi appātaṅko samavepākiniyā gahaṇiyā samannāgato nātisītāya nāccuṇhāya ativiya aññehi manussehi.
Furthermore, he was rarely ill or unwell, and his stomach digested well, being neither too hot nor too cold, more so than other people.

Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāya tatiyāya iddhiyā samannāgato ahosi.
This is the third blessing.

Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano brāhmaṇagahapatikānaṁ piyo ahosi manāpo.
Furthermore, he was as dear and beloved to the brahmins and householders

Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pitā puttānaṁ piyo hoti manāpo;
as a father is to his children.

evameva kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano brāhmaṇagahapatikānaṁ piyo ahosi manāpo.

Raññopi, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa brāhmaṇagahapatikā piyā ahesuṁ manāpā.
And the brahmins and householders were as dear to the king

Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pitu puttā piyā honti manāpā;
as children are to their father.

evameva kho, ānanda, raññopi mahāsudassanassa brāhmaṇagahapatikā piyā ahesuṁ manāpā.

Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano caturaṅginiyā senāya uyyānabhūmiṁ niyyāsi.
Once it so happened that King Mahāsudassana went with his army of four divisions to visit a park.

Atha kho, ānanda, brāhmaṇagahapatikā rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu:
Then the brahmins and householders went up to him and said,

‘ataramāno, deva, yāhi, yathā taṁ mayaṁ cirataraṁ passeyyāmā’ti.
‘Slow down, Your Majesty, so we may see you longer!’

Rājāpi, ānanda, mahāsudassano sārathiṁ āmantesi:
And the king addressed his charioteer,

‘ataramāno, sārathi, rathaṁ pesehi, yathā ahaṁ brāhmaṇagahapatike cirataraṁ passeyyan’ti.
‘Drive slowly, charioteer, so I can see the brahmins and householders longer!’

Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāya catutthiyā iddhiyā samannāgato ahosi.
This is the fourth blessing.

Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāhi catūhi iddhīhi samannāgato ahosi.
These are the four blessings possessed by King Mahāsudassana.

4. Dhammapāsādapokkharaṇī
4. Lotus Ponds in the Palace of Principle

Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,

‘yannūnāhaṁ imāsu tālantarikāsu dhanusate dhanusate pokkharaṇiyo māpeyyan’ti.
‘Why don’t I have lotus ponds built between the palms, at intervals of a hundred bow lengths?’

Māpesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tāsu tālantarikāsu dhanusate dhanusate pokkharaṇiyo.
So that’s what he did.

Tā kho panānanda, pokkharaṇiyo catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ iṭṭhakāhi citā ahesuṁ—
The lotus ponds were lined with tiles of four colors,

ekā iṭṭhakā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā.
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.

Tāsu kho panānanda, pokkharaṇīsu cattāri cattāri sopānāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ,
And four flights of stairs of four colors descended into each lotus pond,

ekaṁ sopānaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ.
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.

Sovaṇṇamayassa sopānassa sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The golden stairs had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver.

Rūpiyamayassa sopānassa rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The silver stairs had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.

Veḷuriyamayassa sopānassa veḷuriyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, phalikamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The beryl stairs had posts of beryl, and banisters and finials of crystal.

Phalikamayassa sopānassa phalikamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, veḷuriyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The crystal stairs had posts of crystal, and banisters and finials of beryl.

Tā kho panānanda, pokkharaṇiyo dvīhi vedikāhi parikkhittā ahesuṁ ekā vedikā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā.
Those lotus ponds were surrounded by two balustrades, made of gold and silver.

Sovaṇṇamayāya vedikāya sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The golden balustrades had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver.

Rūpiyamayāya vedikāya rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The silver balustrades had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.

Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,

‘yannūnāhaṁ imāsu pokkharaṇīsu evarūpaṁ mālaṁ ropāpeyyaṁ uppalaṁ padumaṁ kumudaṁ puṇḍarīkaṁ sabbotukaṁ sabbajanassa anāvaṭan’ti.
‘Why don’t I plant flowers in the lotus ponds such as blue water lilies, and lotuses of pink, yellow, and white, blooming all year round, and accessible to the public?’

Ropāpesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tāsu pokkharaṇīsu evarūpaṁ mālaṁ uppalaṁ padumaṁ kumudaṁ puṇḍarīkaṁ sabbotukaṁ sabbajanassa anāvaṭaṁ.
So that’s what he did.

Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,

‘yannūnāhaṁ imāsaṁ pokkharaṇīnaṁ tīre nhāpake purise ṭhapeyyaṁ, ye āgatāgataṁ janaṁ nhāpessantī’ti.
‘Why don’t I appoint bath attendants to help bathe the people who come to bathe in the lotus ponds?’

Ṭhapesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tāsaṁ pokkharaṇīnaṁ tīre nhāpake purise, ye āgatāgataṁ janaṁ nhāpesuṁ.
So that’s what he did.

Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,

‘yannūnāhaṁ imāsaṁ pokkharaṇīnaṁ tīre evarūpaṁ dānaṁ paṭṭhapeyyaṁ—
‘Why don’t I set up charities on the banks of the lotus ponds,

annaṁ annaṭṭhikassa, pānaṁ pānaṭṭhikassa, vatthaṁ vatthaṭṭhikassa, yānaṁ yānaṭṭhikassa, sayanaṁ sayanaṭṭhikassa, itthiṁ itthiṭṭhikassa, hiraññaṁ hiraññaṭṭhikassa, suvaṇṇaṁ suvaṇṇaṭṭhikassā’ti.
so that those in need of food, drink, clothes, vehicles, beds, women, coined gold, or uncoined gold can get what they need?’

Paṭṭhapesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tāsaṁ pokkharaṇīnaṁ tīre evarūpaṁ dānaṁ—
So that’s what he did.

Atha kho, ānanda, brāhmaṇagahapatikā pahūtaṁ sāpateyyaṁ ādāya rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu:
Then the brahmins and householders came to the king bringing abundant wealth and said,

‘idaṁ, deva, pahūtaṁ sāpateyyaṁ devaññeva uddissa ābhataṁ, taṁ devo paṭiggaṇhatū’ti.
‘Sire, this abundant wealth is specially for you alone; may Your Highness accept it!’

‘Alaṁ, bho, mamapidaṁ pahūtaṁ sāpateyyaṁ dhammikena balinā abhisaṅkhataṁ, tañca vo hotu, ito ca bhiyyo harathā’ti.
‘There’s enough raised for me through regular taxes. Let this be for you; and here, take even more!’

Te raññā paṭikkhittā ekamantaṁ apakkamma evaṁ samacintesuṁ:
When the king turned them down, they withdrew to one side to think up a plan,

‘na kho etaṁ amhākaṁ patirūpaṁ, yaṁ mayaṁ imāni sāpateyyāni punadeva sakāni gharāni paṭihareyyāma.
‘It wouldn’t be proper for us to take this abundant wealth back to our own homes.

Yannūna mayaṁ rañño mahāsudassanassa nivesanaṁ māpeyyāmā’ti.
Why don’t we build a home for King Mahāsudassana?’

Te rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu:
They went up to the king and said,

‘nivesanaṁ te, deva, māpessāmā’ti.
‘We shall have a home built for you, sire!’

Adhivāsesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tuṇhībhāvena.
King Mahāsudassana consented with silence.

Atha kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo rañño mahāsudassanassa cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya vissakammaṁ devaputtaṁ āmantesi:
And then Sakka, lord of gods, knowing the king’s train of thought, addressed the god Vissakamma,

‘ehi tvaṁ, samma vissakamma, rañño mahāsudassanassa nivesanaṁ māpehi dhammaṁ nāma pāsādan’ti.
‘Come, dear Vissakamma, build a palace named Principle as a home for King Mahāsudassana.’

‘Evaṁ, bhaddantavā’ti kho, ānanda, vissakammo devaputto sakkassa devānamindassa paṭissutvā seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—devesu tāvatiṁsesu antarahito rañño mahāsudassanassa purato pāturahosi.
‘Yes, lord,’ replied Vissakamma. Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he vanished from the gods of the thirty-three and appeared in front of King Mahāsudassana.

Atha kho, ānanda, vissakammo devaputto rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ etadavoca:
Vissakamma said to the king,

‘nivesanaṁ te, deva, māpessāmi dhammaṁ nāma pāsādan’ti.
‘I shall build a palace named Principle as a home for you, sire.’

Adhivāsesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tuṇhībhāvena.
King Mahāsudassana consented with silence.

Māpesi kho, ānanda, vissakammo devaputto rañño mahāsudassanassa nivesanaṁ dhammaṁ nāma pāsādaṁ.
And so that’s what Vissakamma did.

Dhammo, ānanda, pāsādo puratthimena pacchimena ca yojanaṁ āyāmena ahosi. Uttarena dakkhiṇena ca aḍḍhayojanaṁ vitthārena.
The Palace of Principle stretched for a league from east to west, and half a league from north to south.

Dhammassa, ānanda, pāsādassa tiporisaṁ uccatarena vatthu citaṁ ahosi catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ iṭṭhakāhi—
It was lined with tiles of four colors, three fathoms high,

ekā iṭṭhakā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā.
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.

Dhammassa, ānanda, pāsādassa caturāsītithambhasahassāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ—
It had 84,000 pillars of four colors,

eko thambho sovaṇṇamayo, eko rūpiyamayo, eko veḷuriyamayo, eko phalikamayo.
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.

Dhammo, ānanda, pāsādo catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ phalakehi santhato ahosi—
It was covered with panels of four colors,

ekaṁ phalakaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ.
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.

Dhammassa, ānanda, pāsādassa catuvīsati sopānāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ—
It had twenty-four staircases of four colors,

ekaṁ sopānaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ.
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.

Sovaṇṇamayassa sopānassa sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The golden stairs had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver.

Rūpiyamayassa sopānassa rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The silver stairs had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.

Veḷuriyamayassa sopānassa veḷuriyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ phalikamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The beryl stairs had posts of beryl, and banisters and finials of crystal.

Phalikamayassa sopānassa phalikamayā thambhā ahesuṁ veḷuriyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The crystal stairs had posts of crystal, and banisters and finials of beryl.

Dhamme, ānanda, pāsāde caturāsītikūṭāgārasahassāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ—
It had 84,000 chambers of four colors,

ekaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ.
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.

Sovaṇṇamaye kūṭāgāre rūpiyamayo pallaṅko paññatto ahosi, rūpiyamaye kūṭāgāre sovaṇṇamayo pallaṅko paññatto ahosi, veḷuriyamaye kūṭāgāre dantamayo pallaṅko paññatto ahosi, phalikamaye kūṭāgāre sāramayo pallaṅko paññatto ahosi.
In each chamber a couch was spread: in the golden chamber a couch of silver; in the silver chamber a couch of gold; in the beryl chamber a couch of ivory; in the crystal chamber a couch of hardwood.

Sovaṇṇamayassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre rūpiyamayo tālo ṭhito ahosi, tassa rūpiyamayo khandho sovaṇṇamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
At the door of the golden chamber stood a palm tree of silver, with trunk of silver, and leaves and fruits of gold.

Rūpiyamayassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre sovaṇṇamayo tālo ṭhito ahosi, tassa sovaṇṇamayo khandho, rūpiyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
At the door of the silver chamber stood a palm tree of gold, with trunk of gold, and leaves and fruits of silver.

Veḷuriyamayassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre phalikamayo tālo ṭhito ahosi, tassa phalikamayo khandho, veḷuriyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
At the door of the beryl chamber stood a palm tree of crystal, with trunk of crystal, and leaves and fruits of beryl.

Phalikamayassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre veḷuriyamayo tālo ṭhito ahosi, tassa veḷuriyamayo khandho, phalikamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
At the door of the crystal chamber stood a palm tree of beryl, with trunk of beryl, and leaves and fruits of crystal.

Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,

‘yannūnāhaṁ mahāviyūhassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre sabbasovaṇṇamayaṁ tālavanaṁ māpeyyaṁ, yattha divāvihāraṁ nisīdissāmī’ti.
‘Why don’t I build a grove of golden palm trees at the door to the great foyer, where I can sit for the day?’

Māpesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano mahāviyūhassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre sabbasovaṇṇamayaṁ tālavanaṁ, yattha divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.
So that’s what he did.

Dhammo, ānanda, pāsādo dvīhi vedikāhi parikkhitto ahosi, ekā vedikā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā.
The Palace of Principle was surrounded by two balustrades, made of gold and silver.

Sovaṇṇamayāya vedikāya sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The golden balustrades had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver.

Rūpiyamayāya vedikāya rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The silver balustrades had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.

Dhammo, ānanda, pāsādo dvīhi kiṅkiṇikajālehi parikkhitto ahosi—
The Palace of Principle was surrounded by two nets of bells,

ekaṁ jālaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ.
made of gold and silver.

Sovaṇṇamayassa jālassa rūpiyamayā kiṅkiṇikā ahesuṁ, rūpiyamayassa jālassa sovaṇṇamayā kiṅkiṇikā ahesuṁ.
The golden net had bells of silver, and the silver net had bells of gold.

Tesaṁ kho panānanda, kiṅkiṇikajālānaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca.
When those nets of bells were blown by the wind they sounded graceful, tantalizing, sensuous, lovely, and intoxicating,

Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pañcaṅgikassa tūriyassa suvinītassa suppaṭitāḷitassa sukusalehi samannāhatassa saddo hoti, vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca;
like a quintet made up of skilled musicians who had practiced well and kept excellent rhythm.

evameva kho, ānanda, tesaṁ kiṅkiṇikajālānaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca.

Ye kho panānanda, tena samayena kusāvatiyā rājadhāniyā dhuttā ahesuṁ soṇḍā pipāsā, te tesaṁ kiṅkiṇikajālānaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddena paricāresuṁ.
And any addicts, carousers, or drunkards in Kusāvatī at that time were entertained by that sound.

Niṭṭhito kho panānanda, dhammo pāsādo duddikkho ahosi musati cakkhūni.
When it was finished, the palace was hard to look at, dazzling to the eyes.

Seyyathāpi, ānanda, vassānaṁ pacchime māse saradasamaye viddhe vigatavalāhake deve ādicco nabhaṁ abbhussakkamāno duddikkho hoti musati cakkhūni;
It was like how in the last month of the rainy season, in autumn, when the heavens are clear and cloudless, as the sun is rising to the firmament, it is hard to look at, dazzling to the eyes.

evameva kho, ānanda, dhammo pāsādo duddikkho ahosi musati cakkhūni.

Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,

‘yannūnāhaṁ dhammassa pāsādassa purato dhammaṁ nāma pokkharaṇiṁ māpeyyan’ti.
‘Why don’t I build a lotus pond named Principle in front of the palace?’

Māpesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano dhammassa pāsādassa purato dhammaṁ nāma pokkharaṇiṁ.
So that’s what he did.

Dhammā, ānanda, pokkharaṇī puratthimena pacchimena ca yojanaṁ āyāmena ahosi, uttarena dakkhiṇena ca aḍḍhayojanaṁ vitthārena.
The Lotus Pond of Principle stretched for a league from east to west, and half a league from north to south.

Dhammā, ānanda, pokkharaṇī catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ iṭṭhakāhi citā ahosi—
It was lined with tiles of four colors,

ekā iṭṭhakā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā.
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.

Dhammāya, ānanda, pokkharaṇiyā catuvīsati sopānāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ—
It had twenty-four staircases of four colors,

ekaṁ sopānaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ.
made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.

Sovaṇṇamayassa sopānassa sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The golden stairs had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver.

Rūpiyamayassa sopānassa rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The silver stairs had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.

Veḷuriyamayassa sopānassa veḷuriyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ phalikamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The beryl stairs had posts of beryl, and banisters and finials of crystal.

Phalikamayassa sopānassa phalikamayā thambhā ahesuṁ veḷuriyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The crystal stairs had posts of crystal, and banisters and finials of beryl.

Dhammā, ānanda, pokkharaṇī dvīhi vedikāhi parikkhittā ahosi—ekā vedikā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā.
It was surrounded by two balustrades, made of gold and silver.

Sovaṇṇamayāya vedikāya sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The golden balustrades had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver.

Rūpiyamayāya vedikāya rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.
The silver balustrades had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.

