Maha Govinda Sutta
Once the Lord was staying at Rajagaha, on Vultures' Peak. And when the night was
nearly over, Pancasikha of the gandhabbas, lighting up the entire Vultures' Peak
with a splendid radiance, approached the Lord, saluted him, stood to one said
and said: "Lord, I wish to report to you what I have personally seen and
observed when I was in the presence of the Thirty-Three Gods." "Tell me then,
Pancasikha", said the Lord.
"Lord, in the earlier days, long ago, on the fast-day of the fifteenth at the
end of the Rains the Thirty-Three Gods assemled and rejoiced that the devas'
hosts were growing, the asuras' hosts declining. Then Sakka uttered the verse:
"'The gods of Thirty-Three rejoice, their leader too, Praising the Tathagata,
and Dhamma's truth, Seeing new-come devas, fair and glorious Who've lived the
holy life, now well reborn. Outshining all the rest in fame and splendor, The
mighty Sage's pupils singled out. Seeing this, the Thirty-Three rejoice, their
leader too, Praising the Tathagata, and Dhamma's truth.'
"At this, Lord, the Thirty-Three Gods rejoiced still more, saying: 'The devas'
hosts are growing, the asuras' hosts are declining!'
"Then Sakka, seeing their satisfaction, said to the Thirty-Three Gods: 'Would
you like, gentlemen, to hear eight truthful statements in praise of the Lord?'
and on receiving their assent, he declared:
"'What do you think, my lords of the Thirty-Three? As regards the way in which
the Lord has striven for the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the many,
one of compassion for the world, for the welfare and happiness of devas and
humans--we can find no teacher with such qualities, whether we consider the past
or the present, other then the Lord.
"'The Lord has well explained what is right and what is wrong, what is
blameworthy and what is blameless, what is to be followed and what is not to be
followed, what is base and what is noble, what is foul, fair and mixed in
quality. And we can find none who is a proclaimer of such things...other than
the Lord.
"'Again, the Lord has well explained to his disciples the path leading to
Nibbana, and they coalesce, Nibbana and the path, just as the waters of the
Ganges and the Yamuna coalesce and flow on together. And we can find no
proclaimer of the path leading to Nibbana...other than the Lord.
"'And the Lord has gained companions, both learners and those who, having lived
the life, have abolished the corruptions, and the Lord dwells together with
them, all rejoicing in the one thing. And we can find no such teacher...other
than the Lord.
"'The gifts given to the Lord are well-bestowed, his fame is well established,
so much so that, I think, the Khattiyas will continue to be attached to him, yet
the Lord takes him food-offering without conceit. And we can find no teacher who
does this...other than the Lord.
"'And the Lord acts as he speaks, and speaks as he acts. And we can find no
teacher who does likewise, in every detail of doctrine...other than the Lord.
"'The Lord has transcribed doubt, passed beyond all "how" and "why", he has
accomplished his aim in regard to his goal and the supreme holy life. And we can
find no teacher who has done the like, whether we consider the past or the
present, other than the Lord.'
"And when Sakka had thus proclaimed these eight truthful statements in praise of
the Lord, the Thirty-Three Gods were even more pleased, overjoyed and filled
with delight and happiness at what they had heard in the Lord's praise.
"Then certain gods explained: 'Oh, if only four fully-enlightened Buddhas were
to arise in the world and teach Dhamma just like the Blessed Lord! That would be
for the benefit and happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for
the benefit and happiness of devas and humans!' And some said: 'Never mind the
four fully-enlightened Buddhas--three would suffice!' and others said: 'Never
mind three--two would suffice!'
"At this Sakka said: 'It is impossible, gentlemen, it cannot happen that two
fully-enlightened Buddhas should arise simultaneously in a single-world system.
That cannot be. May this Blessed Lord continue to live long, for many years to
come, free from sickness and disease! That would be for the benefit and
happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world it would be for the
benefit and happiness of devas and humans!'
"Then the Thirty-Three Gods consulted and deliberated together about the matter
concerning which they had assembled in the Sudhamma Hall, and the Four Great
Kings were advised and admonished on this matter as they stood by their seats
unmoving:
"The Kings instructed, marked the words they spoke, Standing calm, serene,
beside their seats.
"A great radiance was seen, heralding the approach of Brahma. All took their
proper seats each hoping Brahma would sit on the couch.
"Then Brahma Sanankumara, having descending from his heaven, and seeing their
pleasure, uttered these verses:
"'The gods of Thirty-Three rejoice, their leader too ...'
