The Buddha teaches on with visākhā on the agreeable gods, presenting a eightfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 8.47 With Visākhā on the Agreeable Gods

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati pubbārāme migāramātupāsāde. Atha kho visākhā migāramātā …pe… ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho visākhaṁ migāramātaraṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

“Aṭṭhahi kho, visākhe, dhammehi samannāgato mātugāmo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā manāpakāyikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati. Katamehi aṭṭhahi? Idha, visākhe, mātugāmo yassa mātāpitaro bhattuno denti atthakāmā hitesino anukampakā anukampaṁ upādāya tassa hoti pubbuṭṭhāyinī pacchānipātinī kiṅkārapaṭissāvinī manāpacārinī piyavādinī …pe….

Cāgavatī kho pana hoti. Vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati muttacāgā payatapāṇinī vossaggaratā yācayogā dānasaṁvibhāgaratā. Imehi kho, visākhe, aṭṭhahi dhammehi samannāgato mātugāmo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā manāpakāyikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjatīti.

Yo naṁ bharati sabbadā,
niccaṁ ātāpi ussuko;
Taṁ sabbakāmadaṁ posaṁ,
bhattāraṁ nātimaññati.

Na cāpi sotthi bhattāraṁ,
issāvādena rosaye;
Bhattu ca garuno sabbe,
paṭipūjeti paṇḍitā.

Uṭṭhāhikā analasā,
saṅgahitaparijjanā;
Bhattu manāpaṁ carati,
sambhataṁ anurakkhati.

evaṁ vattati nārī,
bhattu chandavasānugā;
Manāpā nāma te devā,
yattha upapajjatī”ti.

Sattamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati pubbārāme migāramātupāsāde.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in the stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother in the Eastern Monastery.

Atha kho visākhā migāramātā …pe…

Then Visākhā, Migāra’s mother, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side.

ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho visākhaṁ migāramātaraṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

The Buddha said to her:

“Aṭṭhahi kho, visākhe, dhammehi samannāgato mātugāmo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā manāpakāyikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati.

“Visākhā, when they have eight qualities ladies—when their body breaks up, after death—are reborn in company with the Gods of the Agreeable Host.

Katamehi aṭṭhahi?

What eight?

Idha, visākhe, mātugāmo yassa mātāpitaro bhattuno denti atthakāmā hitesino anukampakā anukampaṁ upādāya tassa hoti pubbuṭṭhāyinī pacchānipātinī kiṅkārapaṭissāvinī manāpacārinī piyavādinī …pe….

Take the case of a lady whose mother and father give her to a husband wanting what’s best for her, out of kindness and sympathy. She would get up before him and go to bed after him, and be obliging, behaving nicely and speaking politely. …

Cāgavatī kho pana hoti.

She’s generous.

Vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati muttacāgā payatapāṇinī vossaggaratā yācayogā dānasaṁvibhāgaratā.

She lives at home rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share.

Imehi kho, visākhe, aṭṭhahi dhammehi samannāgato mātugāmo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā manāpakāyikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjatīti.

When they possess these eight qualities ladies—when their body breaks up, after death—are reborn in company with the Gods of the Agreeable Host.

Yo naṁ bharati sabbadā,

She’d never look down on her husband,

niccaṁ ātāpi ussuko;

who’s always eager to work hard,

Taṁ sabbakāmadaṁ posaṁ,

always looking after her,

bhattāraṁ nātimaññati.

and bringing whatever she wants.

Na cāpi sotthi bhattāraṁ,

And a good woman never scolds her husband

issāvādena rosaye;

with jealous words.

Bhattu ca garuno sabbe,

Being astute, she reveres

paṭipūjeti paṇḍitā.

those respected by her husband.

Uṭṭhāhikā analasā,

She gets up early, works tirelessly,

saṅgahitaparijjanā;

and manages the domestic help.

Bhattu manāpaṁ carati,

She’s agreeable to her husband,

sambhataṁ anurakkhati.

and preserves his wealth.

evaṁ vattati nārī,

A lady who fulfills these duties

bhattu chandavasānugā;

according to her husband’s desire,

Manāpā nāma te devā,

is reborn among the gods

yattha upapajjatī”ti.

called ‘Agreeable’.”

Sattamaṁ.

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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Craving

Craving

A driving ‘thirst’ that reaches out toward experiences, identities, or outcomes as the place to find satisfaction—“if only I had that.” It spins stories of lack, binds the mind to becoming, and invariably leads to suffering.

Also known as: wanting, yearning, longing, lit. thirst
Pāli: taṇha, abhijjhā
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Desire

Desire

A wholesome motivation, interest, or objective that acts as the starting point for effort and application of will.

Also known as: aspiration, interest, wish, having an objective, intention, impulse
Pāli: chanda
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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
View all discourses →
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
View all discourses →
Stinginess

Stinginess

A contracted, possessive refusal to share what one has—whether material goods, knowledge, or status. It clings tightly to what is “mine,” fearing loss and closing the hand against generosity.

Also known as: miserliness, meanness, tight-fistedness
Pāli: macchariya
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Last updated on July 27, 2026