---
title: "Linked Discourses I: With Verses · Saṁyutta Nikāya · Sagāthāvagga"
author: "The Buddha"
translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato"
languages: [pi, en]
shelf: "Pali Canon"
section: 5 of 31
url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-samyutta-nikaya-1/5/
cite: "The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Linked Discourses I: With Verses · Saṁyutta Nikāya · Sagāthāvagga, section 5. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-samyutta-nikaya-1/5/"
---

# Linked Discourses I: With Verses · Saṁyutta Nikāya · Sagāthāvagga

*The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato*

The first book of the Linked Discourses: dialogues in verse with gods, Māra, nuns, brahmins and kings.

> Pali: the Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka (Buddha Jayanti edition, 2500), from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

> English: Bhikkhu Sujato, from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the segment numbers the two texts share, gathered into paragraphs; verse keeps its lines.

## 5. On Fire · SN 1.41–1.50

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-samyutta-nikaya-1/5/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-samyutta-nikaya-1/5/#p-N

[¶0] SN 1.41 · On Fire

> Pali: SN 1.41 · Ādittasutta

[¶1] So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

> Pali: Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

[¶2] Then, late at night, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

> Pali: Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho sā devatā bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

[¶3] “When your house is on fire,
you rescue the pot
that’s useful,
not the one that’s burnt.

> Pali: “Ādittasmiṁ agārasmiṁ,
yaṁ nīharati bhājanaṁ;
Taṁ tassa hoti atthāya,
no ca yaṁ tattha ḍayhati.

[¶4] And as the world is on fire
with old age and death,
you should rescue by giving,
for what’s given is rescued.

> Pali: Evaṁ ādittako loko,
jarāya maraṇena ca;
Nīharetheva dānena,
dinnaṁ hoti sunīhataṁ.

[¶5] What’s given has happiness as its fruit,
but not what isn’t given.
Bandits take it, or rulers,
it’s consumed by fire, or lost.

> Pali: Dinnaṁ sukhaphalaṁ hoti,
nādinnaṁ hoti taṁ tathā;
Corā haranti rājāno,
aggi ḍahati nassati.

[¶6] Then in the end this corpse is cast off,
along with all your possessions.
Knowing this, an intelligent person
would enjoy what they have and also give it away.
After giving and using according to their means,
blameless, they go to a heavenly place.”

> Pali: Atha antena jahati,
Sarīraṁ sapariggahaṁ;
Etadaññāya medhāvī,
Bhuñjetha ca dadetha ca;
Datvā ca bhutvā ca yathānubhāvaṁ,
Anindito saggamupeti ṭhānan”ti.

[¶7] SN 1.42 · Giving What?

> Pali: SN 1.42 · Kiṁdadasutta

[¶8] “Giving what do you give strength?
Giving what do you give beauty?
Giving what do you give happiness?
Giving what do you give vision?
And who is the giver of all?
Please answer my question.”

> Pali: “Kiṁdado balado hoti,
kiṁdado hoti vaṇṇado;
Kiṁdado sukhado hoti,
kiṁdado hoti cakkhudo;
Ko ca sabbadado hoti,
taṁ me akkhāhi pucchito”ti.

[¶9] “Giving food you give strength.
Giving clothes you give beauty.
Giving a vehicle you give happiness.
Giving a lamp you give vision.

> Pali: “Annado balado hoti,
vatthado hoti vaṇṇado;
Yānado sukhado hoti,
dīpado hoti cakkhudo.

[¶10] And the giver of all
is the one who gives monastic quarters.
But one who teaches the Dhamma
gives the gift of freedom from death.”

> Pali: So ca sabbadado hoti,
yo dadāti upassayaṁ;
Amataṁ dado ca so hoti,
yo dhammamanusāsatī”ti.

[¶11] SN 1.43 · Food

> Pali: SN 1.43 · Annasutta

[¶12] “Both gods and humans
enjoy their food.
So what’s the name of the spirit
who doesn’t enjoy food?”

> Pali: “Annamevābhinandanti,
ubhaye devamānusā;
Atha ko nāma so yakkho,
yaṁ annaṁ nābhinandatī”ti.

[¶13] “Those who give with faith
and a clear and confident heart,
partake of food
in this world and the next.

> Pali: “Ye naṁ dadanti saddhāya,
vippasannena cetasā;
Tameva annaṁ bhajati,
asmiṁ loke paramhi ca.

[¶14] So you should dispel stinginess,
overcoming that stain, and give a gift.
The good deeds of sentient beings
support them in the next world.”

