SN 1.34 There Are None

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery.

Atha kho sambahulā satullapakāyikā devatāyo abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu.

Then, late at night, several glorious deities of the host of a hundred felicities, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side.

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho ekā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

Standing to one side, one deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

“Na santi kāmā manujesu niccā,

“Among mankind there are no sensual pleasures that are permanent.

Santīdha kamanīyāni yesu baddho;

Here there are sensuous things, bound to which,

Yesu pamatto apunāgamanaṁ,

drunk on which, there’s no coming back.

Anāgantā puriso maccudheyyā”ti.

That person doesn’t return from Death’s dominion.”

“Chandajaṁ aghaṁ chandajaṁ dukkhaṁ,

“Gloom is born of desire; suffering is born of desire;

Chandavinayā aghavinayo;

when desire is removed, gloom is removed;

Aghavinayā dukkhavinayo”ti.

when gloom is removed, suffering is removed.”

“Na te kāmā yāni citrāni loke,

“The world’s pretty things aren’t sensual pleasures.

Saṅkapparāgo purisassa kāmo;

Greedy intention is a person’s sensual pleasure.

Tiṭṭhanti citrāni tatheva loke,

The world’s pretty things stay just as they are,

Athettha dhīrā vinayanti chandaṁ.

but the attentive remove desire for them.

Kodhaṁ jahe vippajaheyya mānaṁ,

Give up anger, get rid of conceit,

Saṁyojanaṁ sabbamatikkameyya;

and get past all the fetters.

Taṁ nāmarūpasmimasajjamānaṁ,

Sufferings don’t torment the one who has nothing,

Akiñcanaṁ nānupatanti dukkhā.

not clinging to name and form.

Pahāsi saṅkhaṁ na vimānamajjhagā,

They gave up judgement without falling into conceit;

Acchecchi taṇhaṁ idha nāmarūpe;

craving for name and form was cut off right here.

Taṁ chinnaganthaṁ anighaṁ nirāsaṁ,

They cut the ties, untroubled, with no need for hope.

Pariyesamānā nājjhagamuṁ;

Though gods and humans search for them

Devā manussā idha vā huraṁ vā,

in this life or the next, they never find them,

Saggesu vā sabbanivesanesū”ti.

not in heaven nor in any abode.”

“Tañce hi nāddakkhuṁ tathāvimuttaṁ,

“If neither gods nor humans see one freed in this way,”

(iccāyasmā mogharājā)

said Venerable Mogharāja,

Devā manussā idha vā huraṁ vā;

“in this life or the next,

Naruttamaṁ atthacaraṁ narānaṁ,

are those who revere that supreme man,

Ye taṁ namassanti pasaṁsiyā te”ti.

who lives for the good of mankind, also worthy of praise?”

“Pasaṁsiyā tepi bhavanti bhikkhū,

“The mendicants who revere one freed in this way,”

(mogharājāti bhagavā)

said the Buddha,

Ye taṁ namassanti tathāvimuttaṁ;

“are also worthy of praise, Mogharāja.

Aññāya dhammaṁ vicikicchaṁ pahāya,

Having understood the teaching and given up doubt,

Saṅgātigā tepi bhavanti bhikkhū”ti.

those mendicants slip their chains.”