Mahàmaïgalasuttaü
The Discourse on the Great Blessings

 

Evaü me sutaü:
Thus I have heard:

ekaü samayaü Bhagavà Sàvatthiyaü viharati
at one time the Gracious One was dwelling near Sàvatthi

Jetavane Anàthapiõóikassa àràme.
at Anàthapiõóika's grounds in Jeta's Wood.

Atha kho aÿÿatarà devatà abhikkantàya rattiyà,
Then a certain god, towards the end of the night,

abhikkantavaõõà kevalakappaü Jetavanaü obhàsetvà,
having lit up the whole of Jeta's Wood with his surpassing beauty,

yena Bhagavà tenupasaïkami,
approached the Gracious One,

upasaïkamitvà Bhagavantaü abhivàdetvà, ekam-antaü aññhàsi.
and after approaching and worshipping the Gracious One, he stood on one side.

Ekam-antaü ñhità kho sà devatà Bhagavantaü gàthàya ajjhabhàsi:
While standing on one side that god addressed the Gracious One with a verse:

 

1. ßBahå devà manussà ca ~ maïgalàni acintayuü
ßMany are the gods and the men ~ who have thought about the blessings

àkaïkhamànà sotthànaü: ~ bråhi maïgalam-uttamaü.û
hoping for safety: ~ now please say what is the supreme blessing.û

 

2. ßAsevanà ca bàlànaü, ~ paõóitànaÿ-ca sevanà,
ßNot associating with fools, ~ but associating with the wise,

påjà ca påjanãyànaü: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü.
honouring those worthy of honour: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

3. Pañiråpadesavàso ca, ~ pubbe ca katapuÿÿatà,
Living in a suitable place, ~ formerly having done good deeds,

attasammàpaõidhi ca: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü.
having the right aspiration for oneself: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

4. Bàhusaccaÿ-ca sippaÿ-ca, ~ vinayo ca susikkhito,
Having great learning and craft, ~ being disciplined and well trained,

subhàsità ca yà vàcà: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü.
and whatever words are well spoken: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

5. Màtàpitu-upaññhànaü, ~ puttadàrassa saïgaho,
Attending on one's mother and father, ~ looking after one's wife and children,

anàkulà ca kammantà: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü.
having work that is not agitating: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

6. Dànaÿ-ca Dhammacariyà ca, ~ ÿàtakànaÿ-ca saïgaho,
Giving, and living by the Dhamma, ~ and looking after one's relatives,

anavajjàni kammàni: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü.
(performing) actions that are blameless: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

7. ârati virati pàpà, ~ majjapànà ca saÿÿamo,
Abstaining, refraining, from bad deeds, ~ restraint from intoxicating drink,

appamàdo ca dhammesu: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü.
being heedful regarding (all) things: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

8. Gàravo ca nivàto ca, ~ santuññhã ca kataÿÿutà,
Having respect and being humble, ~ being satisfied and grateful,

kàlena Dhammasavaõaü: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü.
listening to the Dhamma at the right time: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

9. Khantã ca sovacassatà, ~ samaõànaÿ-ca dassanaü,
Being patient and easily spoken to, ~ seeing ascetics,

kàlena Dhammasàkacchà: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü.
discussing the Dhamma at the right time: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

10. Tapo ca brahmacariyaÿ-ca, ~ ariyasaccànadassanaü,
Austerity, living spiritually, ~ insight into the noble truths,

nibbànasacchikiriyà ca: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü.
the experience of Nibbàna: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

11. Phuññhassa lokadhammehi, ~ cittaü yassa na kampati,
He whose mind does not waver, when it is touched by worldly things,

asokaü virajaü khemaü: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü.
being griefless, dustless, and secure: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

12. Etàdisàni katvàna, ~ sabbattha-m-aparàjità,
Having done as here directed, ~ being undefeated everywhere,

sabbattha sotthiü gacchanti: ~ taü tesaü maïgalam-uttamanû-ti.
they go everywhere in safety: ~ for them this is the supreme blessing.û

 

Verse of Blessing

Etena saccavajjena ~ sotthi te hotu sabbadà!
By this declaration of the truth ~ may you be safe at all times!

Etena saccavajjena ~ hotu te jayamaïgalaü!
By this declaration of the truth ~ may you have the blessing of success!

Etena saccavajjena ~ sabbarogo vinassatu!
By this declaration of the truth ~ may all disease be destroyed!

 

last updated: May 2007