The Buddha teaches on nakula’s father, presenting a sixfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 6.16 Nakula’s Father

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā bhaggesu viharati susumāragire bhesakaḷāvane migadāye. Tena kho pana samayena nakulapitā gahapati ābādhiko hoti dukkhito bāḷhagilāno. Atha kho nakulamātā gahapatānī nakulapitaraṁ gahapatiṁ etadavoca:

“Mā kho tvaṁ, gahapati, sāpekkho kālamakāsi. Dukkhā, gahapati, sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā; garahitā ca bhagavatā sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā. Siyā kho pana te, gahapati, evamassa: ‘na nakulamātā gahapatānī mamaccayena sakkhissati dārake posetuṁ, gharāvāsaṁ santharitun’ti. Na kho panetaṁ, gahapati, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ. Kusalāhaṁ, gahapati, kappāsaṁ kantituṁ veṇiṁ olikhituṁ. Sakkomahaṁ, gahapati, tavaccayena dārake posetuṁ, gharāvāsaṁ santharituṁ. Tasmātiha tvaṁ, gahapati, sāpekkho kālamakāsi. Dukkhā, gahapati, sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā; garahitā ca bhagavatā sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā.

Siyā kho pana te, gahapati, evamassa: ‘nakulamātā gahapatānī mamaccayena aññaṁ gharaṁ gamissatī’ti. Na kho panetaṁ, gahapati, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ. Tvañceva kho, gahapati, jānāsi ahañca, yaṁ no soḷasavassāni gahaṭṭhakaṁ brahmacariyaṁ samāciṇṇaṁ. Tasmātiha tvaṁ, gahapati, sāpekkho kālamakāsi. Dukkhā, gahapati, sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā; garahitā ca bhagavatā sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā.

Siyā kho pana te, gahapati, evamassa: ‘nakulamātā gahapatānī mamaccayena na dassanakāmā bhavissati bhagavato na dassanakāmā bhikkhusaṅghassā’ti. Na kho panetaṁ, gahapati, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ. Ahañhi, gahapati, tavaccayena dassanakāmatarā ceva bhavissāmi bhagavato, dassanakāmatarā ca bhikkhusaṅghassa. Tasmātiha tvaṁ, gahapati, sāpekkho kālamakāsi. Dukkhā, gahapati, sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā; garahitā ca bhagavatā sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā.

Siyā kho pana te, gahapati, evamassa: ‘na nakulamātā gahapatānī mamaccayena sīlesu paripūrakārinī’ti. Na kho panetaṁ, gahapati, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ. Yāvatā kho, gahapati, tassa bhagavato sāvikā gihī odātavasanā sīlesu paripūrakāriniyo, ahaṁ tāsaṁ aññatarā. Yassa kho panassa kaṅkhā vimati ayaṁ so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho bhaggesu viharati susumāragire bhesakaḷāvane migadāyetaṁ bhagavantaṁ upasaṅkamitvā pucchatu. Tasmātiha tvaṁ, gahapati, sāpekkho kālamakāsi. Dukkhā, gahapati, sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā; garahitā ca bhagavatā sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā.

Siyā kho pana te, gahapati, evamassa: ‘na nakulamātā gahapatānī lābhinī ajjhattaṁ cetosamathassā’ti. Na kho panetaṁ, gahapati, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ. Yāvatā kho, gahapati, tassa bhagavato sāvikā gihī odātavasanā lābhiniyo ajjhattaṁ cetosamathassa, ahaṁ tāsaṁ aññatarā. Yassa kho panassa kaṅkhā vimati ayaṁ so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho bhaggesu viharati susumāragire bhesakaḷāvane migadāyetaṁ bhagavantaṁ upasaṅkamitvā pucchatu. Tasmātiha tvaṁ, gahapati, sāpekkho kālamakāsi. Dukkhā, gahapati, sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā; garahitā ca bhagavatā sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā.

Siyā kho pana te, gahapati, evamassa: ‘na nakulamātā gahapatānī imasmiṁ dhammavinaye ogādhappattā patigādhappattā assāsappattā tiṇṇavicikicchā vigatakathaṅkathā vesārajjappattā aparappaccayā satthusāsane viharatī’ti. Na kho panetaṁ, gahapati, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ. Yāvatā kho, gahapati, tassa bhagavato sāvikā gihī odātavasanā imasmiṁ dhammavinaye ogādhappattā patigādhappattā assāsappattā tiṇṇavicikicchā vigatakathaṅkathā vesārajjappattā aparappaccayā satthusāsane viharanti, ahaṁ tāsaṁ aññatarā. Yassa kho panassa kaṅkhā vimati ayaṁ so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho bhaggesu viharati susumāragire bhesakaḷāvane migadāyetaṁ bhagavantaṁ upasaṅkamitvā pucchatu. Tasmātiha tvaṁ, gahapati, sāpekkho kālamakāsi. Dukkhā, gahapati, sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā; garahitā ca bhagavatā sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā”ti.

