The Discourse about Those with Knotted Hair

Udāna 6: Jaccandhavaggo
The Chapter (including the Discourse) about the Congenitally Blind

Thus I heard:
at one time the Fortunate One was dwelling near Sāvatthī, at the Eastern Monastery in Migāra’s mother’s mansion.

Then at that time the Fortunate One, having risen from seclusion in the evening time, was sitting outside the doorway. Then the Kosalan King Pasenadi went to the Fortunate One, and after going and worshipping the Fortunate One, he sat down on one side. Then at that time seven knotted-haired ascetics, seven of those knot-free (i.e. Jainas), seven naked ascetics, seven one-cloakers, and seven wanderers, with their nails, armpit-hair, and body hair grown long, having taken up their various requisites, were passing by not far away from the Fortunate One.

The Kosalan King Pasenadi saw those seven knotted-haired ascetics, seven of those knot-free, seven naked ascetics, seven one-cloakers, and seven wanderers, with their nails, armpit-hair, and body hair grown long, who, having taken up their various requisites, were passing by not far away from the Fortunate One. Having seen (them), after rising from his seat, arranging his outer robe on one shoulder, placing his right knee-cap on the ground, towards the place where those seven knotted-haired ascetics, seven of those knot-free, seven naked ascetics, seven one-cloakers, and seven wanderers were, raising his hands in respectful salutation, he three times announced his name, (saying): “Reverend Sirs, I am the Kosalan King Pasenadi.”

Then the Kosalan King Pasenadi, not long after those seven knotted-haired ascetics, seven of those knot-free, seven naked ascetics, seven one-cloakers, and seven wanderers had gone, went to the Fortunate One, and after going and worshipping the Fortunate One, he sat down on one side. While sat on one side the Kosalan King Pasenadi said this to the Fortunate One: “Among those in the world reverend Sir, who are Worthy Ones, or have entered the path to Worthiness, these are some of them.”

“But this is hard to know, Great King, by you, a householder, partaking of sense pleasures, by one dwelling in a sleeping place crowded with sons, by one enjoying sandalwood from Kāsi, by one wearing garlands, scents, and creams, by one delighting in gold and silver: ‘These are Worthy Ones, or these have entered the path to Worthiness.’

Through living together, Great King, one can understand (a person’s) virtue, and that after a long time, and not after a short time, by one applying the mind, not by one not applying the mind, by one with wisdom, not by one with poor wisdom.

Through having dealings together, Great King, one can understand (a person’s) purity, and that after a long time, and not after a short time, by one applying the mind, not by one not applying the mind, by one with wisdom, not by one with poor wisdom.

Through misfortunes, Great King, one can understand (a person’s) stamina, and that after a long time, and not after a short time, by one applying the mind, not by one not applying the mind, by one with wisdom, not by one with poor wisdom.

Through discussion, Great King, one can understand (a person’s) wisdom, and that after a long time, and not after a short time, by one applying the mind, not by one not applying the mind, by one with wisdom, not by one with poor wisdom.”

“It is wonderful, reverend Sir, it is marvellous, reverend Sir, how well spoken that was, reverend Sir, by the Fortunate One: ‘But this is hard to know, Great King, by you, a householder, partaking of sense pleasures, by one dwelling in a sleeping place crowded with sons, by one enjoying sandalwood from Kāsi, by one wearing garlands, scents, and creams, by one delighting in gold and silver: “These are Worthy, or these have entered the path to Worthiness.”

These, reverend Sir, are my men, imposters and spies, who are returning after spying on the country, for first they have gone down (to the country), and afterwards I will go down. There are numerous variant readings for this word in the editions - any translation should be considered tentative.

Now these, reverend Sir, having removed dust and dirt, being bathed, well annointed, with trimmed hair and beards, dressed in clean clothes, and provided with and possessing the five strands of sensual pleasures, will amuse themselves.”

Then the Fortunate One, having understood the significance of it, on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance: