Saṁyutta Nikāya 1.54
Translators: sujato and bodhi
Linked Discourses 1.54
6. Jarāvagga
6. Old Age
Vatthusutta
Support Grounds
“Kiṁsu vatthu manussānaṁ,
“What is the support of human beings?
“What is the ground of human beings?
kiṁsūdha paramo sakhā;
What is the best companion here?
What is the best companion here?
Kiṁsu bhūtā upajīvanti,
The creatures who dwell on the earth—
By what do the creatures who live off the earth
ye pāṇā pathavissitā”ti.
By what do they sustain their life?”
sustain their life?”
“Puttā vatthu manussānaṁ,
“Sons are the support of human beings,
“Children are the ground of human beings.
bhariyā ca paramo sakhā;
A wife the best companion;
A wife is the best companion.
Vuṭṭhiṁ bhūtā upajīvanti,
The creatures who dwell on the earth
The creatures who live off the earth
ye pāṇā pathavissitā”ti.
Sustain their life by rain. ”
sustain their life by rain.”