sutta » sn » sn3 » Saṁyutta Nikāya 3.10

Bandhanasutta

Shackles Bondage

Tena kho pana samayena raññā pasenadinā kosalena mahājanakāyo bandhāpito hoti, appekacce rajjūhi appekacce andūhi appekacce saṅkhalikāhi.
Now at that time a large group of people had been put in shackles by King Pasenadi of Kosala—some in ropes, some in manacles, some in chains.
Now on that occasion a great mass of people had been put in bondage by King Pasenadi of Kosala—some with ropes, some with clogs, some with chains.

Atha kho sambahulā bhikkhū pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pavisiṁsu.
Then several mendicants robed up in the morning and, taking their bowls and robes, entered Sāvatthī for alms.
Then, in the morning, a number of bhikkhus dressed and, taking their bowls and robes, entered Sāvatthī for alms.

Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkantā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:
Then, after the meal, when they returned from almsround, they went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what was happening.
When they had walked for alms in Sāvatthī and had returned from their alms round, after the meal they approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, sat down to one side, and said:

“idha, bhante, raññā pasenadinā kosalena mahājanakāyo bandhāpito, appekacce rajjūhi appekacce andūhi appekacce saṅkhalikāhī”ti.
“Here, venerable sir, a great mass of people have been put in bondage by King Pasenadi of Kosala, some with ropes, some with clogs, some with chains. ”

Atha kho bhagavā etamatthaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imā gāthāyo abhāsi:
Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha recited these verses:
Then the Blessed One, having understood the meaning of this, on that occasion recited these verses:

“Na taṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā,
“The attentive say that shackle is not strong
“That bond, the wise say, is not strong

Yadāyasaṁ dārujaṁ pabbajañca;
that’s made of iron, wood, or knots.
Made of iron, wood, or rope;

Sārattarattā maṇikuṇḍalesu,
But obsession with jeweled earrings,
But infatuation with jewellery and earrings,

Puttesu dāresu ca yā apekkhā.
concern for your partners and children:
Anxious concern for wives and children—

Etaṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā,
this, say the attentive, is a strong shackle
This, the wise say, is the strong bond,

Ohārinaṁ sithilaṁ duppamuñcaṁ;
dragging the indulgent down, hard to escape.
Degrading, supple, hard to escape.

Etampi chetvāna paribbajanti,
Having cut this one too they go forth,
But even this they cut and wander forth,

Anapekkhino kāmasukhaṁ pahāyā”ti.
unconcerned, having given up sensual pleasures.”
Unconcerned, having abandoned sensual pleasures. ”

Paṭhamo vaggo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Daharo puriso jarā,

piyaṁ attānarakkhito;

Appakā aḍḍakaraṇaṁ,

mallikā yaññabandhananti.