Atha kho nakulapituno gahapatissa nakulamātarā gahapatāniyā iminā ovādena ovadiyamānassa so ābādho ṭhānaso paṭippassambhi. Vuṭṭhahi ca nakulapitā gahapati tamhā ābādhā; tathā pahīno ca pana nakulapituno gahapatissa so ābādho ahosi. Atha kho nakulapitā gahapati gilānā vuṭṭhito aciravuṭṭhito gelaññā daṇḍamolubbha yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho nakulapitaraṁ gahapatiṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

“Lābhā te, gahapati, suladdhaṁ te, gahapati. Yassa te nakulamātā gahapatānī anukampikā atthakāmā ovādikā anusāsikā.

Yāvatā kho, gahapati, mama sāvikā gihī odātavasanā sīlesu paripūrakāriniyo, nakulamātā gahapatānī tāsaṁ aññatarā.

Yāvatā kho, gahapati, mama sāvikā gihī odātavasanā lābhiniyo ajjhattaṁ cetosamathassa, nakulamātā gahapatānī tāsaṁ aññatarā.

Yāvatā kho, gahapati, mama sāvikā gihī odātavasanā imasmiṁ dhammavinaye ogādhappattā patigādhappattā assāsappattā tiṇṇavicikicchā vigatakathaṅkathā vesārajjappattā aparappaccayā satthusāsane viharanti, nakulamātā gahapatānī tāsaṁ aññatarā.

Lābhā te, gahapati, suladdhaṁ te, gahapati. Yassa te nakulamātā gahapatānī anukampikā atthakāmā ovādikā anusāsikā”ti.

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā bhaggesu viharati susumāragire bhesakaḷāvane migadāye.

At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Bhaggas at Crocodile’s Bellow, in the deer park at Bhesakaḷā’s Wood.

Tena kho pana samayena nakulapitā gahapati ābādhiko hoti dukkhito bāḷhagilāno.

Now at that time the householder Nakula’s father was sick, suffering, gravely ill.

Atha kho nakulamātā gahapatānī nakulapitaraṁ gahapatiṁ etadavoca:

Then the housewife Nakula’s mother said to him:

“Mā kho tvaṁ, gahapati, sāpekkho kālamakāsi.

“Householder, don’t pass away with concerns.

Dukkhā, gahapati, sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā;

Such concern is suffering,

garahitā ca bhagavatā sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā.

and it’s criticized by the Buddha.

Siyā kho pana te, gahapati, evamassa:

Householder, you might think:

‘na nakulamātā gahapatānī mamaccayena sakkhissati dārake posetuṁ, gharāvāsaṁ santharitun’ti.

‘When I’ve gone, the housewife Nakula’s mother won’t be able to provide for the children and keep up the household carpets.’

Na kho panetaṁ, gahapati, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ.

But you should not see it like this.

Kusalāhaṁ, gahapati, kappāsaṁ kantituṁ veṇiṁ olikhituṁ.

I’m skilled at spinning cotton and carding wool.

Sakkomahaṁ, gahapati, tavaccayena dārake posetuṁ, gharāvāsaṁ santharituṁ.

I’m able to provide for the children and keep up the household carpets.

Tasmātiha tvaṁ, gahapati, sāpekkho kālamakāsi.

So householder, don’t pass away with concerns …

Dukkhā, gahapati, sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā;

garahitā ca bhagavatā sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā.

Siyā kho pana te, gahapati, evamassa:

Householder, you might think:

‘nakulamātā gahapatānī mamaccayena aññaṁ gharaṁ gamissatī’ti.

‘When I’ve gone, the housewife Nakula’s mother will take another husband.’

Na kho panetaṁ, gahapati, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ.

But you should not see it like this.

Tvañceva kho, gahapati, jānāsi ahañca, yaṁ no soḷasavassāni gahaṭṭhakaṁ brahmacariyaṁ samāciṇṇaṁ.

Both you and I know that we have remained chaste while at home for the past sixteen years.

Tasmātiha tvaṁ, gahapati, sāpekkho kālamakāsi.

So householder, don’t pass away with concerns …

Dukkhā, gahapati, sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā;

garahitā ca bhagavatā sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā.

Siyā kho pana te, gahapati, evamassa:

Householder, you might think:

‘nakulamātā gahapatānī mamaccayena na dassanakāmā bhavissati bhagavato na dassanakāmā bhikkhusaṅghassā’ti.

‘When I’ve gone, the housewife Nakula’s mother won’t want to see the Buddha and his Saṅgha of mendicants.’

Na kho panetaṁ, gahapati, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ.

But you should not see it like this.

Ahañhi, gahapati, tavaccayena dassanakāmatarā ceva bhavissāmi bhagavato, dassanakāmatarā ca bhikkhusaṅghassa.

When you’ve gone, I’ll want to see the Buddha and his mendicant Saṅgha even more.

Tasmātiha tvaṁ, gahapati, sāpekkho kālamakāsi.

So householder, don’t pass away with concerns …

Dukkhā, gahapati, sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā;

garahitā ca bhagavatā sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā.

Siyā kho pana te, gahapati, evamassa:

Householder, you might think:

‘na nakulamātā gahapatānī mamaccayena sīlesu paripūrakārinī’ti.

‘The housewife Nakula’s mother won’t fulfill ethics.’

Na kho panetaṁ, gahapati, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ.

But you should not see it like this.

Yāvatā kho, gahapati, tassa bhagavato sāvikā gihī odātavasanā sīlesu paripūrakāriniyo, ahaṁ tāsaṁ aññatarā.

I am one of those white-robed disciples of the Buddha who fulfills their ethics.

Yassa kho panassa kaṅkhā vimati ayaṁ so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho bhaggesu viharati susumāragire bhesakaḷāvane migadāyetaṁ bhagavantaṁ upasaṅkamitvā pucchatu.

For whoever doubts this, that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha is staying in the land of the Bhaggas at Crocodile’s Bellow, in the deer park at Bhesakaḷā’s Wood. Let them approach him and ask.

Tasmātiha tvaṁ, gahapati, sāpekkho kālamakāsi.

So householder, don’t pass away with concerns …

Dukkhā, gahapati, sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā;

garahitā ca bhagavatā sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā.

Siyā kho pana te, gahapati, evamassa:

Householder, you might think:

‘na nakulamātā gahapatānī lābhinī ajjhattaṁ cetosamathassā’ti.

‘The housewife Nakula’s mother doesn’t have internal serenity of heart.’

Na kho panetaṁ, gahapati, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ.

But you should not see it like this.

Yāvatā kho, gahapati, tassa bhagavato sāvikā gihī odātavasanā lābhiniyo ajjhattaṁ cetosamathassa, ahaṁ tāsaṁ aññatarā.

I am one of those white-robed disciples of the Buddha who has internal serenity of heart.

Yassa kho panassa kaṅkhā vimati ayaṁ so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho bhaggesu viharati susumāragire bhesakaḷāvane migadāyetaṁ bhagavantaṁ upasaṅkamitvā pucchatu.

For whoever doubts this, that Blessed One is staying in the land of the Bhaggas at Crocodile’s Bellow, in the deer park at Bhesakaḷā’s Wood. Let them approach him and ask.

Tasmātiha tvaṁ, gahapati, sāpekkho kālamakāsi.

So householder, don’t pass away with concerns …

Dukkhā, gahapati, sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā;

garahitā ca bhagavatā sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā.

Siyā kho pana te, gahapati, evamassa:

Householder, you might think:

‘na nakulamātā gahapatānī imasmiṁ dhammavinaye ogādhappattā patigādhappattā assāsappattā tiṇṇavicikicchā vigatakathaṅkathā vesārajjappattā aparappaccayā satthusāsane viharatī’ti.

‘The housewife Nakula’s mother has not found a footing, a firm footing, and solace in this teaching and training. She has not gone beyond doubt, got rid of indecision, and gained assurance. And she’s not independent of others in the Teacher’s instructions.’

Na kho panetaṁ, gahapati, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ.

But you should not see it like this.

Yāvatā kho, gahapati, tassa bhagavato sāvikā gihī odātavasanā imasmiṁ dhammavinaye ogādhappattā patigādhappattā assāsappattā tiṇṇavicikicchā vigatakathaṅkathā vesārajjappattā aparappaccayā satthusāsane viharanti, ahaṁ tāsaṁ aññatarā.

I am one of those white-robed disciples of the Buddha who has found a footing, a firm footing, and solace in this teaching and training. I have gone beyond doubt, got rid of indecision, and gained assurance. And I am independent of others in the Teacher’s instructions.

Yassa kho panassa kaṅkhā vimati ayaṁ so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho bhaggesu viharati susumāragire bhesakaḷāvane migadāyetaṁ bhagavantaṁ upasaṅkamitvā pucchatu.

For whoever doubts this, that Blessed One is staying in the land of the Bhaggas at Crocodile’s Bellow, in the deer park at Bhesakaḷā’s Wood. Let them approach him and ask.

Tasmātiha tvaṁ, gahapati, sāpekkho kālamakāsi.

So householder, don’t pass away with concerns.

Dukkhā, gahapati, sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā;

Such concern is suffering,

garahitā ca bhagavatā sāpekkhassa kālakiriyā”ti.

and it’s criticized by the Buddha.”

Atha kho nakulapituno gahapatissa nakulamātarā gahapatāniyā iminā ovādena ovadiyamānassa so ābādho ṭhānaso paṭippassambhi.

And then, as Nakula’s mother was giving this advice to Nakula’s father, his illness died down on the spot.

Vuṭṭhahi ca nakulapitā gahapati tamhā ābādhā;

And that’s how Nakula’s father recovered from that illness.

tathā pahīno ca pana nakulapituno gahapatissa so ābādho ahosi.

Atha kho nakulapitā gahapati gilānā vuṭṭhito aciravuṭṭhito gelaññā daṇḍamolubbha yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho nakulapitaraṁ gahapatiṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

Soon after recovering, leaning on a staff he went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him:

“Lābhā te, gahapati, suladdhaṁ te, gahapati.

“You’re fortunate, householder, so very fortunate,

Yassa te nakulamātā gahapatānī anukampikā atthakāmā ovādikā anusāsikā.

to have the housewife Nakula’s mother advise and instruct you out of kindness and sympathy.

Yāvatā kho, gahapati, mama sāvikā gihī odātavasanā sīlesu paripūrakāriniyo, nakulamātā gahapatānī tāsaṁ aññatarā.

She is one of those white-robed disciples of the Buddha who fulfills their ethics.

Yāvatā kho, gahapati, mama sāvikā gihī odātavasanā lābhiniyo ajjhattaṁ cetosamathassa, nakulamātā gahapatānī tāsaṁ aññatarā.

She is one of those white-robed disciples of the Buddha who has internal serenity of heart.

Yāvatā kho, gahapati, mama sāvikā gihī odātavasanā imasmiṁ dhammavinaye ogādhappattā patigādhappattā assāsappattā tiṇṇavicikicchā vigatakathaṅkathā vesārajjappattā aparappaccayā satthusāsane viharanti, nakulamātā gahapatānī tāsaṁ aññatarā.

She is one of those white-robed disciples of the Buddha who has found a footing, a firm footing, and solace in this teaching and training. She has gone beyond doubt, got rid of indecision, and gained assurance. And she is independent of others in the Teacher’s instructions.

Lābhā te, gahapati, suladdhaṁ te, gahapati.

You’re fortunate, householder, so very fortunate,

Yassa te nakulamātā gahapatānī anukampikā atthakāmā ovādikā anusāsikā”ti.

to have the housewife Nakula’s mother advise and instruct you out of kindness and sympathy.”

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Compassion

Compassion

A mental quality of wise empathy in response to suffering, which counters qualities of harm or cruelty.

Also known as: benevolence, concern, sympathy, kindness towards those who are suffering
Pāli: karuṇā, anukampa
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Doubt

Doubt

Paralyzing indecision about the path or practice. Doubt obstructs confidence and clarity.

Also known as: confusion, indecisiveness, uncertainty, wavering, perplexity
Pāli: vicikiccha, kaṅkhā, vimati
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Giving

Giving

The act of generosity, sharing, or offering to others without expecting anything in return. Giving is considered a foundational virtue in Buddhist practice, fostering selflessness and compassion.

Also known as: generosity, charity, donation, almsgiving, donating, philanthropy, providing with, gift with
Pāli: dāna
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Loving Kindness

Loving Kindness

The practice of developing boundless love and goodwill toward all beings, starting with oneself and extending outward.

Also known as: metta practice, unconditional love, goodwill meditation, goodwill, benevolence, kindness, friendliness
Pāli: mettā, metta, abyāpāda, abyāpajja
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Suffering

Suffering

Unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering that is inherent in conditioned existence.

Also known as: discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentedness, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, distress, affliction
Pāli: dukkha
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Tranquility

Tranquility

A mental quality of calm and stillness that arises when the body and mind are unburdened by agitation.

Also known as: calmness, peacefulness, serenity
Pāli: passaddhi, santi, upasama, upasanta
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Last updated on July 27, 2026