A deity engages the Buddha in verse on a poet, exploring a teaching on suffering, liberation, and the law of kamma.
“Kiṁsu nidānaṁ gāthānaṁ,
kiṁsu tāsaṁ viyañjanaṁ;
Kiṁsu sannissitā gāthā,
kiṁsu gāthānamāsayo”ti.
“Chando nidānaṁ gāthānaṁ,
akkharā tāsaṁ viyañjanaṁ;
Nāmasannissitā gāthā,
kavi gāthānamāsayo”ti.
Jarāvaggo chaṭṭho.
Tassuddānaṁ
Jarā ajarasā mittaṁ,
vatthu tīṇi janāni ca;
Uppatho ca dutiyo ca,
kavinā pūrito vaggoti.
Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).
“Kiṁsu nidānaṁ gāthānaṁ,
“What’s the source of verses?
kiṁsu tāsaṁ viyañjanaṁ;
What constitutes their phrasing?
Kiṁsu sannissitā gāthā,
What do verses depend upon?
kiṁsu gāthānamāsayo”ti.
What underlies verses?”
“Chando nidānaṁ gāthānaṁ,
“Metre is the source of verses.
akkharā tāsaṁ viyañjanaṁ;
Syllables constitute their phrasing.
Nāmasannissitā gāthā,
Verses depend on names.
kavi gāthānamāsayo”ti.
A poet underlies verses.”
Jarāvaggo chaṭṭho.
Tassuddānaṁ
Jarā ajarasā mittaṁ,
vatthu tīṇi janāni ca;
Uppatho ca dutiyo ca,
kavinā pūrito vaggoti.
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Last updated on July 27, 2026