The yakkha challenges the nun Sukk in verse; she responds with teaching on ethical conduct and insight, subduing the spirit through the power of the Dhamma.

SN 10.10 With the Nun Sukkā (2nd)

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.

Tena kho pana samayena aññataro upāsako sukkāya bhikkhuniyā bhojanaṁ adāsi. Atha kho sukkāya bhikkhuniyā abhippasanno yakkho rājagahe rathikāya rathikaṁ siṅghāṭakena siṅghāṭakaṁ upasaṅkamitvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Puññaṁ vata pasavi bahuṁ,
Sappañño vatāyaṁ upāsako;
Yo sukkāya adāsi bhojanaṁ,
Sabbaganthehi vippamuttiyā”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.

Tena kho pana samayena aññataro upāsako sukkāya bhikkhuniyā bhojanaṁ adāsi.

Now at that time a certain lay follower gave food to the nun Sukkā.

Atha kho sukkāya bhikkhuniyā abhippasanno yakkho rājagahe rathikāya rathikaṁ siṅghāṭakena siṅghāṭakaṁ upasaṅkamitvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

Then a native spirit was so devoted to Sukkā that he went from street to street and from square to square, and on that occasion recited these verses:

“Puññaṁ vata pasavi bahuṁ,

“O! He has made so much merit!

Sappañño vatāyaṁ upāsako;

That lay follower is so very wise.

Yo sukkāya adāsi bhojanaṁ,

He just gave food to Sukkā,

Sabbaganthehi vippamuttiyā”ti.

who is released from all ties.”

Topics & Qualities:

Liberation

Liberation

Liberation can imply a temporary release of the mind, i.e. liberated from certain unwholesome mental qualities or complete liberation from all unwholesome qualities of the mind, i.e. Nibbāna.

Also known as: freedom, release, emancipation, deliverance
Pāli: vimutti, vimokkha, cetovimutti, paññāvimutti, akuppā cetovimutti
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Merit

Merit

Wholesome result of good conduct, generosity, and right intention. Merit brightens the mind and supports happiness and favorable conditions for practice.

Also known as: good deeds, spiritual wealth
Pāli: puñña, kalyāṇa
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Last updated on July 27, 2026