Dhammā, ānanda, pokkharaṇī sattahi tālapantīhi parikkhittā ahosi—
It was surrounded by seven rows of palm trees,

ekā tālapanti sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā, ekā lohitaṅkamayā, ekā masāragallamayā, ekā sabbaratanamayā.
made of gold, silver, beryl, crystal, ruby, emerald, and all precious things.

Sovaṇṇamayassa tālassa sovaṇṇamayo khandho ahosi rūpiyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The golden palms had trunks of gold, and leaves and fruits of silver.

Rūpiyamayassa tālassa rūpiyamayo khandho ahosi sovaṇṇamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The silver palms had trunks of silver, and leaves and fruits of gold.

Veḷuriyamayassa tālassa veḷuriyamayo khandho ahosi phalikamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The beryl palms had trunks of beryl, and leaves and fruits of crystal.

Phalikamayassa tālassa phalikamayo khandho ahosi veḷuriyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The crystal palms had trunks of crystal, and leaves and fruits of beryl.

Lohitaṅkamayassa tālassa lohitaṅkamayo khandho ahosi masāragallamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The ruby palms had trunks of ruby, and leaves and fruits of emerald.

Masāragallamayassa tālassa masāragallamayo khandho ahosi lohitaṅkamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.
The emerald palms had trunks of emerald, and leaves and fruits of ruby.

Tāsaṁ kho panānanda, tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi, vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca.
When those rows of palm trees were blown by the wind they sounded graceful, tantalizing, sensuous, lovely, and intoxicating,

evameva kho, ānanda, tāsaṁ tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca.

Niṭṭhite kho panānanda, dhamme pāsāde niṭṭhitāya dhammāya ca pokkharaṇiyā rājā mahāsudassano ‘ye tena samayena samaṇesu vā samaṇasammatā brāhmaṇesu vā brāhmaṇasammatā’, te sabbakāmehi santappetvā dhammaṁ pāsādaṁ abhiruhi.
When the palace and its lotus pond were finished, King Mahāsudassana served those who were deemed true ascetics and brahmins with all they desired. Then he ascended the Palace of Principle.

Paṭhamabhāṇavāro.
The first recitation section.

5. Jhānasampatti
5. Attaining Absorption

Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,

‘kissa nu kho me idaṁ kammassa phalaṁ kissa kammassa vipāko, yenāhaṁ etarahi evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo’ti?
‘Of what deed of mine is this the fruit and result, that I am now so mighty and powerful?’

Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,

‘tiṇṇaṁ kho me idaṁ kammānaṁ phalaṁ tiṇṇaṁ kammānaṁ vipāko, yenāhaṁ etarahi evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo, seyyathidaṁ—
‘It is the fruit and result of three kinds of deeds:

dānassa damassa saṁyamassā’ti.
giving, self-control, and restraint.’

Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano yena mahāviyūhaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā mahāviyūhassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre ṭhito udānaṁ udānesi:
Then he went to the great foyer, stood at the door, and expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

‘tiṭṭha, kāmavitakka, tiṭṭha, byāpādavitakka, tiṭṭha, vihiṁsāvitakka.
‘Stop here, sensual, malicious, and cruel thoughts—

Ettāvatā, kāmavitakka, ettāvatā, byāpādavitakka, ettāvatā, vihiṁsāvitakkā’ti.
no further!’

Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano mahāviyūhaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ pavisitvā sovaṇṇamaye pallaṅke nisinno vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihāsi.
Then he entered the great foyer and sat on the golden couch. Quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, he entered and remained in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihāsi.
As the placing of the mind and keeping it connected were stilled, he entered and remained in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of immersion, with internal clarity and mind at one, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca vihāsi, sato ca sampajāno sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedesi, yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti: ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihāsi.
And with the fading away of rapture, he entered and remained in the third absorption, where he meditated with equanimity, mindful and aware, personally experiencing the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’

Sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā adukkhamasukhaṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihāsi.
With the giving up of pleasure and pain, and the ending of former happiness and sadness, he entered and remained in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.

Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano mahāviyūhā kūṭāgārā nikkhamitvā sovaṇṇamayaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ pavisitvā rūpiyamaye pallaṅke nisinno
Then King Mahāsudassana left the great foyer and entered the golden chamber, where he sat on the golden couch.

mettāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā vihāsi. Tathā dutiyaṁ tathā tatiyaṁ tathā catutthaṁ. Iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjena pharitvā vihāsi.
He meditated spreading a heart full of love to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way he spread a heart full of love above, below, across, everywhere, all around, to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.

Karuṇāsahagatena cetasā …pe…
He meditated spreading a heart full of compassion …

muditāsahagatena cetasā …pe…
He meditated spreading a heart full of rejoicing …

upekkhāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā vihāsi. Tathā dutiyaṁ tathā tatiyaṁ tathā catutthaṁ. Iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ upekkhāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjena pharitvā vihāsi.
He meditated spreading a heart full of equanimity to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, he spread a heart full of equanimity to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.