"Brahma Sanankumara's voice had eight qualities.
"Then the Thirty-Three Gods said to Brahma Sanankumara: 'It is well, Brahma! We
rejoice at what we have heard. Sakka, lord of the devas, has also declared eight
truthful statements to us about the Lord, at which we also rejoice.' Then Brahma
said to Sakka: 'It is well, Lord of the devas. And we too would like to hear
those eight truthful statements about the Lord.' 'Very well, Great Brahma', said
Sakka, and he repeated those eight statements:
"'What do you think, Lord Brahma...?' And Brahma Sanankumara was pleased,
overjoyed and filled with delight and happiness at what he had heard in the
Lord's praise.
"Brahma Sanankumara assumed a grosser form and appeared in the shape of
Pancasikha. And siting thus cross-legged, he said to the Thirty-Three Gods: 'For
how long has the Blessed Lord been one of the mighty wisdom?'
"Once upon a time there was a king called Disampati. His chaplain was a Brahmin
called the Steward. The King's son was a youth called Renu, and the Steward's
son was called Jotipala. Prince Renu and Jotipala, together with six other
Khattiyas, formed a band of eight friends. In the course of time the Steward
died, and King Disampati mourned him, saying: 'Alas, at the very moment when we
had entrusted all our responsibilities to the Steward, and were abandoning
ourselves to the pleasures of the five senses, the Steward has passed away!'
"Hearing this, Prince Renu said: 'Sire, do not mourn the Steward's death
overmuch! His son Jotipala is cleaverer than his father was and has a better eye
for what is advantageous. You should let Jotipala manage all the business you
entrusted to his father.' 'Is that so, my boy?' 'Yes, Sire.'
"Then the King called a man and said: 'Come here, my good man, go to the youth
Jotipala and say: "May the Reverend Jotipala be well! King Disampati sends for
you, he would like to see you.'" 'Very good, Your Majesty', said the man, and
delivered the message. On receiving the message, Jotipala said, 'Very good,
sir', and went to see the King. On entering the royal presence, he exchanged
courtesies with the King, then sat down to one side. The King said: 'We wish the
Reverend Jotipala to manage our affairs. Do not refuse. I will install you in
your father's place and consecrate you as Steward.' 'Very good, Lord', replied
Jotipala.
"So King Disampati appointed Jotipala as steward in his father's place. And once
installed, Jotipala carried out the business his father had carried out, not
doing any business his father had not done. He accomplished all the tasks his
father had accomplished, and no others. And people said: 'This Brahmin is truly
a steward! Indeed he is a great steward!' And that is how the young Brahmin
Jotipala came to be known as the Great Steward.
"And one day the Great Steward went to the group of six nobles and said: 'King
Disampati is aged, decrepit, stricken with age. His life is near its end and he
cannot last much longer. Who can tell how long people will live? When King
Disampati dies, the king-makers are bound to anoint Prince Renu as King. You
should go, gentlemen, to Prince Renu and say: "We are the beloved, dear and
favored friends of the Lord Renu, sharing his joys and his sorrows. Our Lord
King Disampati is aged...When he dies, the king-makers are bound to anoint the
Lord Renu as King. If the Lord Renu should gain the kingship, let him share it
with us."'
"'Very good, sir', said the six nobles, and they went to Prince Renu and spoke
to him as the Great Steward had Prince Renu and spoke to him as the Great
Steward had proposed. 'Well, gentlemen, who, apart from myself, ought to prosper
but you? If, gentleman, I gain the kingship, I will share it with you.'
"In due course King Disampati died, and the king-makers anointed Prince Renu
King in his place. And having been made King, Renu abandoned himself to the
pleasures of the five senses. Then the Great Steward went to the six nobles and
said: 'Gentleman, now King Disampati is dead the Lord Renu, who has been
anointed in his place, has abandoned himself to the pleasures of the five
senses. Who knows what will come of this? The sense-pleasures are intoxicating.
You should go to him and say: "King Disampati is dead and the Lord Renu has been
anointed King. Do you remember your word, Lord?"'
"They did so, and the King said: 'Gentlemen, I remember my word. Who is there
who can divide this mighty realm of earth, so broad in the north and so narrow
like the front of a cart in the south, into seven equal parts?' 'Who indeed,
Lord, if not the Great Steward?'
"So King Renu sent a man to the Great Steward to say: 'My lord, the King sends
for you.' The man went, and the Great Steward came to the King, exchanged
courtesies with him, and sat down to one side. Then the King said: 'My Lord
Steward, go and divide this mighty realm of earth, so broad in the north and so
narrow like the front of a cart in the south, into seven equal parts.' 'Very
good, Sire', said the Great Steward, and he did so.
