SN 51.33–44 · The Ganges River, Etc.
SN 51.33–44 · Gaṅgānadīādisutta
“Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the four bases of psychic power slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.
“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gaṅgā nadī pācīnaninnā pācīnapoṇā pācīnapabbhārā; evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro iddhipāde bhāvento cattāro iddhipāde bahulīkaronto nibbānaninno hoti nibbānapoṇo nibbānapabbhāro.
And how does a mendicant who develops the four bases of psychic power slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to enthusiasm … energy … mental development … inquiry, and active effort.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro iddhipāde bhāvento cattāro iddhipāde bahulīkaronto nibbānaninno hoti nibbānapoṇo nibbānapabbhāro? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, vīriyasamādhi …pe… cittasamādhi … vīmaṁsāsamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti.
That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the four bases of psychic power slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”
Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro iddhipāde bhāvento cattāro iddhipāde bahulīkaronto nibbānaninno hoti nibbānapoṇo nibbānapabbhāro”ti.
Dvādasamaṁ.
Gaṅgāpeyyālavaggo catuttho.
Tassuddānaṁ
Six on slanting to the east,and six on slanting to the ocean;these two sixes make twelve,and that’s how this chapter is recited.
Cha pācīnato ninnā,cha ninnā ca samuddato;Dvete cha dvādasa honti,vaggo tena pavuccatīti.