6. Caturāsītinagarasahassādi
6. Of All Cities

Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa caturāsīti nagarasahassāni ahesuṁ kusāvatīrājadhānippamukhāni;
King Mahāsudassana had 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost.

caturāsīti pāsādasahassāni ahesuṁ dhammapāsādappamukhāni;
He had 84,000 palaces, with the Palace of Principle foremost.

caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassāni ahesuṁ mahāviyūhakūṭāgārappamukhāni;
He had 84,000 chambers, with the great foyer foremost.

caturāsīti pallaṅkasahassāni ahesuṁ sovaṇṇamayāni rūpiyamayāni dantamayāni sāramayāni gonakatthatāni paṭikatthatāni paṭalikatthatāni kadalimigapavarapaccattharaṇāni sauttaracchadāni ubhatolohitakūpadhānāni;
He had 84,000 couches made of gold, silver, ivory, and hardwood. They were spread with woollen covers—shag-piled, pure white, or embroidered with flowers—and spread with a fine deer hide, with a canopy above and red pillows at both ends.

caturāsīti nāgasahassāni ahesuṁ sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni uposathanāgarājappamukhāni;
He had 84,000 bull elephants with gold adornments and banners, covered with snow gold netting, with the royal bull elephant named Sabbath foremost.

caturāsīti assasahassāni ahesuṁ sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni valāhakaassarājappamukhāni;
He had 84,000 horses with gold adornments and banners, covered with snow gold netting, with the royal steed named Thundercloud foremost.

caturāsīti rathasahassāni ahesuṁ sīhacammaparivārāni byagghacammaparivārāni dīpicammaparivārāni paṇḍukambalaparivārāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni vejayantarathappamukhāni;
He had 84,000 chariots upholstered with the hide of lions, tigers, and leopards, and cream rugs, with gold adornments and banners, covered with snow gold netting, with the chariot named Triumph foremost.

caturāsīti maṇisahassāni ahesuṁ maṇiratanappamukhāni;
He had 84,000 jewels, with the jewel-treasure foremost.

caturāsīti itthisahassāni ahesuṁ subhaddādevippamukhāni;
He had 84,000 women, with Queen Subhaddā foremost.

caturāsīti gahapatisahassāni ahesuṁ gahapatiratanappamukhāni;
He had 84,000 householders, with the householder-treasure foremost.

caturāsīti khattiyasahassāni ahesuṁ anuyantāni pariṇāyakaratanappamukhāni;
He had 84,000 aristocrat vassals, with the commander-treasure foremost.

caturāsīti dhenusahassāni ahesuṁ duhasandanāni kaṁsūpadhāraṇāni;
He had 84,000 milk-cows with silken reins and bronze pails.

caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassāni ahesuṁ khomasukhumānaṁ kappāsikasukhumānaṁ koseyyasukhumānaṁ kambalasukhumānaṁ;
He had 8,400,000,000 fine cloths of linen, cotton, silk, and wool.

rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa caturāsīti thālipākasahassāni ahesuṁ sāyaṁ pātaṁ bhattābhihāro abhihariyittha.
He had 84,000 servings of food, which were presented to him as offerings in the morning and evening.

Tena kho panānanda, samayena rañño mahāsudassanassa caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgacchanti.
Now at that time his 84,000 royal elephants came to attend on him in the morning and evening.

Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi:
Then King Mahāsudassana thought,

‘imāni kho me caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgacchanti, yannūna vassasatassa vassasatassa accayena dvecattālīsaṁ dvecattālīsaṁ nāgasahassāni sakiṁ sakiṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgaccheyyun’ti.
‘What if instead half of the elephants took turns to attend on me at the end of each century?’

Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano pariṇāyakaratanaṁ āmantesi:
He instructed the commander-treasure to do this, and so it was done.

‘imāni kho me, samma pariṇāyakaratana, caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgacchanti, tena hi, samma pariṇāyakaratana, vassasatassa vassasatassa accayena dvecattālīsaṁ dvecattālīsaṁ nāgasahassāni sakiṁ sakiṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgacchantū’ti.

‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, pariṇāyakaratanaṁ rañño mahāsudassanassa paccassosi.

Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa aparena samayena vassasatassa vassasatassa accayena dvecattālīsaṁ dvecattālīsaṁ nāgasahassāni sakiṁ sakiṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgamaṁsu.

7. Subhaddādeviupasaṅkamana
7. The Visit of Queen Subhaddā

Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddāya deviyā bahunnaṁ vassānaṁ bahunnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahunnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena etadahosi:
Then, after many years, many hundred years, many thousand years had passed, Queen Subhaddā thought,

‘ciraṁ diṭṭho kho me rājā mahāsudassano. Yannūnāhaṁ rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ dassanāya upasaṅkameyyan’ti.
‘It is long since I have seen the king. Why don’t I go to see him?’

Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddā devī itthāgāraṁ āmantesi:
So the queen addressed the ladies of the harem,

‘etha tumhe sīsāni nhāyatha pītāni vatthāni pārupatha.
‘Come, bathe your heads and dress in yellow.

Ciraṁ diṭṭho no rājā mahāsudassano, rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ dassanāya upasaṅkamissāmā’ti.
It is long since we saw the king, and we shall go to see him.’

‘Evaṁ, ayye’ti kho, ānanda, itthāgāraṁ subhaddāya deviyā paṭissutvā sīsāni nhāyitvā pītāni vatthāni pārupitvā yena subhaddā devī tenupasaṅkami.
‘Yes, ma’am,’ replied the ladies of the harem. They did as she asked and returned to the queen.

Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddā devī pariṇāyakaratanaṁ āmantesi:
Then the queen addressed the commander-treasure,

‘kappehi, samma pariṇāyakaratana, caturaṅginiṁ senaṁ, ciraṁ diṭṭho no rājā mahāsudassano, rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ dassanāya upasaṅkamissāmā’ti.
‘Dear commander-treasure, please ready the army of four divisions. It is long since we saw the king, and we shall go to see him.’