"And King Renu's country was in the center:
"Dantapura to the Kaligas, Potaka to the Assakas, Mahissati to the Avantis,
Roruka to the Soviras. Mithila to the Videhas, Campa to the Angas goes, Benares
to the Kasi, thus did the Steward dispose.
"The six nobles were delighted with their respective gains and at the success of
the plan: 'What we wanted, desired, aimed at and strove for, we have got!'
"Sattabhu, Brahmadatta, Vessabhu and Bharata, Renu and two Dhataratthas, these
are the seven Bharat kings.
"Then the six nobles came to the Great Steward and said: 'Reverend Steward, just
as you were a beloved, dear and faithful friend to King Renu, so you have been
to us. Please manage our affairs for us! We trust you will not refuse.' So he
administered the realms of seven anointed kings, and he also taught the mantras
to seven distinguished Brahmins and seven hundred advanced pupils.
"In course of time good reports were spread about concerning the Great Steward:
'The Great Steward can see Brahma with his own eyes, talks with him face to face
and consults with him!' And he thought: 'Now this good report is being spread
about concerning me, that I can see Brahma with me own eyes,...but it not true.
However, I have heard it said by aged and respectable Brahmins, the teachers of
teachers, that anyone who withdraws into meditation for the four months of the
Rains, developing the absorption on compassion, can see Brahma with his own
eyes, talk with him face to face and consult with him. Suppose I were to do
this!'
"So the Great Steward went to King Renu and told him of the report, and of his
wish to go into retreat and develop the absorption on compassion. 'And nobody is
to come near me except to bring me food.' 'Reverend Steward, do as you think
fit.'
"The six nobles likewise replied: 'Reverend Steward, do as you think fit.'
"He went to the seven Brahmins and the seven hundred pupils and told them of his
intentions, adding: 'So, gentlemen, you carry on with reciting the mantras you
have heard and learnt, and teach them to each other.' 'Reverend Steward, do as
you think fit', they replied.
"Then he went to his forty equal-ranking wives, and they said: 'Reverend
Steward, do as you think fit.'
"So the Great Steward erected a new lodging to the east of the city and withdrew
there for the four months of the Rains, developing the absorption on compassion,
and nobody came near him except to being him food. But at the end of four months
he felt nothing but dissatisfaction and weariness as he thought: 'I heard it
said...that anyone who withdraws into meditation for the four months of the
Rains, developing the absorption on compassion, can see Brahma with his own
eyes...But I cannot see Brahma with my own eyes, and cannot talk, discuss or
consult with him!'
"Now Brahma Sanankumara read his thoughts and, as swiftly as a strong man might
stretch out his flexed arm or flex it again, he disappeared from the Brahma
world and appeared before the Great Steward. And the Great Steward felt fear and
trembling, and his hair stood on end at such a sight as he had never seen
before. And thus fearful, trembling, with hair standing on end, he addressed
Brahma Sanankumara in these verses:
"'O splendid vision, glorious and divine, Who are you, Lord? I fain would know
your name.'
"'In highest heaven I am know by all; Brahma Sanakumara--know me thus.'
"'A seat, and water for the feet, and cakes Are fitting for a Brahma. Let the
Lord Decide what hospitality he would.'
"'We accept the gift that's offered: now declare What it is you wish from us--a
boon Of profit in this very life, or in the next. Say, Lord, Steward, what it is
you'd have.'
"Then the Great Steward thought: 'Brahma Sanankumara offers me a boon. What
shall I choose--benefits in this life or in that to come?' Then he thought: 'I
am an expert in matters of advantages in this life, and others consult me about
this. Suppose I were to ask Brahma Sanankumara for something of benefit in the
life to come?' And he addressed Brahma in these verses:
"'I ask Brahma Sanankumara this, Doubting, him who has no doubts I ask (For
others too I ask): By doing what Can mortals reach the deathless Brahma world?'
"'That man who spurns all possessive thoughts, Alone, intent, compassion-filled,
Aloof from stench, free from lust-- Established thus, and training thus, Can
mortals reach the deathless Brahma world.'