> Pali: Tasmā vineyya maccheraṁ,
dajjā dānaṁ malābhibhū;
Puññāni paralokasmiṁ,
patiṭṭhā honti pāṇinan”ti.

[¶15] SN 1.44 · One Root

> Pali: SN 1.44 · Ekamūlasutta

[¶16] “One the root, two the loops,
three the stains, five the spreads,
and the ocean, the twelfth whirlpool:
such is the abyss crossed by the seer.”

> Pali: “Ekamūlaṁ dvirāvaṭṭaṁ,
timalaṁ pañcapattharaṁ;
Samuddaṁ dvādasāvaṭṭaṁ,
pātālaṁ atarī isī”ti.

[¶17] SN 1.45 · Peerless

> Pali: SN 1.45 · Anomasutta

[¶18] “Behold him of peerless name <j>who sees the subtle meaning,
giver of wisdom, <j>unattached to the realm of sensuality:
the all-knower, so very intelligent,
the great seer treading the noble road.”

> Pali: “Anomanāmaṁ nipuṇatthadassiṁ,
Paññādadaṁ kāmālaye asattaṁ;
Taṁ passatha sabbaviduṁ sumedhaṁ,
Ariye pathe kamamānaṁ mahesin”ti.

[¶19] SN 1.46 · Nymphs

> Pali: SN 1.46 · Accharāsutta

[¶20] “It’s resounding with a group of nymphs,
but haunted by a gang of goblins!
This grove is called ‘Deluding’.
How will I keep going?”

> Pali: “Accharāgaṇasaṅghuṭṭhaṁ,
pisācagaṇasevitaṁ;
Vanantaṁ mohanaṁ nāma,
kathaṁ yātrā bhavissatī”ti.

[¶21] “That path is called ‘the direct way’,
and it’s headed for the place called ‘fearless’.
The chariot is called ‘unswerving’,
fitted with wheels of the teaching.

> Pali: “Ujuko nāma so maggo,
abhayā nāma sā disā;
Ratho akūjano nāma,
dhammacakkehi saṁyuto.

[¶22] Conscience is its bench-back,
mindfulness its upholstery.
I say the teaching is the driver,
with right view running out in front.

> Pali: Hirī tassa apālambo,
satyassa parivāraṇaṁ;
Dhammāhaṁ sārathiṁ brūmi,
sammādiṭṭhipurejavaṁ.

[¶23] Any woman or man
who has such a vehicle,
by means of this vehicle
has drawn near to extinguishment.”

> Pali: Yassa etādisaṁ yānaṁ,
itthiyā purisassa vā;
Sa ve etena yānena,
nibbānasseva santike”ti.

[¶24] SN 1.47 · Planters

> Pali: SN 1.47 · Vanaropasutta

[¶25] “Whose merit always grows
by day and by night?
What people—firm in principle, <j>accomplished in conduct—
are going to heaven?”

> Pali: “Kesaṁ divā ca ratto ca,
sadā puññaṁ pavaḍḍhati;
Dhammaṭṭhā sīlasampannā,
ke janā saggagāmino”ti.

[¶26] “Planters of parks or groves,
those who build a bridge,
a drinking place and well,
and those who give monastic quarters.

> Pali: “Ārāmaropā vanaropā,
ye janā setukārakā;
Papañca udapānañca,
ye dadanti upassayaṁ.

[¶27] Their merit always grows
by day and by night.
Those people—firm in principle, <j>accomplished in conduct—
are going to heaven.”

> Pali: Tesaṁ divā ca ratto ca,
sadā puññaṁ pavaḍḍhati;
Dhammaṭṭhā sīlasampannā,
te janā saggagāmino”ti.

[¶28] SN 1.48 · Jeta’s Grove

> Pali: SN 1.48 · Jetavanasutta

[¶29] “This is indeed that Jeta’s Grove,
frequented by the Saṅgha of seers,
where the King of Dhamma stayed:
it brings me joy!

> Pali: “Idañhi taṁ jetavanaṁ,
isisaṅghanisevitaṁ;
Āvutthaṁ dhammarājena,
pītisañjananaṁ mama.

[¶30] Deeds, knowledge, and principle;
ethical conduct, an excellent livelihood;
by these are mortals purified,
not by clan or wealth.

> Pali: Kammaṁ vijjā ca dhammo ca,
sīlaṁ jīvitamuttamaṁ;
Etena maccā sujjhanti,
na gottena dhanena vā.

[¶31] That’s why an astute person,
seeing what’s good for themselves,
would examine the teaching rationally,
that’s how they become purified in that.

> Pali: Tasmā hi paṇḍito poso,
sampassaṁ atthamattano;
Yoniso vicine dhammaṁ,
evaṁ tattha visujjhati.

[¶32] Sāriputta is full of wisdom,
ethics, and peace.
Even a mendicant who has crossed over
might at best equal him.”

> Pali: Sāriputtova paññāya,
sīlena upasamena ca;
Yopi pāraṅgato bhikkhu,
etāvaparamo siyā”ti.

[¶33] SN 1.49 · Stingy

> Pali: SN 1.49 · Maccharisutta

[¶34] “Those folk in the world who are stingy,
miserly and abusive,
setting up obstacles
for others who give.

> Pali: “Yedha maccharino loke,
kadariyā paribhāsakā;
Aññesaṁ dadamānānaṁ,
antarāyakarā narā.

[¶35] What kind of result do they reap?
What kind of future life?
We’ve come to ask the worthy sir:
how are we to understand this?”

> Pali: Kīdiso tesaṁ vipāko,
samparāyo ca kīdiso;
Bhagavantaṁ puṭṭhumāgamma,
kathaṁ jānemu taṁ mayan”ti.

[¶36] “Those folk in the world who are stingy,
miserly and abusive,
setting up obstacles
for others who give:

> Pali: “Yedha maccharino loke,
kadariyā paribhāsakā;
Aññesaṁ dadamānānaṁ,
antarāyakarā narā.

[¶37] they’re reborn in hell,
the animal realm, or Yama’s world.
If they return to the human state,
they’re born in a poor family,

> Pali: Nirayaṁ tiracchānayoniṁ,
yamalokaṁ upapajjare;
Sace enti manussattaṁ,
dalidde jāyare kule.

[¶38] where clothes, food, pleasure, and play
are hard to find.
They don’t even get
what they hope for from others.
This is the result in the present life,
and in the next, a bad destination.”

> Pali: Coḷaṁ piṇḍo ratī khiḍḍā,
yattha kicchena labbhati;
Parato āsīsare bālā,
tampi tesaṁ na labbhati;
Diṭṭhe dhammesa vipāko,
samparāye ca duggatī”ti.

[¶39] “We understand what you’re saying,
and ask another question, Gotama.
What about those who’ve gained the human state,
who are bountiful and rid of stinginess,

> Pali: “Itihetaṁ vijānāma,
aññaṁ pucchāma gotama;
Yedha laddhā manussattaṁ,
vadaññū vītamaccharā.

[¶40] confident in the Buddha and the teaching,
with keen respect for the Saṅgha?
What kind of result do they reap?
What kind of future life?
We’ve come to ask the worthy sir:
how are we to understand this?”

> Pali: Buddhe pasannā dhamme ca,
saṅghe ca tibbagāravā;
Kīdiso tesaṁ vipāko,
samparāyo ca kīdiso;
Bhagavantaṁ puṭṭhumāgamma,
kathaṁ jānemu taṁ mayan”ti.

[¶41] “Those who’ve gained the human state
who are bountiful and rid of stinginess,
confident in the Buddha and the teaching,
with keen respect for the Saṅgha:
they illuminate the heavens
wherever they’re reborn.

> Pali: “Yedha laddhā manussattaṁ,
vadaññū vītamaccharā;
Buddhe pasannā dhamme ca,
saṅghe ca tibbagāravā;
Ete saggā pakāsanti,
yattha te upapajjare.

[¶42] If they return to the human state,
they’re reborn in a rich family,
where clothes, food, pleasure, and play
are easy to find.

> Pali: Sace enti manussattaṁ,
aḍḍhe ājāyare kule;
Coḷaṁ piṇḍo ratī khiḍḍā,
yatthākicchena labbhati.

[¶43] They rejoice like those
who control the possessions of others.
This is the result in the present life,
and in the next, a good destination.”

> Pali: Parasambhatesu bhogesu,
vasavattīva modare;
Diṭṭhe dhammesa vipāko,
samparāye ca suggatī”ti.

[¶44] SN 1.50 · With Ghaṭīkāra

> Pali: SN 1.50 · Ghaṭīkārasutta

[¶45] “Seven mendicants reborn in Aviha
have been freed.
With the complete ending of greed and hate,
they’ve crossed over clinging to the world.”

> Pali: “Avihaṁ upapannāse,
vimuttā satta bhikkhavo;
Rāgadosaparikkhīṇā,
tiṇṇā loke visattikan”ti.

