Pāṭaligāmiyavaggo
8-6: Pāṭaligāmiyasuttaṁ (76)
The Discourse about the Pāṭali Villagers
Evaṁ me sutaṁ:
Thus I heard:
ekaṁ samayaṁ Bhagavā Magadhesu cārikaṁ caramāno
at one time the Gracious One was walking on walking tour amongst the Magadhans
mahatā Bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ, yena Pāṭaligāmo tad-avasari.
with a great Community of monks, and arrived at Pāṭaligāma.
Assosuṁ kho Pāṭaligāmiyā upāsakā:
The lay followers of Pāṭaligāma heard:
“Bhagavā kira Magadhesu cārikaṁ caramāno
“The Gracious One, it seems, is walking on walking tour amongst the Magadhans
mahatā Bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ Pāṭaligāmaṁ anuppatto” ti.
with a great Community of monks, and has arrived at Pāṭaligāma.”
Atha kho Pāṭaligāmiyā upāsakā yena Bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu,
Then the lay followers of Pāṭaligāma went to the Gracious One,
upasaṅkamitvā Bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā, ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.
and after going and worshipping the Gracious One, they sat down on one side.
Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho
While sat on one side
Pāṭaligāmiyā upāsakā Bhagavantaṁ etad-avocuṁ:
the lay followers of Pāṭaligāma said this to the Gracious One:
“Adhivāsetu no bhante Bhagavā āvasathāgāran”-ti.
“May the Gracious One consent, reverend Sir, to (stay in) our rest house.”
Adhivāsesi Bhagavā tunhībhāvena.
The Gracious One consented by maintaining silence.
Atha kho Pāṭaligāmiyā upāsakā Bhagavato adhivāsanaṁ viditvā,
Then the lay followers of Pāṭaligāma, having understood the Gracious One's consent,
uṭṭhāyāsanā, Bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā, padakkhiṇaṁ katvā,
after rising from their seats, worshipping and circumambulating the Gracious One,
yena āvasathāgāraṁ tenupasaṅkamiṁsu,
went to their rest house,
upasaṅkamitvā, sabbasanthariṁ āvasathāgāraṁ santharitvā,
and after going, and spreading (the mats) so that the rest house was spread all over,
āsanāni paññāpetvā, udakamaṇikaṁ patiṭṭhāpetvā,
and preparing the seats, setting up the water-pot,
telappadīpaṁ āropetvā, Āropetvā here is glossed in the Commentary with jālayitvā.01 yena Bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu,
and lighting the oil-lamp, they went to the Gracious One,
upasaṅkamitvā Bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā, ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu.
and after going and worshipping the Gracious One, they stood on one side.
Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho
While stood on one side
Pāṭaligāmiyā upāsakā Bhagavantaṁ etad-avocuṁ:
the lay followers of Pāṭaligāma said this to the Gracious One:
“Sabbasantharisanthataṁ bhante āvasathāgāraṁ,
“The rest house is spread with mats all over, reverend Sir,
āsanāni paññattāni, udakamaṇiko patiṭṭhāpito, telappadīpo āropito,
the seats are prepared, the water-pot is set up, and the oil-lamp is lit,
yassa dāni bhante Bhagavā kālaṁ maññatī” ti.
now is the time for whatever the Gracious One is thinking, reverend Sir.”
Atha kho Bhagavā nivāsetvā, pattacīvaram-ādāya,
Then the Gracious One, having dressed, after picking up his bowl and robe,
saddhiṁ Bhikkhusaṅghena, yena āvasathāgāraṁ tenupasaṅkami,
together with the Community of monks, went to the rest house,
upasaṅkamitvā, pāde pakkhāletvā, āvasathāgāraṁ pavisitvā,
and after going, washing his feet, and entering the rest house,
majjhimaṁ thambhaṁ nissāya puratthābhimukho nisīdi,
he sat down near to the middle pillar, facing the East,
Bhikkhusaṅgho pi kho pāde pakkhāletvā, āvasathāgāraṁ pavisitvā,
and the Community of monks, having washed their feet, and entering the rest house,
pacchimaṁ bhittiṁ nissāya puratthābhimukho nisīdi,
sat down near the West wall, facing the East,
Bhagavantaṁ yeva purekkhatvā.
having the Gracious One at the front.