"'I understand "Spurning possessive thoughts". This means that one renounces
one's possessions, small or great, leaves one's relatives, few or many, and,
shaving off hair and beard, goes forth from the household life into
homelessness. This is how I understand "Spurning possessive thoughts". I
understand "Alone, intent". That means that one goes off on one's own and
chooses a lodging in the forest, at the foot of a tree, in a mountain glen, in a
rocky cave, a charnel-ground, in the jungle or on a heap of grass in the
open...I understand "Compassion-filled". That means that one dwells suffusing
one quarter with a mind filled with compassion, then a second, then a third and
a fourth quarter. Thus one abides suffusing the whole world, up, down and
across, everywhere, all around, with a mind filled with compassion, expanded,
immeasurable, free from hatred and ill-will. That is how I understand
"Compassion-filled". But the Lord's words about "Aloof from stench" I do not
understand:
"'What do you mean, Brahma, by "stench" among men? Pray lighten my ignorance, O
wise one, on this. What hindrance causes man to stink and fester, Heading for
hell, from Brahma-realm cut off?'
"'Anger, lying, fraud and cheating, Avarice, pride and jealousy, Coveting, doubt
and harming others, Greed and hate, stupor and delusion: The loathsome stench
that these give off Heads man for hell, from Brahma-realm cut off.'
"'As I understand the Lord's words about the stench, these things are not easy
to overcome if one lives the household life. I will therefore go forth from the
household life into the homeless state.' 'Reverend Steward, do as you think
fit.'
"So the Great Steward went to King Renu and said: 'My Lord, please appoint
another minister to manage your affairs. I wish to go forth from the household
life into homelessness. After what Brahma has told me about the stench of the
world, which cannot be easily overcome by one living the household life, I am
going forth into homelessness:
"'King Renu, lord of this realm, I declare, You yourself must rule, I'll counsel
you no more!'
"'If anything you lack, I'll make it good, If any hurt you, my royal arms shall
guard you. You my father, I your son, Steward, stay!'
"'I lack nothing, none there is who harms me; No human voice I heard--at home I
cannot stay.'
"'"Non-human"--what's he like who calls, that you At once abandon home and all
of us?'
"'Before I went on this retreat I thought of sacrifice, Lighting the sacred
fire, strewing kusa-grass. But now--eternal Brahma from Brahma-realm's Appeared.
I asked, he answered: I now can stay no more.'
"'Reverend Steward, in your words I trust. Such words Once heard, you had no
other course. We will follow: Steward, be our Master. Like a beryl-gem, clear,
of finest water, So purified, we'll follow in your wake.'
"'If the Reverend Steward goes forth from the household life into homelessness,
I will do the same. Wherever you go, we will follow.'
"Then the Great Steward went to the six nobles and said to them: 'My lords,
please appoint another minister to manage your affairs. I wish to go forth from
the household life into homelessness...' And the six nobles went aside and
consulted together: 'These Brahmins are greedy for money. Perhaps we can win the
Great Steward round with money.' So they came back to him and said: 'Sir, there
is plenty of wealth in these seven kingdoms. Take as much as you like.' 'Enough,
gentlemen, I have received plenty of wealth from my lords already. That is the
very thing that I am renouncing in order to go forth from the household life
into homelessness, as I have explained.'
"Then the six nobles went aside again and consulted together: 'These Brahmins
are greedy for women. Perhaps we can win the Great Steward round with women.' So
they came to him and said: 'Sir, there are plenty of women in these seven
kingdoms. Take your pick!' 'Enough, gentleman, I already have forty equal wives,
and I am leaving them in order to go forth from the household life into
homelessness, as I have explained.'
"'If the Reverend Steward goes forth from the household life into homelessness,
we will do likewise. Wherever you go, we will follow:
"'If you renounce those lusts that bind most men, Exert yourself, be strong and
patiently endure! This is the path that's straight, the peerless path, The path
of truth, guarded by the good, to Brahma's Realm.'
"'And so, Lord Steward, just wait seven years, and then we too will go forth
into homelessness. Wherever you go, we will follow.'
"'Gentlemen, seven years is far too long, I cannot wait for seven years! Who can
tell how long people will live? We have to go on into the next world, we must
learn by means of wisdom, we must do what is right and live the holy life, for
nothing that is born is immortal. Now I am going forth as I have explained.'
"'Well, Reverend Steward, just wait six years,...five years,...four
years,...three years,...two years,...one year, and then we too will go forth
into homelessness. Wherever you go, we will follow.'
"'Gentlemen, one year is far too long...' 'Then wait seven months..."
"'Gentlemen, seven months is far too long...' 'Then wait six months,...five
months,...four months,...three months,...two months,...one month,...half a
month...'
