Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).
“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, yatthimā mahānadiyo saṁsandanti samenti, seyyathidaṁ—
“Mendicants, there are places where the great rivers—the Ganges, Yamunā, Aciravatī, Sarabhū, and Mahī—join together and converge.
gaṅgā, yamunā, aciravatī, sarabhū, mahī, tato puriso dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni uddhareyya.
Suppose a person was to draw two or three drops of water from such a place.
Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,
What do you think, mendicants?
katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ—yāni dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatāni, yaṁ vā sambhejjaudakan”ti?
Which is more: the two or three drops drawn out or the water in the confluence?”
“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ, yadidaṁ—saṁbhejjaudakaṁ; appamattakāni dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatāni.
“Sir, the water in the confluence is certainly more. The two or three drops drawn out are tiny.
Saṅkhampi na upenti, upanidhampi na upenti, kalabhāgampi na upenti saṁbhejjaudakaṁ upanidhāya dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatānī”ti.
Compared to the water in the confluence, it doesn’t count, there’s no comparison, it’s not worth a fraction.”
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa …pe…
“In the same way, for a noble disciple …
yogo karaṇīyo”ti.
That’s why you should practice meditation …”
Tatiyaṁ.
Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).
“Mendicants, there are places where the great rivers—the Ganges, Yamunā, Aciravatī, Sarabhū, and Mahī—join together and converge.
Suppose a person was to draw two or three drops of water from such a place.
What do you think, mendicants?
Which is more: the two or three drops drawn out or the water in the confluence?”
“Sir, the water in the confluence is certainly more. The two or three drops drawn out are tiny.
Compared to the water in the confluence, it doesn’t count, there’s no comparison, it’s not worth a fraction.”
“In the same way, for a noble disciple …
That’s why you should practice meditation …”
“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, yatthimā mahānadiyo saṁsandanti samenti, seyyathidaṁ—
gaṅgā, yamunā, aciravatī, sarabhū, mahī, tato puriso dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni uddhareyya.
Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,
katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ—yāni dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatāni, yaṁ vā sambhejjaudakan”ti?
“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ, yadidaṁ—saṁbhejjaudakaṁ; appamattakāni dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatāni.
Saṅkhampi na upenti, upanidhampi na upenti, kalabhāgampi na upenti saṁbhejjaudakaṁ upanidhāya dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatānī”ti.
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa …pe…
yogo karaṇīyo”ti.
Tatiyaṁ.