Pāṭaligāmiyā pi kho upāsakā, pāde pakkhaletvā,
Also the lay followers of Pāṭaligāma, having washed their feet,
āvasathāgāraṁ pavisitvā, puratthimaṁ bhittiṁ nissāya
o entered the rest house, sat down near the East wall,
pacchimābhimukhā nisīdiṁsu, Bhagavantaṁ yeva purekkhatvā.
facing the West, having the Gracious One at the front.
Atha kho Bhagavā Pāṭaligāmiye upāsake āmantesi:
Then the Gracious One addressed the lay followers of Pāṭaligāma, (saying):
“Pañcime gahapatayo ādīnavā dussīlassa sīlavipattiyā.
“There are these five dangers, householders, for one lacking in virtue, for one who has lost his virtue.
Katame pañca?
What are the five?
1. Idha gahapatayo dussīlo sīlavipanno,
Here, householders, one lacking in virtue, one who has lost his virtue,
pamādādhikaraṇaṁ mahatiṁ bhogajāniṁ nigacchati.
because of being heedless undergoes a great loss of riches.
Ayaṁ paṭhamo ādīnavo dussīlassa sīlavipattiyā.
This is the first danger for one lacking in virtue, for one who has lost his virtue.
2. Puna caparaṁ gahapatayo dussīlassa sīlavipannassa
Furthermore, householders, for one lacking in virtue, for one who has lost his virtue,
pāpako kittisaddo abbhuggacchati.
a bad report goes round.
Ayaṁ dutiyo ādīnavo dussīlassa sīlavipattiyā.
This is the second danger for one lacking in virtue, for one who has lost his virtue.
3. Puna caparaṁ gahapatayo dussīlo sīlavipanno
Furthermore, householders, one lacking in virtue, one who has lost his virtue,
yaññad-eva parisaṁ upasaṅkamati,
whatever assembly he goes to,
yadi khattiyaparisaṁ yadi brāhmaṇaparisaṁ yadi,
whether an assembly of nobles, or an assembly of brāhmaṇas,
gahapatiparisaṁ yadi samaṇaparisaṁ,
or an assembly of householders, or an assembly of ascetics,
avisārado upasaṅkamati maṅkubhūto.
he goes without confidence, with confusion.
Ayaṁ tatiyo ādīnavo dussīlassa sīlavipattiyā.
This is the third danger for one lacking in virtue, for one who has lost his virtue.
4. Puna caparaṁ gahapatayo dussīlo sīlavipanno
Furthermore, householders, one lacking in virtue, one who has lost his virtue,
sammūḷho kālaṁ karoti.
dies bewildered.
Ayaṁ catuttho ādīnavo dussīlassa sīlavipattiyā.
This is the fourth danger for one lacking in virtue, for one who has lost his virtue.
5. Puna caparaṁ gahapatayo dussīlo sīlavipanno
Furthermore, householders, one lacking in virtue, one who has lost his virtue,
kāyassa bhedā, param-maraṇā,
at the break up of the body, after death,
apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.
arises in the lower world, in an unfortunate destiny, in the fall, in the nether regions.
Ayaṁ pañcamo ādīnavo dussīlassa sīlavipattiyā.
This is the fifth danger for one lacking in virtue, for one who has lost his virtue.
Ime kho gahapatayo pañca ādīnavā dussīlassa sīlavipattiyā ti.
These are the five dangers, householders, for one lacking in virtue, for one who has lost his virtue.
Pañcime gahapatayo ānisaṁsā sīlavato sīlasampadāya.
There are these five advantages, householders, for one who is virtuous, for one accomplished in virtue.
Katame pañca?
What are the five?
1. Idha gahapatayo sīlavā sīlasampanno,
Here, householders, one who is virtuous, one accomplished in virtue,
appamādādhikaraṇaṁ mahantaṁ bhogakkhandhaṁ adhigacchati.
because of being heedful obtains a great mass of riches.
Ayaṁ paṭhamo ānisaṁso sīlavato sīlasampadāya.
This is the first advantage for one who is virtuous, for one accomplished in virtue.
2. Puna caparaṁ gahapatayo sīlavā sīlasampannassa,
Furthermore, householders, of one who is virtuous, of one accomplished in virtue,
kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggacchati.
a good report goes round.
Ayaṁ dutiyo ānisaṁso sīlavato sīlasampadāya.
This is the second advantage for one who is virtuous, for one accomplished in virtue.