"'Gentlemen, half a month is far too long...' 'Then, Reverend Steward, just wait
seven days while we make over our kingdoms to our sons and brothers. At the end
of seven days we will go forth into homelessness. Wherever you go, we will
follow.' 'Seven is not long, I agree, my lords, to seven days.'
"Then the Great Steward went to the seven Brahmins and their seven hundred
advanced pupils, and said to them: 'Now, Your Reverences, you must seek another
teacher to teach you the mantras. I mean to go forth from the household life
into homelessness. After what Brahma has told me about the stench of the world,
which cannot be easily overcome by one living the household life, I am going
forth into homelessness.' 'Reverend Steward, do not do so! There is little power
and profit in the homeless life, and much power and profit in the life of a
Brahmin!' 'Do not say such things, gentlemen! Besides, who has greater power and
profit than I have? I have been like a king to kings, like Brahma to the
Brahmins, like a deity to householders, and I am giving all this up in order to
go forth from the household life into homelessness, as I have explained.' 'If
the Reverend Steward goes forth from the household life into homelessness, we
will do likewise. Wherever you go, we will follow.'
"Then the Great Steward went to his forty equal wives and said: 'Whichever of
you ladies wishes to may go back to her own family and seek another husband. I
mean to go forth into homelessness...' 'You alone are the kinsman we could wish
for, the only husband we want. If the Reverend Steward goes forth into
homelessness, we will do likewise. Wherever you go, we will follow.'
"And the Great Steward, at the end of the seven days, shaved off his hair and
beard, donned yellow robes and went forth from the household life into
homelessness. And with him went the seven anointed Khattiya kings, the seven
wealthy and distinguished Brahmins with their seven hundred advanced pupils, his
forty equal wives, several thousand Khattiyas, several thousand Brahmins,
several thousand householders, even some harem-women.
"And so, followed by this company, the Great Steward wandered through villages,
towns and royal cities. And whenever he came to a village or town, he was like a
king to kings, like Brahma to the Brahmins, like a deity to householders. And in
those days, whenever anyone sneezed or stumbled, they used to say: 'Praise be to
the Great Steward! Praise be to the Minister of Seven!'
"And the Great Steward dwelt suffusing one quarter with a mind filled with
loving-kindness, then a second, then a third and a fourth quarter. He dwelt
suffusing the whole world, up, down and across, everywhere, all around, with a
mind filled with compassion,...with a mind filled with sympathetic joy,...with a
mind filled with equanimity,...free from hatred and ill-will. And thus he taught
his disciples the way to union with the Brahma-world.
"And all those who had at that time been the Great Steward's pupils and had
fully mastered his teaching, were after death at the breaking-up of the body
reborn in a happy sphere, in the Brahma-world. And those who had not fully
mastered his teaching were reborn either among the Paranimmita-Vasavatti devas,
among the Nimmanarati devas, among the Tusita devas, among the Yama devas, among
the devas of the Thirty-Three Gods, or among the devas of the Four Great Kings.
And the very lowest realm that any of them attained was of the gandhabbas. Thus
the going-forth of all those people was not fruitless or barren, but productive
of fruit and profit.
"Do you remember this, Lord?" "I do, Pancasikha. At that time I was the Brahmin,
the Great Steward, and I taught those disciples the path to union with the
Brahma-world.
"However, Pancasikha, that holy life does not lead to disenchantment, to
dispassion, to cessation, to peace, to super-knowledge, to enlightenment, to
Nibbana, but only to birth in the Brahma-world, whereas my holy life leads
unfailingly to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to peace, to
super-knowledge, to enlightenment, to Nibbana. That is the Noble Eightfold Path,
namely Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood,
Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration.
"And, Pancasikha, those of my disciples who have fully mastered my teaching have
by their own super-knowledge realized, by the destruction of the corruptions in
this very life, the uncorrupted freedom of heart and mind. And of those who have
not fully mastered it, some by the destruction of the five lower fetters will be
reborn spontaneously, attaining thence to Nibbana without returning to this
world; some by the destruction of three fetters and the reduction of greed,
hatred and delusion will become Once-Returners, who will return once to his
world before making an end of suffering; and some by the destruction of three
fetters will become Stream-Winners, incapable of falling into states of woe,
assured of enlightenment. Thus the going-forth of all these people was not
fruitless or barren, but productive of fruit and profit."
Thus the Lord spoke, and Pancasikha of the gandhabbas was delighted and rejoiced
at the Lord's words. And, having saluted him, he passed him by on the right and
vanished from the spot.
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