Evaṁ me sutaṁ—ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho sā devatā bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi—
Thus have I heard—At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthi, in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. Then, when the night had advanced, a certain deity of surpassing beauty, illuminating the entire Jeta’s Grove, approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, she stood at one side. Standing to one side, that deity addressed the Blessed One with a verse:
“Bahū devā manussā ca,
maṅgalāni acintayuṁ;
Ākaṅkhamānā sotthānaṁ,
brūhi maṅgalamuttamaṁ”.
“Many deities and human beings,
have pondered over blessings;
Desiring well-being, [they ask],
Tell us the highest blessing.”
“Asevanā ca bālānaṁ,
paṇḍitānañca sevanā;
Pūjā ca pūjaneyyānaṁ,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
“Not associating with the immature,
associating with the wise;
honoring those worthy of veneration—
This is the highest blessing.
Patirūpadesavāso ca,
pubbe ca katapuññatā;
Attasammāpaṇidhi ca,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
Living in a suitable place,
having made merit in the past,
being rightly resolved in oneself—
This is the highest blessing.
Bāhusaccañca sippañca,
vinayo ca susikkhito;
Subhāsitā ca yā vācā,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
Deep learning and skill,
discipline thoroughly mastered,
speech that is well-spoken—
This is the highest blessing.
Mātāpituupaṭṭhānaṁ,
puttadārassa saṅgaho;
Anākulā ca kammantā,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
Caring for one’s mother and father,
supporting one’s wife and children,
and work that is not stressful—
This is the highest blessing.
Dānañca dhammacariyā ca,
ñātakānañca saṅgaho;
Anavajjāni kammāni,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
Generosity and righteous conduct,
looking after one’s relatives,
and irreproachable in actions—
This is the highest blessing.
Āratī viratī pāpā,
majjapānā ca saṁyamo;
Appamādo ca dhammesu,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
Abstaining and refraining from injurious actions,
restraint regarding intoxicating drinks,
and diligence in the Dhamma—
This is the highest blessing.
Gāravo ca nivāto ca,
santuṭṭhi ca kataññutā;
Kālena dhammassavanaṁ,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
Respect and humility,
contentment and gratitude,
listening to the Dhamma at suitable time—
This is the highest blessing.
Khantī ca sovacassatā,
samaṇānañca dassanaṁ;
Kālena dhammasākacchā,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
Patience and being easy to instruct,
seeing the contemplatives,
and timely Dhamma discussion—
This is the highest blessing.
Tapo ca brahmacariyañca,
ariyasaccāna dassanaṁ;
Nibbānasacchikiriyā ca,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
Austerity and leading the spiritual life,
vision of the Noble truths,
and the realization of Nibbāna—
This is the highest blessing.
Phuṭṭhassa lokadhammehi,
cittaṁ yassa na kampati;
Asokaṁ virajaṁ khemaṁ,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.
When touched by the vicissitudes of life,
whose mind does not waver,
sorrow-free, unblemished, and secure—
This is the highest blessing.
Etādisāni katvāna,
Sabbattha maparājitā;
Sabbattha sotthiṁ gacchanti,
Taṁ tesaṁ maṅgalamuttaman”ti.
Having fulfilled these conditions [for blessings],
they are undefeated in every way,
everywhere they go in safety—
This is their highest blessing.”