3. Puna caparaṁ gahapatayo sīlavā sīlasampanno,
Furthermore, householders, one who is virtuous, one accomplished in virtue,
yaññad-eva parisaṁ upasaṅkamati,
whatever assembly he goes to,
yadi khattiyaparisaṁ yadi brāhmaṇaparisaṁ
whether an assembly of nobles, or an assembly of brāhmaṇas,
yadi gahapatiparisaṁ yadi samaṇaparisaṁ,
or an assembly of householders, or an assembly of ascetics,
visārado upasaṅkamati amaṅkubhūto.
goes with confidence, without confusion.
Ayaṁ tatiyo ānisaṁso sīlavato sīlasampadāya.
This is the third advantage for one who is virtuous, for one accomplished in virtue.
4. Puna caparaṁ gahapatayo sīlavā sīlasampanno,
Furthermore, householders, one who is virtuous, one accomplished in virtue,
asammūḷho kālaṁ karoti.
dies without being bewildered.
Ayaṁ catuttho ānisaṁso sīlavato sīlasampadāya.
This is the fourth advantage for one who is virtuous, for one accomplished in virtue.
5. Puna caparaṁ gahapatayo sīlavā sīlasampanno,
Furthermore, householders, one who is virtuous, one accomplished in virtue,
kāyassa bhedā param-maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati.
at the break up of the body, after death, arises in a fortunate destiny, in a heavenly world.
Ayaṁ pañcamo ānisaṁso sīlavato sīlasampadāya.
This is the fifth advantage for one who is virtuous, for one accomplished in virtue.
Ime kho gahapatayo pañca ānisaṁsā sīlavato sīlasampadāyā” ti.
These are the five advantages, householders, for one who is virtuous, for one accomplished in virtue.”
Atha kho Bhagavā, Pāṭaligāmiye upāsake,
o Then the Gracious One, after instructing, rousing,
bahud-eva rattiṁ Dhammiyā kathāya,
o enthusing, and cheering the lay followers of Pāṭaligāma
sandassetvā samādapetvā samuttejetvā sampahaṁsetvā, uyyojesi:
for most of the night with a Dhamma talk, dismissed them, (saying):
“Abhikkantā kho gahapatayo ratti,
“The night has passed, householders,
yassa dāni tumhe kālaṁ maññathā” ti.
now is the time for whatever you are thinking.”
Atha kho Pāṭaligāmiyā upāsakā,
Then the lay followers of Pāṭaligāma,
Bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā, uṭṭhāyāsanā,
after greatly rejoicing and gladly receiving this word of the Gracious One, rising from their seats,
Bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā, pakkamiṁsu.
worshipping and circumambulating the Gracious One, went away.
Atha kho Bhagavā, acirapakkantesu Pāṭaligāmiyesu upāsakesu,
Then the Gracious One, not long after the lay followers of Pāṭaligāma had gone,
suññāgāraṁ pāvisi.
entered an empty place.
Tena kho pana samayena Sunīdha-Vassakārā Magadhamahāmattā
Then at that time the Magadhan chief ministers Sunīdha and Vassakāra
Pāṭaligāme nagaraṁ māpenti Vajjinaṁ paṭibāhāya.
were building up a city at Pāṭaligāma to ward off the Vajjians.
Tena kho pana samayena sambahulā devatāyo, sahassasahasseva,
Then at that time a great many devatās, thousands upon thousands,
Pāṭaligāme vatthūni pariggaṇhanti.
were taking possession of grounds at Pāṭaligāma.
Yasmiṁ padese mahesakkhā devatā vatthūni pariggaṇhanti,
In that place where the great devatās took possession of grounds,
mahesakkhānaṁ tattha raññaṁ rājamahāmattānaṁ
there the powerful rulers' and great royal ministers'
cittāni namanti nivesanāni māpetuṁ.
minds inclined to building up residences.
Yasmiṁ padese majjhimā devatā vatthūni pariggaṇhanti,
In that place where the middling devatās took possession of grounds,
majjhimānaṁ tattha raññaṁ rājamahāmattānaṁ
there the middling rulers' and middling royal ministers'
cittāni namanti nivesanāni māpetuṁ.
minds inclined to building up residences.
Yasmiṁ padese nīcā devatā vatthūni pariggaṇhanti,
In that place where the lower devatās took possession of grounds,
nīcānaṁ tattha raññaṁ rājamahāmattānaṁ
there the lower rulers' and lower royal ministers'
cittāni namanti nivesanāni māpetuṁ.
minds inclined to building up residences.
