A deity engages the Buddha in verse on with pajjunna’s daughter (1st), exploring a teaching on suffering, liberation, and the law of kamma.

SN 1.39 With Pajjunna’s Daughter (1st)

Evaṁ me sutaṁ ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā vesāliyaṁ viharati mahāvane kūṭāgārasālāyaṁ.

Atha kho kokanadā pajjunnassa dhītā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ mahāvanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho devatā kokanadā pajjunnassa dhītā bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

“Vesāliyaṁ vane viharantaṁ,
Aggaṁ sattassa sambuddhaṁ;
Kokanadāhamasmi abhivande,
Kokanadā pajjunnassa dhītā.

Sutameva pure āsi,
Dhammo cakkhumatānubuddho;
Sāhaṁ dāni sakkhi jānāmi,
Munino desayato sugatassa.

Ye keci ariyaṁ dhammaṁ,
Vigarahantā caranti dummedhā;
Upenti roruvaṁ ghoraṁ,
Cirarattaṁ dukkhaṁ anubhavanti.

Ye ca kho ariye dhamme,
Khantiyā upasamena upetā;
Pahāya mānusaṁ dehaṁ,
Devakāyaṁ paripūressantī”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Evaṁ me sutaṁ

So I have heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā vesāliyaṁ viharati mahāvane kūṭāgārasālāyaṁ.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Vesālī, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof.

Atha kho kokanadā pajjunnassa dhītā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ mahāvanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.

Then, late at night, the glorious Kokanadā, Pajjunna’s daughter, lighting up the entire Great Wood, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side,

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho devatā kokanadā pajjunnassa dhītā bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

and recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

“Vesāliyaṁ vane viharantaṁ,

“Staying in the woods of Vesālī

Aggaṁ sattassa sambuddhaṁ;

is the Buddha, best of creation.

Kokanadāhamasmi abhivande,

Kokanadā am I who worships him,

Kokanadā pajjunnassa dhītā.

Kokanadā, Pajjuna’s daughter.

Sutameva pure āsi,

Previously I had only heard

Dhammo cakkhumatānubuddho;

the teaching realized by the Clear-eyed One.

Sāhaṁ dāni sakkhi jānāmi,

But now I know it as a witness

Munino desayato sugatassa.

while the sage, the Holy One teaches.

Ye keci ariyaṁ dhammaṁ,

There are simpletons who go about

Vigarahantā caranti dummedhā;

denouncing the teaching of the noble ones.

Upenti roruvaṁ ghoraṁ,

They fall into the terrible Hell of Screams

Cirarattaṁ dukkhaṁ anubhavanti.

where they suffer long.

Ye ca kho ariye dhamme,

There are those who have found acceptance and peace

Khantiyā upasamena upetā;

in the teaching of the noble ones.

Pahāya mānusaṁ dehaṁ,

After giving up this human body,

Devakāyaṁ paripūressantī”ti.

they swell the hosts of gods.”

Topics & Qualities:

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
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Giving up

Giving up

The mental quality of renunciation and release from attachment. It delights in simplicity and freedom rather than in sensual pleasure. Giving up is not loss but the joyful abandoning of burden, opening the way to peace and insight.

Also known as: renunciation, relinquishment, letting go, abandonment
Pāli: nekkhamma
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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Active presence of mind and lucid retention; the faculty that remembers the Dhamma, anchors attention to the chosen object or present experience, and guards the mind against unwholesome states.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anussati
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Last updated on July 27, 2026