“Bahū devā manussā ca ~ maṅgalāni acintayuṁ
“Many are the gods and the men ~ who have thought about the blessings

ākaṅkhamānā sotthānaṁ: ~ brūhi maṅgalam-uttamaṁ. ” [1]
hoping for safety: ~ now please say what is the supreme blessing.”

 

“Asevanā ca bālānaṁ, ~ paṇḍitānañ-ca sevanā,
“Not associating with fools, ~ but associating with the wise,

pūjā ca pūjanīyānaṁ: ~ etaṁ maṅgalam-uttamaṁ. [2]
honouring those worthy of honour: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Paṭirūpadesavāso ca, ~ pubbe ca katapuññatā,
Living in a suitable place, ~ formerly having done good deeds,

attasammāpaṇidhi ca: ~ etaṁ maṅgalam-uttamaṁ. [3]
having the right aspiration for oneself: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Bāhusaccañ-ca sippañ-ca, ~ vinayo ca susikkhito,
Having great learning and craft, ~ being disciplined and well trained,

subhāsitā ca yā vācā: ~ etaṁ maṅgalam-uttamaṁ. [4]
and whatever words are well spoken: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Mātāpitu-upaṭṭhānaṁ, ~ puttadārassa saṅgaho,
Attending on one's mother and father, ~ looking after one's wife and children,

anākulā ca kammantā: ~ etaṁ maṅgalam-uttamaṁ. [5]
having work that is not agitating: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Dānañ-ca Dhammacariyā ca, ~ ñātakānañ-ca saṅgaho,
Giving, and living by the Dhamma, ~ and looking after one's relatives,

anavajjāni kammāni: ~ etaṁ maṅgalam-uttamaṁ. [6]
(performing) actions that are blameless: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Ārati virati pāpā, ~ majjapānā ca saññamo,
Abstaining, refraining, from bad deeds, ~ restraint from intoxicating drink,

appamādo ca dhammesu: ~ etaṁ maṅgalam-uttamaṁ. [7]
being heedful regarding (all) things: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Gāravo ca nivāto ca, ~ santuṭṭhī ca kataññutā,
Having respect and being humble, ~ being satisfied and grateful,

kālena Dhammasavaṇaṁ: ~ etaṁ maṅgalam-uttamaṁ. [8]
listening to the Dhamma at the right time: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Khantī ca sovacassatā, ~ samaṇānañ-ca dassanaṁ,
Being patient and easily spoken to, ~ seeing ascetics,

kālena Dhammasākacchā: ~ etaṁ maṅgalam-uttamaṁ. [9]
discussing the Dhamma at the right time: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Tapo ca brahmacariyañ-ca, ~ ariyasaccānadassanaṁ,
Austerity, living spiritually, ~ insight into the noble truths,

nibbānasacchikiriyā ca: ~ etaṁ maṅgalam-uttamaṁ. [10]
the experience of Nibbāna: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Phuṭṭhassa lokadhammehi, ~ cittaṁ yassa na kampati,
He whose mind does not waver, when it is touched by worldly things,

asokaṁ virajaṁ khemaṁ: ~ etaṁ maṅgalam-uttamaṁ. [11]
being griefless, dustless, and secure: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Etādisāni katvāna, ~ sabbattha-m-aparājitā,
Having done as here directed, ~ being undefeated everywhere,

sabbattha sotthiṁ gacchanti: ~ taṁ tesaṁ maṅgalam-uttaman”-ti. [12]
they go everywhere in safety: ~ for them this is the supreme blessing.”