[¶46] “Who are those who’ve crossed the bog,
Death’s dominion so hard to pass?
Who, after leaving behind the human body,
have risen above celestial yokes?”

> Pali: “Ke ca te ataruṁ paṅkaṁ,
maccudheyyaṁ suduttaraṁ;
Ke hitvā mānusaṁ dehaṁ,
dibbayogaṁ upaccagun”ti.

[¶47] “Upaka and Palagaṇḍa,
and Pukkusāti, these three;
Bhaddiya and Bhaddadeva,
and Bāhudanti and Piṅgiya.
They, after leaving behind the human body,
have risen above celestial yokes.”

> Pali: “Upako palagaṇḍo ca,
pukkusāti ca te tayo;
Bhaddiyo khaṇḍadevo ca,
bāhuraggi ca siṅgiyo;
Te hitvā mānusaṁ dehaṁ,
dibbayogaṁ upaccagun”ti.

[¶48] “You speak well of them,
who have let go the snares of Māra.
Whose teaching did they understand
to cut the bonds of rebirth?”

> Pali: “Kusalī bhāsasī tesaṁ,
mārapāsappahāyinaṁ;
Kassa te dhammamaññāya,
acchiduṁ bhavabandhanan”ti.

[¶49] “None other than the Blessed One!
None other than your instruction!
It was your teaching that they understood
to cut the bonds of rebirth.

> Pali: “Na aññatra bhagavatā,
nāññatra tava sāsanā;
Yassa te dhammamaññāya,
acchiduṁ bhavabandhanaṁ.

[¶50] Where name and form
cease with no residue left behind;
understanding this teaching,
they cut the bonds of rebirth.”

> Pali: Yattha nāmañca rūpañca,
asesaṁ uparujjhati;
Taṁ te dhammaṁ idhaññāya,
acchiduṁ bhavabandhanan”ti.

[¶51] “The words you say are deep,
hard to understand, so very hard to wake up to.
Whose teaching did you understand
that you can say such things?”

> Pali: “Gambhīraṁ bhāsasī vācaṁ,
dubbijānaṁ sudubbudhaṁ;
Kassa tvaṁ dhammamaññāya,
vācaṁ bhāsasi īdisan”ti.

[¶52] “In the past I was a potter
in Vebhaliṅga named Ghaṭīkāra.
I took care of my parents
as a lay follower of Buddha Kassapa.

> Pali: “Kumbhakāro pure āsiṁ,
vekaḷiṅge ghaṭīkaro;
Mātāpettibharo āsiṁ,
kassapassa upāsako.

[¶53] I refrained from sexual intercourse,
I was chaste, spiritual.
We lived in the same village;
in the past I was your comrade.

> Pali: Virato methunā dhammā,
brahmacārī nirāmiso;
Ahuvā te sagāmeyyo,
ahuvā te pure sakhā.

[¶54] I am the one who understands
that these seven mendicants have been freed.
With the complete ending of greed and hate,
they’ve crossed over clinging to the world.”

> Pali: Sohamete pajānāmi,
vimutte satta bhikkhavo;
Rāgadosaparikkhīṇe,
tiṇṇe loke visattikan”ti.

[¶55] “That’s exactly how it was,
just as you say, Bhaggava.
In the past you were a potter
in Vebhaliṅga named Ghaṭīkāra.
You took care of your parents
as a lay follower of Buddha Kassapa.

> Pali: “Evametaṁ tadā āsi,
yathā bhāsasi bhaggava;
Kumbhakāro pure āsi,
vekaḷiṅge ghaṭīkaro;
Mātāpettibharo āsi,
kassapassa upāsako.

[¶56] You refrained from sexual intercourse,
you were chaste, spiritual.
We lived in the same village;
in the past you were my comrade.”

> Pali: Virato methunā dhammā,
brahmacārī nirāmiso;
Ahuvā me sagāmeyyo,
ahuvā me pure sakhā”ti.

[¶57] That’s how it was
when those friends of old met again.
Both of them were evolved,
bearing their final body.

> Pali: “Evametaṁ purāṇānaṁ,
sahāyānaṁ ahu saṅgamo;
Ubhinnaṁ bhāvitattānaṁ,
sarīrantimadhārinan”ti.

[¶58] > Pali: Ādittavaggo pañcamo.

[¶59] > Pali: Tassuddānaṁ

[¶60] > Pali: Ādittaṁ kiṁdadaṁ annaṁ,
ekamūlaanomiyaṁ;
Accharāvanaropajetaṁ,
maccharena ghaṭīkaroti.