Nidhiṁ nidheti puriso,
gambhīre odakantike;
Atthe kicce samuppanne,
atthāya me bhavissati.
A man buries a treasure
in a deep pit by the water’s edge;
thinking: “When a need or emergency arises,
it will be of use to me.”
Rājato vā duruttassa,
corato pīḷitassa vā;
Iṇassa vā pamokkhāya,
dubbhikkhe āpadāsu vā;
Etadatthāya lokasmiṁ,
nidhi nāma nidhīyati.
Whether falsely accused by the king,
or oppressed by a thief;
or for freeing oneself from debt,
or during famine or misfortune;
for such purposes in the world,
a treasure is hidden away.
Tāvassunihito santo,
gambhīre odakantike;
Na sabbo sabbadā eva,
tassa taṁ upakappati.
Although it is well stored
in a deep pit by the water’s edge;
not all of it will always
be of use to him.
Nidhi vā ṭhānā cavati,
saññā vāssa vimuyhati;
Nāgā vā apanāmenti,
yakkhā vāpi haranti naṁ.
Either the treasure shifts from its place,
or he may forget where it lies;
or nāgas may move it,
or native spirits may carry it away.
Appiyā vāpi dāyādā,
uddharanti apassato;
Yadā puññakkhayo hoti,
sabbametaṁ vinassati.
Or unloved heirs may dig it up,
while he is not aware;
and when his merit is exhausted,
all of it perishes entirely.
Yassa dānena sīlena,
saṁyamena damena ca;
Nidhī sunihito hoti,
itthiyā purisassa vā.
But through generosity and virtue,
through restraint and discipline;
a treasure is well stored away,
by a woman or a man.
Cetiyamhi ca saṅghe vā,
puggale atithīsu vā;
Mātari pitari cāpi,
atho jeṭṭhamhi bhātari.
In a sacred shrine or the Saṅgha,
in a person or in guests;
in a mother and a father,
or even in an elder brother—
Eso nidhi sunihito,
ajeyyo anugāmiko;
Pahāya gamanīyesu,
etaṁ ādāya gacchati.
This is a treasure well stored,
inviolable, it follows one along;
when leaving all that must be left behind,
this he takes with him as he goes.
Asādhāraṇamaññesaṁ,
acorāharaṇo nidhi;
Kayirātha dhīro puññāni,
yo nidhi anugāmiko.
A treasure not shared with others,
that thieves cannot carry away;
the wise should make such merit,
a treasure that follows one along.
Esa devamanussānaṁ,
sabbakāmadado nidhi;
Yaṁ yadevābhipatthenti,
sabbametena labbhati.
This is a treasure for gods and humans,
that gives all that is desired;
whatever it is they wish for,
all of it is obtained by this.
Suvaṇṇatā susaratā,
susaṇṭhānā surūpatā;
Ādhipaccaparivāro,
sabbametena labbhati.
A beautiful complexion, a pleasing voice,
a graceful figure, and good looks;
leadership and following,
all of it is obtained by this.
Padesarajjaṁ issariyaṁ,
cakkavattisukhaṁ piyaṁ;
Devarajjampi dibbesu,
sabbametena labbhati.
Regional kingship and dominion,
the cherished happiness of a universal monarch;
even divine kingship among the gods,
all of it is obtained by this.
Mānussikā ca sampatti,
devaloke ca yā rati;
Yā ca nibbānasampatti,
sabbametena labbhati.
All human prosperity,
and the delights of the heavenly realm;
even the attainment of Nibbāna,
all of it is obtained by this.
Mittasampadamāgamma,
yonisova payuñjato;
Vijjāvimuttivasībhāvo,
sabbametena labbhati.
The blessing of good friends,
applying oneself radically;
mastery of true knowledge and liberation,
all of it is obtained by this.
Paṭisambhidā vimokkhā ca,
yā ca sāvakapāramī;
Paccekabodhi buddhabhūmi,
sabbametena labbhati.
Analytical knowledge and deliverance,
and the fulfillment of discipleship;
personal awakening and the state of Buddhahood,
all of it is obtained by this.
Evaṁ mahatthikā esā,
yadidaṁ puññasampadā;
Tasmā dhīrā pasaṁsanti,
paṇḍitā katapuññatanti.
So incredibly beneficial is this,
namely, the wealth of merit;
therefore the steadfast and the wise
praise the making of merit.