sutta » sn » sn9 » Saṁyutta Nikāya 9.4

Sambahulasutta

Several Mendicants Set Out Wandering A Number

Ekaṁ samayaṁ sambahulā bhikkhū kosalesu viharanti aññatarasmiṁ vanasaṇḍe.
At one time several mendicants were staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove.
On one occasion a number of bhikkhus were dwelling among the Kosalans in a certain woodland thicket.

Atha kho te bhikkhū vassaṁvuṭṭhā temāsaccayena cārikaṁ pakkamiṁsu.
Then after completing the three months of the rainy season residence, those mendicants set out wandering.
Then, when they had spent the rains there, after the three months had passed those bhikkhus set out on tour.

Atha kho yā tasmiṁ vanasaṇḍe adhivatthā devatā te bhikkhū apassantī paridevamānā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
Not seeing those mendicants, the deity haunting that forest cried. And on that occasion they recited this verse:
Then the devatā that inhabited that woodland thicket, not seeing those bhikkhus, lamenting, on that occasion recited this verse:

“Arati viya mejja khāyati,
“Seeing so many vacated seats today,
“Today discontent appears to me

Bahuke disvāna vivitte āsane;
it seems to me they must have become dissatisfied.
When I see here so many vacant seats.

Te cittakathā bahussutā,
They were so learned, such brilliant speakers!
Where have they gone, Gotama’s disciples,

Kome gotamasāvakā gatā”ti.
Where have these disciples of Gotama gone?”
Those splendid speakers rich in learning?”

Evaṁ vutte, aññatarā devatā taṁ devataṁ gāthāya paccabhāsi:
When they had spoken, another deity replied with this verse:
When this was said, another devatā replied in verse:

“Māgadhaṁ gatā kosalaṁ gatā,
“They’ve gone to Magadha, they’ve gone to Kosala,
“They’ve gone to Magadha, gone to Kosala,

Ekacciyā pana vajjibhūmiyā;
and some are in the Vajjian lands.
And some are in the Vajjian land.

Magā viya asaṅgacārino,
Like deer that wander free of ties,
Like deer that roam free from ties,

Aniketā viharanti bhikkhavo”ti.
the mendicants live with no abode.”
The bhikkhus dwell without abode.