Yaü maïgalaü dvàdasasu ~ cintayiüsu sadevakà,
What a blessing is was thought about by gods and men for twelve (years),

sotthànaü nàdhigacchanti; ~ aññhatiüsaÿ-ca maïgalaü
but they did not attain (true) safety; ~ the thirty-eight blessings

desitaü devadevena ~ sabbapàpavinàsanaü.
which were preached by the god of gods ~ make all that is bad perish.

Sabbalokahitatthàya ~ parittaü taü bhaõàmahe. CBhp: mangalaü tam bhaõàmahe.⁰¹
For the whole world's benefit and welfare ~ we will recite that safeguard.

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