12: Mittànisaüsaü CBhp: Mettànisaüsaü PPV: Mittànisaüsasuttaü.01
The Advantages of Friendship

Introductory Verse

Pårento Bodhisambhàre ~ Nàtho Temiyajàtiyaü
While fulfilling the conditions for Awakening ~ the Lord, in his birth as Temiya,

mittànisaüsaü yaü àha ~ Sunandaü nàma sàrathiü.
spoke on the advantages of friendship ~ to his charioteer named Sunanda.

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

The Safeguard

1. Pahåtabhakkho bhavati ~ vippavuttho sakà gharà,
He has an abundance of food ~ (even) when away from his home,

bahå naü upajãvanti, ~ yo mittànaü na dåbhati.
many live depending on him, ~ he who does no wrong to his friends.

 

2. Yaü yaü janapadaü yàti, ~ nigame ràjadhàniyo,
Whatever country he goes to, ~ in a town or a king's capital,

sabbattha påjito hoti, ~ yo mittànaü na dåbhati.
everywhere (he goes) he is honoured, ~ he who does no wrong to his friends.

 

3. Nàssa corà pasahanti, ~ nàtimaÿÿeti khattiyo,
Thieves do not overpower him, ~ nobles do not despise him,

sabbe amitte tarati, ~ yo mittànaü na dåbhati.
he overcomes all enemies, ~ he who does no wrong to his friends.

 

4. Akkuddho sagharaü eti, ~ sabhàya pañinandito,
without anger he comes to his home, ~ he is welcome in public halls,

ÿàtãnaü uttamo hoti, ~ yo mittànaü na dåbhati.
he is the best of relatives, ~ he who does no wrong to his friends.

 

5. Sakkatvà sakkato hoti, ~ garu hoti sagàravo,
After greeting, he is greeted, ~ respectable, he is respected,

vaõõakittibhato hoti, ~ yo mittànaü na dåbhati.
he enjoys splendour and renown, ~ he who does no wrong to his friends.

 

6. Påjako labhate påjaü, ~ vandako pañivandanaü,
Honourable, he receives honour, ~ worshipful, he is worshipped,

yaso kittiÿ-ca pappoti, ~ yo mittànaü na dåbhati.
he acquires repute and renown, ~ he who does no wrong to his friends.

 

7. Aggi yathà pajjalati, ~ devatà va virocati,
Just like a fire he shines forth, ~ he is as brilliant as a god,

siriyà ajahito hoti, ~ yo mittànaü na dåbhati.
he is not abandoned by good luck, ~ he who does no wrong to his friends.

 

8. Gàvo tassa pajàyanti, ~ khette vuttaü viråhati,
His cows are productive for him, ~ what is sown in his fields grows up,

puttànaü phalam-asnàti, ~ yo mittànaü na dåbhati.
he enjoys the boon of children, ~ he who does no wrong to his friends.

 

9. Darito pabbatàto và, ~ rukkhato patito naro,
Whether that man has fallen from a cleft, a mountain, or a tree,

cuto patiññhaü labhati, ~ yo mittànaü na dåbhati.
while falling, he receives support, ~ he who does no wrong to his friends.

 

10. Viråëhamålasantànaü ~ nigrodham-iva màluto,
As the wind (cannot overpower) a banyan tree which has roots well grown,

amittà nappasahanti ~ yo mittànaü na dåbhati.
(so) enemies cannot overpower ~ he who does no wrong to his friends.

 

last updated: March 2006