Addasā kho Bhagavā dibbena cakkhunā,
The Gracious One saw with his divine-eye,
visuddhena atikkantamānusakena,
which is purified, and surpasses that of (normal) men,
tā devatāya sahassasahasseva Pāṭaligāme vatthūni pariggaṇhantiyo.
that those devatās, thousands upon thousands, were taking possession of grounds at Pāṭaligāma.
Yasmiṁ padese mahesakkhā devatā vatthūni pariggaṇhanti,
In that place where the great devatās took possession of grounds,
mahesakkhānaṁ tattha raññaṁ rājamahāmattānaṁ
there the powerful rulers' and great royal ministers'
cittāni namanti nivesanāni māpetuṁ.
minds inclined to building up residences.
Yasmiṁ padese majjhimā devatā vatthūni pariggaṇhanti,
In that place where the middling devatās took possession of grounds,
majjhimānaṁ tattha raññaṁ rājamahāmattānaṁ
there the middling rulers' and middling royal ministers'
cittāni namanti nivesanāni māpetuṁ.
minds inclined to building up residences.
Yasmiṁ padese nīcā devatā vatthūni pariggaṇhanti,
In that place where the lower devatās took possession of grounds,
nīcānaṁ tattha raññaṁ rājamahāmattānaṁ
there the lower rulers' and lower royal ministers'
cittāni namanti nivesanāni māpetun-ti.
minds inclined to building up residences.
Atha kho Bhagavā tassā rattiyā paccūsasamaye paccuṭṭhāya,
Then towards the time of dawn, having risen from his seat, the Gracious One
āyasmantaṁ Ānandaṁ āmantesi:
addressed venerable Ānanda, (saying):
“Ko nu kho Ānanda Pāṭaligāme nagaraṁ māpetī?” ti.
“Now who, Ānanda, is building a city at Pāṭaligāma?”
“Sunīdha-Vassakārā bhante Magadhamahāmattā
“The Magadhan chief ministers Sunīdha and Vassakāra, reverend Sir,
Pāṭaligāme nagaraṁ māpenti Vajjinaṁ paṭibāhāyā” ti.
are building up a city at Pāṭaligāma to ward off the Vajjians.”
“Seyyathā pi Ānanda devehi Tāvatiṁsehi saddhiṁ mantetvā,
“It is just as though, Ānanda, after consulting with the Tāvatiṁsa devas,
evam-eva kho Ānanda Sunīdha-Vassakārā Magadhamahāmattā,
in the same way, Ānanda, the Magadhan chief ministers Sunīdha and Vassakāra,
Pāṭaligāme nagaraṁ māpenti Vajjinaṁ paṭibāhāya.
are building up a city at Pāṭaligāma to ward off the Vajjians.
Idhāhaṁ Ānanda addasaṁ dibbena cakkhunā,
Here, Ānanda, I saw with my divine-eye,
visuddhena atikkantamānusakena
which is purified, and surpasses that of (normal) men,
sambahulā devatāyo sahassasahasseva,
that a great many devatās, thousands upon thousands,
Pāṭaligāme vatthūni pariggaṇhantiyo.
were taking possession of grounds at Pāṭaligāma.
Yasmiṁ padese mahesakkhā devatā vatthūni pariggaṇhanti,
In that place where the great devatās took possession of grounds,
mahesakkhānaṁ tattha raññaṁ rājamahāmattānaṁ
there the powerful rulers' and great royal ministers'
cittāni namanti nivesanāni māpetuṁ.
minds inclined to building up residences.
Yasmiṁ padese majjhimā devatā vatthūni pariggaṇhanti,
In that place where the middling devatās took possession of grounds,
majjhimānaṁ tattha raññaṁ rājamahāmattānaṁ
there the middling rulers' and middling royal ministers'
cittāni namanti nivesanāni māpetuṁ.
minds inclined to building up residences.
Yasmiṁ padese nīcā devatā vatthūni pariggaṇhanti,
In that place where the lower devatās took possession of grounds,
nīcānaṁ tattha raññaṁ rājamahāmattānaṁ
there the lower rulers' and lower royal ministers'
cittāni namanti nivesanāni māpetun-ti.
minds inclined to building up residences.
