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

SN 1.58 Deviation

“Kiṁsu uppatho akkhāto,
kiṁsu rattindivakkhayo;
Kiṁ malaṁ brahmacariyassa,
kiṁ sinānamanodakan”ti.

“Rāgo uppatho akkhāto,
Vayo rattindivakkhayo;
Itthī malaṁ brahmacariyassa,
Etthāyaṁ sajjate pajā;
Tapo ca brahmacariyañca,
Taṁ sinānamanodakan”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Kiṁsu uppatho akkhāto,

“What’s declared to be a deviation?

kiṁsu rattindivakkhayo;

What is ending day and night?

Kiṁ malaṁ brahmacariyassa,

What’s the stain of chastity?

kiṁ sinānamanodakan”ti.

What’s the waterless bath?”

“Rāgo uppatho akkhāto,

“Lust is declared to be a deviation.

Vayo rattindivakkhayo;

Youth is ending day and night.

Itthī malaṁ brahmacariyassa,

Women are the stain of chastity,

Etthāyaṁ sajjate pajā;

to which this generation clings.

Tapo ca brahmacariyañca,

Fervor and chastity

Taṁ sinānamanodakan”ti.

are the waterless bath.”