Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).
Tena kho pana samayena raññā pasenadinā kosalena mahājanakāyo bandhāpito hoti, appekacce rajjūhi appekacce andūhi appekacce saṅkhalikāhi.
Now at that time a large group of people had been put in shackles by King Pasenadi of Kosala—some in ropes, some in manacles, some in chains.
Atha kho sambahulā bhikkhū pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pavisiṁsu.
Then several mendicants robed up in the morning and, taking their bowls and robes, entered Sāvatthī for alms.
Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkantā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:
Then, after the meal, when they returned from almsround, they went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what was happening.
“idha, bhante, raññā pasenadinā kosalena mahājanakāyo bandhāpito, appekacce rajjūhi appekacce andūhi appekacce saṅkhalikāhī”ti.
Atha kho bhagavā etamatthaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imā gāthāyo abhāsi:
Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha recited these verses:
“Na taṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā,
“The attentive say that shackle is not strong
Yadāyasaṁ dārujaṁ pabbajañca;
that’s made of iron, wood, or knots.
Sārattarattā maṇikuṇḍalesu,
But obsession with jeweled earrings,
Puttesu dāresu ca yā apekkhā.
concern for your partners and children:
Etaṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā,
this, say the attentive, is a strong shackle
Ohārinaṁ sithilaṁ duppamuñcaṁ;
dragging the indulgent down, hard to escape.
Etampi chetvāna paribbajanti,
Having cut this one too they go forth,
Anapekkhino kāmasukhaṁ pahāyā”ti.
unconcerned, having given up sensual pleasures.”
Paṭhamo vaggo.
Tassuddānaṁ
Daharo puriso jarā,
piyaṁ attānarakkhito;
Appakā aḍḍakaraṇaṁ,
mallikā yaññabandhananti.
Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).
Now at that time a large group of people had been put in shackles by King Pasenadi of Kosala—some in ropes, some in manacles, some in chains.
Then several mendicants robed up in the morning and, taking their bowls and robes, entered Sāvatthī for alms.
Then, after the meal, when they returned from almsround, they went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what was happening.
Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha recited these verses:
“The attentive say that shackle is not strong
that’s made of iron, wood, or knots.
But obsession with jeweled earrings,
concern for your partners and children:
this, say the attentive, is a strong shackle
dragging the indulgent down, hard to escape.
Having cut this one too they go forth,
unconcerned, having given up sensual pleasures.”
Tena kho pana samayena raññā pasenadinā kosalena mahājanakāyo bandhāpito hoti, appekacce rajjūhi appekacce andūhi appekacce saṅkhalikāhi.
Atha kho sambahulā bhikkhū pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pavisiṁsu.
Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkantā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:
“idha, bhante, raññā pasenadinā kosalena mahājanakāyo bandhāpito, appekacce rajjūhi appekacce andūhi appekacce saṅkhalikāhī”ti.
Atha kho bhagavā etamatthaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imā gāthāyo abhāsi:
“Na taṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā,
Yadāyasaṁ dārujaṁ pabbajañca;
Sārattarattā maṇikuṇḍalesu,
Puttesu dāresu ca yā apekkhā.
Etaṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā,
Ohārinaṁ sithilaṁ duppamuñcaṁ;
Etampi chetvāna paribbajanti,
Anapekkhino kāmasukhaṁ pahāyā”ti.
Paṭhamo vaggo.
Tassuddānaṁ
Daharo puriso jarā,
piyaṁ attānarakkhito;
Appakā aḍḍakaraṇaṁ,
mallikā yaññabandhananti.