Yāvatā Ānanda Ariyaṁ āyatanaṁ, yāvatā vaṇippatho, - patho here is pleonastic giving abstract sense (PED, s.v. vaṇi & patha), and does not mean (trade) routes, as Ireland has it.03
For as long, Ānanda, as there is an Ariyan sphere (of influence), for as long as there is trade,
idaṁ agganagaraṁ bhavissati Pāṭaliputtaṁ puṭabhedanaṁ. Basket-opening (place), appears to mean a place where there is a market = the market town of Pāṭaliputta. There is a play on the name Pāṭaliputta in the Pāḷi, which probably was originally spelt Pāṭalipuṭa, meaning: the place where the Pāṭali pods open up.04
this basket-opening Pāṭaliputta will be the chief city.
Pāṭaliputtassa kho Ānanda tayo antarāyā bhavissanti:
Fot Pāṭaliputta, Ānanda, there will be three dangers:
aggito vā udakato vā mithubhedato vā” ti. The Commentary here defines vā as having the sense of a conjunction (as opposed to its normal sense of a disjunction), and says that the three dangers will arise simultaneously in different parts of the city.05
from fire and from water and from the breaking of an alliance.”
Atha kho Sunīdha-Vassakārā Magadhamahāmattā
Then the Magadhan chief ministers Sunīdha and Vassakāra
yena Bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu,
went to the Gracious One,
upasaṅkamitvā, Bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu,
and after going, they exchanged greetings with the Gracious One
sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sārāṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā, ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu.
and after exchanging courteous talk and greetings, they stood on one side.
Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho Sunīdha-Vassakārā Magadhamahāmattā
While stood on one side the Magadhan chief ministers Sunīdha and Vassakāra
Bhagavantaṁ etad-avocuṁ:
said this to the Gracious One:
“Adhivāsetu no bhavaṁ Gotamo,
“May Gotama consent, dear Sir, to us
ajjatanāya bhattaṁ saddhiṁ Bhikkhusaṅghenā” ti.
(offering him) a meal today, together with the Community of monks.”
Adhivāsesi Bhagavā tunhībhāvena.
The Gracious One consented by maintaining silence.
Atha kho Sunīdha-Vassakārā Magadhamahāmattā
Then the Magadhan chief ministers Sunīdha and Vassakāra
Bhagavato adhivāsanaṁ viditvā, yena sako āvasatho tenupasaṅkamiṁsu,
having understood the Gracious One's consent, went to their own dwelling,
upasaṅkamitvā, sake āvasathe
and after going, in their own dwellings
paṇītaṁ khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ paṭiyādāpetvā,
having had excellent comestibles and edibles made ready,
Bhagavato kālaṁ ārocesuṁ: “Kālo bho Gotama niṭṭhitaṁ bhattan”-ti.
announced the time to the Gracious One, (saying): “It is time, dear Gotama, the meal is ready.”
Atha kho Bhagavā, pubbanhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā,
Then the Gracious One, having dressed in the morning time,
pattacīvaram-ādāya, saddhiṁ Bhikkhusaṅghena,
after picking up his bowl and robe, together with the Community of monks,
yena Sunīdha-Vassakārānaṁ Magadhamahāmattānaṁ
o went to the dwelling of the Magadhan chief ministers
āvasatho tenupasaṅkami, upasaṅkamitvā, paññatte āsane nisīdi.
Sunīdha and Vassakāra, and after going, he sat down on the prepared seat.
Atha kho Sunīdha-Vassakārā Magadhamahāmattā
Then the Magadhan chief ministers Sunīdha and Vassakāra
Buddhapamukhaṁ Bhikkhusaṅghaṁ panītena
o with their own hands served and satisfied the Community of monks with the Buddha at its head
khādanīyena bhojanīyena sahatthā santappesuṁ sampavāresuṁ.
with excellent comestibles and edibles.
Atha kho Sunīdha-Vassakārā Magadhamahāmattā,
Then the Magadhan chief ministers Sunīdha and Vassakāra,
Bhagavantaṁ bhuttāviṁ onītapattapāṇiṁ,
when the Gracious One had eaten and washed his hand and bowl,
aññataraṁ nīcaṁ āsanaṁ gahetvā, ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.
having taken a low seat, sat down on one side.
