A deity engages the Buddha in verse on impact, exploring a teaching on suffering, liberation, and the law of kamma.

SN 1.22 Impact

“Nāphusantaṁ phusati ca,
phusantañca tato phuse;
Tasmā phusantaṁ phusati,
appaduṭṭhapadosinan”ti.

“Yo appaduṭṭhassa narassa dussati,
Suddhassa posassa anaṅgaṇassa;
Tameva bālaṁ pacceti pāpaṁ,
Sukhumo rajo paṭivātaṁva khitto”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Nāphusantaṁ phusati ca,

“It doesn’t impact one who doesn’t impact others.

phusantañca tato phuse;

It impacts one because they impact others.

Tasmā phusantaṁ phusati,

That’s why it impacts one who impacts,

appaduṭṭhapadosinan”ti.

who wrongs one who’s done no wrong.”

“Yo appaduṭṭhassa narassa dussati,

“Whoever wrongs a man who has done no wrong,

Suddhassa posassa anaṅgaṇassa;

a pure man who has not a blemish,

Tameva bālaṁ pacceti pāpaṁ,

the evil backfires on the fool,

Sukhumo rajo paṭivātaṁva khitto”ti.

like fine dust thrown upwind.”