‘Evaṁ, devī’ti kho, ānanda, pariṇāyakaratanaṁ subhaddāya deviyā paṭissutvā caturaṅginiṁ senaṁ kappāpetvā subhaddāya deviyā paṭivedesi:
‘Yes, my queen,’ he replied, and did as he was asked. He informed the queen,

‘kappitā kho, devi, caturaṅginī senā,
‘My queen, the army of four divisions is ready,

yassadāni kālaṁ maññasī’ti.
please go at your convenience.’

Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddā devī caturaṅginiyā senāya saddhiṁ itthāgārena yena dhammo pāsādo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā dhammaṁ pāsādaṁ abhiruhitvā yena mahāviyūhaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ tenupasaṅkami.
Then Queen Subhaddā together with the ladies of the harem went with the army to the Palace of Principle. She ascended the palace and went to the great foyer,

Upasaṅkamitvā mahāviyūhassa kūṭāgārassa dvārabāhaṁ ālambitvā aṭṭhāsi.
where she stood leaning against a door-post.

Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano saddaṁ sutvā:
Hearing them, the king thought,

‘kiṁ nu kho mahato viya janakāyassa saddo’ti mahāviyūhā kūṭāgārā nikkhamanto addasa subhaddaṁ deviṁ dvārabāhaṁ ālambitvā ṭhitaṁ, disvāna subhaddaṁ deviṁ etadavoca:
‘What’s that, it sounds like a big crowd!’ Coming out of the foyer he saw Queen Subhaddā leaning against a door-post and said to her,

‘ettheva, devi, tiṭṭha mā pāvisī’ti.
‘Please stay there, my queen, don’t enter in here.’

Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano aññataraṁ purisaṁ āmantesi:
Then he addressed a certain man,

‘ehi tvaṁ, ambho purisa, mahāviyūhā kūṭāgārā sovaṇṇamayaṁ pallaṅkaṁ nīharitvā sabbasovaṇṇamaye tālavane paññapehī’ti.
‘Come, mister, bring the golden couch from the great foyer and set it up in the golden palm grove.’

‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, ānanda, so puriso rañño mahāsudassanassa paṭissutvā mahāviyūhā kūṭāgārā sovaṇṇamayaṁ pallaṅkaṁ nīharitvā sabbasovaṇṇamaye tālavane paññapesi.
‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ that man replied, and did as he was asked.

Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano dakkhiṇena passena sīhaseyyaṁ kappesi pāde pādaṁ accādhāya sato sampajāno.
The king laid down in the lion’s posture—on the right side, placing one foot on top of the other—mindful and aware.

Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddāya deviyā etadahosi:
Then Queen Subhaddā thought,

‘vippasannāni kho rañño mahāsudassanassa indriyāni, parisuddho chavivaṇṇo pariyodāto, mā heva kho rājā mahāsudassano kālamakāsī’ti rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ etadavoca:
‘The king’s faculties are so very clear, and the complexion of his skin is pure and bright. Let him not pass away!’ She said to him,

‘Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nagarasahassāni kusāvatīrājadhānippamukhāni.
‘Sire, you have 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.
Arouse desire for these! Take an interest in life!’

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti pāsādasahassāni dhammapāsādappamukhāni.
And she likewise urged the king to live on by taking an interest in all his possessions as described above.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassāni mahāviyūhakūṭāgārappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti pallaṅkasahassāni sovaṇṇamayāni rūpiyamayāni dantamayāni sāramayāni gonakatthatāni paṭikatthatāni paṭalikatthatāni kadalimigapavarapaccattharaṇāni sauttaracchadāni ubhatolohitakūpadhānāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi, jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni uposathanāgarājappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti assasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni valāhakaassarājappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti rathasahassāni sīhacammaparivārāni byagghacammaparivārāni dīpicammaparivārāni paṇḍukambalaparivārāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni vejayantarathappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti maṇisahassāni maṇiratanappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti itthisahassāni itthiratanappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti gahapatisahassāni gahapatiratanappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti khattiyasahassāni anuyantāni pariṇāyakaratanappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti dhenusahassāni duhasandanāni kaṁsūpadhāraṇāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassāni khomasukhumānaṁ kappāsikasukhumānaṁ koseyyasukhumānaṁ kambalasukhumānaṁ.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi, jīvite apekkhaṁ karohi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti thālipākasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ bhattābhihāro abhihariyati.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ janehi jīvite apekkhaṁ karohī’ti.

Evaṁ vutte, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano subhaddaṁ deviṁ etadavoca:
When the queen had spoken, the king said to her,

‘Dīgharattaṁ kho maṁ tvaṁ, devi, iṭṭhehi kantehi piyehi manāpehi samudācarittha;
‘For a long time, my queen, you have spoken to me with words that are welcome, desirable, agreeable, and pleasant.

atha ca pana maṁ tvaṁ pacchime kāle aniṭṭhehi akantehi appiyehi amanāpehi samudācarasī’ti.
And yet in my final hour, your words are unwelcome, undesirable, disagreeable, and unpleasant!’

‘Kathaṁ carahi taṁ, deva, samudācarāmī’ti?
‘Then how exactly, Your Majesty, am I to speak to you?’

