Mucalindavaggo
2-7: Ekaputtasuttaü (17)
The Discourse about the Only Son
Evaü me sutaü:
Thus I heard:
ekaü samayaü Bhagavà Sàvatthiyaü viharati,
at one time the Gracious One was dwelling near Sàvatthã,
Jetavane Anàthapiõóikassa àràme.
in Jeta's Wood, at Anàthapiõóika's monastery.
Tena kho pana samayena aÿÿatarassa upàsakassa
Then at that time a certain lay follower's
ekaputtako piyo manàpo kàlaïkato hoti.
only son, who was beloved and dear, had died.
Atha kho sambahulà upàsakà allavatthà allakesà, 01
Then many lay followers, with wet clothes and hair,
divàdivassa yena Bhagavà tenupasaïkamiüsu,
in the middle of the day went to the Gracious One,
upasaïkamitvà Bhagavantaü abhivàdetvà, ekamantaü nisãdiüsu.
and after going and worshipping the Gracious One, they sat down on one side.
Ekamantaü nisinne kho te upàsake Bhagavà etad-avoca:
While sat on one side the Gracious One said this to those lay followers:
ßKinnu kho tumhe upàsakà, allavatthà allakesà,
ßNow why are you lay followers, with wet clothes and hair,
idhåpasaïkantà divàdivassà?û ti.
coming here in the middle of the day?û
Evaü vutte, so upàsako Bhagavantaü etad-avoca:
When that was said, that lay follower said this to the Gracious One:
ßMayhaü kho bhante ekaputtakosi piyo manàpo kàlaïkato.
ßMy only son, who was beloved and dear, reverend Sir, has died.
Tena mayaü allavatthà allakesà idhåpasaïkantà divàdivassàû ti.
That is why we, with wet clothes and hair, are coming here in the middle of the day.û
Atha kho Bhagavà, etam-atthaü viditvà,
Then the Gracious One, having understood the significance of it,
tàyaü velàyaü imaü udànaü udànesi:
on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance:
ßPiyaråpassàdagathitàse ~ devakàyà puthumanussà ca,
ßHosts of devas and many men are tied by the satisfaction in forms that are loved,
Aghàvino parijunnà, ~ Maccuràjassa vasaü gacchanti.
Miserable and worn out, ~ they come under the power of the King of Death.
Ye ve divà ca ratto ca ~ appamattà jahanti piyaråpaü -
For sure those who are heedful day and night, give up forms that are loved -
Te ve khananti aghamålaü ~ Maccuno àmisaü durativattanû-ti.
They surely dig up the root of misery ~ (which is) Death's bait, so difficult to transcend.û