Ekamantaṁ nisinne kho Sunīdha-Vassakāre Magadhamahāmatte Bhagavā
o While sat on one side the Gracious One rejoiced the Magadhan chief ministers Sunīdha and Vassakāra
imāhi gāthāhi anumodi:
with these verses:
“Yasmiṁ padese kappeti ~ vāsaṁ, paṇḍitajātiyo
o “In that place where he makes his dwelling, having entertained
Sīlavantettha bhojetvā, ~ saññate brahmacārayo,
The wise and virtuous here, ~ the restrained, who live the spiritual life,
Yā tattha devatā āsuṁ ~ tāsaṁ dakkhiṇam-ādise. The pādayuga is the normal syntactical unit in the verses in the Canon, and only occasionally is it necessary to take two pādayugas together to get a complete sentence. Here, however, very unusually, we can see from the verbal syntax that we have to take three pādayugas together to make a complete sentence. This shows that what we have here is 2 verses of 3 pādayugas each, and they should be divided as such.06
He should dedicate a gift to the devatās who are in that place.
Tā pūjitā pūjayanti ~ mānitā mānayanti naṁ.
Honoured, they pay honour, ~ revered, they revere him.
Tato naṁ anukampanti, ~ mātā puttaṁ va orasaṁ,
Thereafter they have compassion on him, ~ as a mother on her own son,
Devatānukampito poso ~ sadā bhadrāni passatī” ti
A man whom the devatās have compassion on ~ always sees what is auspicious.”
Atha kho Bhagavā Sunīdha-Vassakārānaṁ Magadhamahāmattānaṁ
o Then the Gracious One after rejoicing the Magadhan chief ministers Sunīdha and Vassakāra
imāhi gāthāhi anumoditvā, uṭṭhāyāsanā, pakkāmi.
with these verses, and rising from his seat, went away.
Tena kho pana samayena Sunīdha-Vassakārā Magadhamahāmattā
Then at that time the Magadhan chief ministers Sunīdha and Vassakāra
Bhagavantaṁ piṭṭhito piṭṭhito anubaddhā honti:
were following close behind the Gracious One, (thinking):
“Yenajja samaṇo Gotame dvārena nikkhamissati
“That gate by which the ascetic Gotama leaves
taṁ Gotamadvāraṁ nāma bhavissati,
will get the name the Gotama Gate,
yena titthena Gaṅgaṁ nadiṁ tarissati
and that ford by which he crosses the river Gaṅgā
taṁ Gotamatitthaṁ nāma bhavissatī” ti.
will get the name the Gotama Ford.”
Atha kho Bhagavā yena dvārena nikkhami,
Then that gate by which the Gracious One left
taṁ Gotamadvāraṁ nāma ahosi,
got the name the Gotama Gate,
atha kho Bhagavā yena Gaṅgā nadī tenupasaṅkami.
then the Gracious One went to the river Gaṅgā.
Tena kho pana samayena Gaṅgā nadī pūrā hoti samatittikā kākapeyyā.
Then at that time the river Gaṅgā was full to the brim, and could be drunk from by crows (perched on the bank).
Appekacce manussā nāvaṁ pariyesanti,
Some of the people were seeking boats,
appekacce uḷumpaṁ pariyesanti,
some were seeking floats,
appekacce kullaṁ bandhanti, apārāpāraṁ gantukāmā.
and some were binding rafts, desiring to go from this shore to the shore beyond.
Atha kho Bhagavā seyyathā pi nāma balavā puriso
Then the Gracious One, just as a strong man
sammiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ sammiññeyya,
might stretch out a bent arm, or bend in an outstretched arm,
evam-eva Gaṅgāya nadiyā orimatīre antarahito,
so did he vanish from the near bank of the river Gaṅgā,
pārimatīre paccuṭṭhāsi saddhiṁ Bhikkhusaṅghena.
and reappeared on the far bank, together with the Community of monks.
Addasā kho Bhagavā te manusse, appekacce nāvaṁ pariyesante,
The Gracious One saw those people, some seeking boats,
appekacce uḷumpaṁ pariyesante,
some seeking floats,
appekacce kullaṁ bandhante, apārāpāraṁ gantukāme.
and some binding rafts, desiring to go from this shore to the shore beyond.
Atha kho Bhagavā, etam-atthaṁ viditvā,
Then the Gracious One, having understood the significance of it,
tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ udānaṁ udānesi:
on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance:
“Ye taranti aṇṇavaṁ saraṁ,
“Those who cross over a sea or a lake,
Setuṁ katvāna, visajja pallalāni.
(Do so) after making a bridge, and leaving the pond behind.
Kullaṁ hi jano pabandhati,
(While) people are still binding together a raft,
Tiṇṇā medhāvino janā” ti.
Intelligent people have crossed over.”