A forest deity approaches a mendicant in verse on several mendicants set out wandering, encouraging seclusion, mindfulness, and freedom from sensual desire.

SN 9.4 Several Mendicants Set Out Wandering

Ekaṁ samayaṁ sambahulā bhikkhū kosalesu viharanti aññatarasmiṁ vanasaṇḍe.

Atha kho te bhikkhū vassaṁvuṭṭhā temāsaccayena cārikaṁ pakkamiṁsu. Atha kho tasmiṁ vanasaṇḍe adhivatthā devatā te bhikkhū apassantī paridevamānā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Arati viya mejja khāyati,
Bahuke disvāna vivitte āsane;
Te cittakathā bahussutā,
Kome gotamasāvakā gatā”ti.

Evaṁ vutte, aññatarā devatā taṁ devataṁ gāthāya paccabhāsi:

“Māgadhaṁ gatā kosalaṁ gatā,
Ekacciyā pana vajjibhūmiyā;
Magā viya asaṅgacārino,
Aniketā viharanti bhikkhavo”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Ekaṁ samayaṁ sambahulā bhikkhū kosalesu viharanti aññatarasmiṁ vanasaṇḍe.

At one time several mendicants were staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove.

Atha kho te bhikkhū vassaṁvuṭṭhā temāsaccayena cārikaṁ pakkamiṁsu.

Then after completing the three months of the rainy season residence, those mendicants set out wandering.

Atha kho tasmiṁ vanasaṇḍe adhivatthā devatā te bhikkhū apassantī paridevamānā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

Not seeing those mendicants, the deity haunting that forest cried. And on that occasion they spoke this verse:

“Arati viya mejja khāyati,

“Dissatisfaction, it seems to me today,

Bahuke disvāna vivitte āsane;

seeing so many vacated seats.

Te cittakathā bahussutā,

They were so learned, such brilliant speakers!

Kome gotamasāvakā gatā”ti.

Where have these disciples of Gotama gone?”

Evaṁ vutte, aññatarā devatā taṁ devataṁ gāthāya paccabhāsi:

When they had spoken, another deity replied with this verse:

“Māgadhaṁ gatā kosalaṁ gatā,

“They’ve gone to Magadha, they’ve gone to Kosala,

Ekacciyā pana vajjibhūmiyā;

and some are in the Vajjian lands.

Magā viya asaṅgacārino,

Like deer that wander free of ties,

Aniketā viharanti bhikkhavo”ti.

the mendicants live with no abode.”

Qualities:

Discontentment

Discontentment

A state of dissatisfaction with one's requisites or conditions. It fuels the search for more, disturbing peace and preventing the mind from settling into collectedness.

Also known as: dissatisfaction, unsatisfactoriness, boredom
Pāli: asantuṭṭhitā, aratī, atitta
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Learning

Learning

One who has broad learning and retention of the Dhamma, gained through hearing, reciting, and carefully investigating the teachings. Such learning penetrates their meaning through discernment and serves as a strong support for practice.

Also known as: having knowledge, well studied
Pāli: bahussuta, suta
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Suffering

Suffering

Unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering that is inherent in conditioned existence.

Also known as: discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentedness, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, distress, affliction
Pāli: dukkha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026