‘Evaṁ kho maṁ tvaṁ, devi, samudācara:
‘Like this, my queen:

“sabbeheva, deva, piyehi manāpehi nānābhāvo vinābhāvo aññathābhāvo, mā kho tvaṁ, deva, sāpekkho kālamakāsi, dukkhā sāpekkhassa kālaṅkiriyā, garahitā ca sāpekkhassa kālaṅkiriyā.
“Sire, we must be parted and separated from all we hold dear and beloved. Don’t pass away with concerns. Such concern is suffering, and it’s criticized.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nagarasahassāni kusāvatīrājadhānippamukhāni.
Sire, you have 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Give up desire for these! Take no interest in life!”’

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti pāsādasahassāni dhammapāsādappamukhāni.
And so on for all the king’s possessions.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassāni mahāviyūhakūṭāgārappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni uposathanāgarājappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti assasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni valāhakaassarājappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti maṇisahassāni maṇiratanappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti itthisahassāni subhaddādevippamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti gahapatisahassāni gahapatiratanappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti khattiyasahassāni anuyantāni pariṇāyakaratanappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti dhenusahassāni duhasandanāni kaṁsūpadhāraṇāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassāni khomasukhumānaṁ kappāsikasukhumānaṁ koseyyasukhumānaṁ kambalasukhumānaṁ.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti thālipākasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ bhattābhihāro abhihariyati.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsī”’ti.

Evaṁ vutte, ānanda, subhaddā devī parodi assūni pavattesi.
When the king had spoken, Queen Subhaddā cried and burst out in tears.

Atha kho, ānanda, subhaddā devī assūni puñchitvā rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ etadavoca:
Wiping away her tears, the queen said to the king:

‘Sabbeheva, deva, piyehi manāpehi nānābhāvo vinābhāvo aññathābhāvo, mā kho tvaṁ, deva, sāpekkho kālamakāsi, dukkhā sāpekkhassa kālaṅkiriyā, garahitā ca sāpekkhassa kālaṅkiriyā.
‘Sire, we must be parted and separated from all we hold dear and beloved. Don’t pass away with concerns. Such concern is suffering, and it’s criticized.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nagarasahassāni kusāvatīrājadhānippamukhāni.
Sire, you have 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.
Give up desire for these! Take no interest in life!’

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti pāsādasahassāni dhammapāsādappamukhāni.
And she continued, listing all the king’s possessions.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassāni mahāviyūhakūṭāgārappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni uposathanāgarājappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti assasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni valāhakaassarājappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha, jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti maṇisahassāni maṇiratanappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti itthisahassāni itthiratanappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha, jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti gahapatisahassāni gahapatiratanappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti khattiyasahassāni anuyantāni pariṇāyakaratanappamukhāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti dhenusahassāni duhasandanāni kaṁsūpadhāraṇāni.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassāni khomasukhumānaṁ kappāsikasukhumānaṁ koseyyasukhumānaṁ kambalasukhumānaṁ.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsi.

Imāni te, deva, caturāsīti thālipākasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ bhattābhihāro abhihariyati.

Ettha, deva, chandaṁ pajaha jīvite apekkhaṁ mākāsī’ti.

8. Brahmalokūpagama
8. Rebirth in the Realm of Divinity

Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano na cirasseva kālamakāsi.
Not long after that, King Mahāsudassana passed away.

Seyyathāpi, ānanda, gahapatissa vā gahapatiputtassa vā manuññaṁ bhojanaṁ bhuttāvissa bhattasammado hoti; evameva kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa māraṇantikā vedanā ahosi.
And the feeling he had close to death was like a householder or their child falling asleep after eating a delectable meal.

Kālaṅkato ca, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano sugatiṁ brahmalokaṁ upapajji.
When he passed away King Mahāsudassana was reborn in a good place, a realm of divinity.

Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano caturāsīti vassasahassāni kumārakīḷaṁ kīḷi.
Ānanda, King Mahāsudassana played children’s games for 84,000 years.

Caturāsīti vassasahassāni oparajjaṁ kāresi.
He ruled as viceroy for 84,000 years.

Caturāsīti vassasahassāni rajjaṁ kāresi.
He ruled as king for 84,000 years.

Caturāsīti vassasahassāni gihibhūto dhamme pāsāde brahmacariyaṁ cari.
He led the spiritual life as a layman in the Palace of Principle for 84,000 years.

So cattāro brahmavihāre bhāvetvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmalokūpago ahosi.
And having developed the four divine meditations, when his body broke up, after death, he was reborn in a good place, a realm of divinity.

Siyā kho panānanda, evamassa:
Now, Ānanda, you might think:

‘añño nūna tena samayena rājā mahāsudassano ahosī’ti,
‘Surely King Mahāsudassana must have been someone else at that time?’

na kho panetaṁ, ānanda, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ. Ahaṁ tena samayena rājā mahāsudassano ahosiṁ.
But you should not see it like that. I myself was King Mahāsudassana at that time.

Mama tāni caturāsīti nagarasahassāni kusāvatīrājadhānippamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti pāsādasahassāni dhammapāsādappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassāni mahāviyūhakūṭāgārappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti pallaṅkasahassāni sovaṇṇamayāni rūpiyamayāni dantamayāni sāramayāni gonakatthatāni paṭikatthatāni paṭalikatthatāni kadalimigapavarapaccattharaṇāni sauttaracchadāni ubhatolohitakūpadhānāni, mama tāni caturāsīti nāgasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni uposathanāgarājappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti assasahassāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni valāhakaassarājappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti rathasahassāni sīhacammaparivārāni byagghacammaparivārāni dīpicammaparivārāni paṇḍukambalaparivārāni sovaṇṇālaṅkārāni sovaṇṇadhajāni hemajālapaṭicchannāni vejayantarathappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti maṇisahassāni maṇiratanappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti itthisahassāni subhaddādevippamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti gahapatisahassāni gahapatiratanappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti khattiyasahassāni anuyantāni pariṇāyakaratanappamukhāni, mama tāni caturāsīti dhenusahassāni duhasandanāni kaṁsūpadhāraṇāni, mama tāni caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassāni khomasukhumānaṁ kappāsikasukhumānaṁ koseyyasukhumānaṁ kambalasukhumānaṁ, mama tāni caturāsīti thālipākasahassāni sāyaṁ pātaṁ bhattābhihāro abhihariyittha.
Mine were the 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost. And mine were all the other possessions.

Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsītinagarasahassānaṁ ekaññeva taṁ nagaraṁ hoti, yaṁ tena samayena ajjhāvasāmi yadidaṁ kusāvatī rājadhānī.
Of those 84,000 cities, I only stayed in one, the capital Kusāvatī.

Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti pāsādasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so pāsādo hoti, yaṁ tena samayena ajjhāvasāmi yadidaṁ dhammo pāsādo.
Of those 84,000 mansions, I only dwelt in one, the Palace of Principle.

Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti kūṭāgārasahassānaṁ ekaññeva taṁ kūṭāgāraṁ hoti, yaṁ tena samayena ajjhāvasāmi yadidaṁ mahāviyūhaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ.
Of those 84,000 chambers, I only dwelt in the great foyer.

Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti pallaṅkasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so pallaṅko hoti, yaṁ tena samayena paribhuñjāmi yadidaṁ sovaṇṇamayo vā rūpiyamayo vā dantamayo vā sāramayo vā.
Of those 84,000 couches, I only used one, made of gold or silver or ivory or heartwood.

Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti nāgasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so nāgo hoti, yaṁ tena samayena abhiruhāmi yadidaṁ uposatho nāgarājā.
Of those 84,000 bull elephants, I only rode one, the royal bull elephant named Sabbath.

Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti assasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so asso hoti, yaṁ tena samayena abhiruhāmi yadidaṁ valāhako assarājā.
Of those 84,000 horses, I only rode one, the royal horse named Thundercloud.

Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti rathasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so ratho hoti, yaṁ tena samayena abhiruhāmi yadidaṁ vejayantaratho.
Of those 84,000 chariots, I only rode one, the chariot named Triumph.

Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti itthisahassānaṁ ekāyeva sā itthī hoti, yā tena samayena paccupaṭṭhāti khattiyānī vā vessinī vā.
Of those 84,000 women, I was only served by one, a maiden of the aristocratic or peasant classes.

Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti vatthakoṭisahassānaṁ ekaṁyeva taṁ dussayugaṁ hoti, yaṁ tena samayena paridahāmi khomasukhumaṁ vā kappāsikasukhumaṁ vā koseyyasukhumaṁ vā kambalasukhumaṁ vā.
Of those 8,400,000,000 cloths, I only wore one pair, made of fine linen, cotton, silk, or wool.

Tesaṁ kho panānanda, caturāsīti thālipākasahassānaṁ ekoyeva so thālipāko hoti, yato nāḷikodanaparamaṁ bhuñjāmi tadupiyañca sūpeyyaṁ.
Of those 84,000 servings of food, I only had one, eating at most a cup of rice with suitable sauce.

Passānanda, sabbete saṅkhārā atītā niruddhā vipariṇatā.
See, Ānanda! All those conditioned phenomena have passed, ceased, and perished.

Evaṁ aniccā kho, ānanda, saṅkhārā;
So impermanent are conditions,

evaṁ addhuvā kho, ānanda, saṅkhārā;
so unstable are conditions,

evaṁ anassāsikā kho, ānanda, saṅkhārā.
so unreliable are conditions.

Yāvañcidaṁ, ānanda, alameva sabbasaṅkhāresu nibbindituṁ, alaṁ virajjituṁ, alaṁ vimuccituṁ.
This is quite enough for you to become disillusioned, dispassionate, and freed regarding all conditions.

Chakkhattuṁ kho panāhaṁ, ānanda, abhijānāmi imasmiṁ padese sarīraṁ nikkhipitaṁ, tañca kho rājāva samāno cakkavattī dhammiko dhammarājā cāturanto vijitāvī janapadatthāvariyappatto sattaratanasamannāgato, ayaṁ sattamo sarīranikkhepo.
Six times, Ānanda, I recall having laid down my body at this place. And the seventh time was as a wheel-turning monarch, a just and principled king, at which time my dominion extended to all four sides, I achieved stability in the country, and I possessed the seven treasures.

Na kho panāhaṁ, ānanda, taṁ padesaṁ samanupassāmi sadevake loke samārake sabrahmake sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiyā pajāya sadevamanussāya yattha tathāgato aṭṭhamaṁ sarīraṁ nikkhipeyyā”ti.
But Ānanda, I do not see any place in this world with its gods, Māras, and Divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans where the Realized One would lay down his body for the eighth time.”

Idamavoca bhagavā.
That is what the Buddha said.

Idaṁ vatvāna sugato athāparaṁ etadavoca satthā:
Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:

“Aniccā vata saṅkhārā,
“Oh! Conditions are impermanent,

uppādavayadhammino;
their nature is to rise and fall;

Uppajjitvā nirujjhanti,
having arisen, they cease;

tesaṁ vūpasamo sukho”ti.
their stilling is blissful.”

Mahāsudassanasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ catutthaṁ.