English
8. The Discourse on Sakka's Questions 344. Thus have I heard: At one time the Blessed One was dwelling in Magadha, to the east of Rājagaha, in a brahmin village named Ambasaṇḍā, to the north of that, on the Vediyaka mountain, in the Indasāla cave. Now at that time, Sakka, lord of devas, felt an urge to see the Blessed One. Then it occurred to Sakka, lord of devas: "Where, now, is the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Awakened One, dwelling at present?" Sakka, lord of devas, saw the Blessed One dwelling in Magadha, to the east of Rājagaha, in a brahmin village named Ambasaṇḍā, to the north of that, on the Vediyaka mountain, in the Indasāla cave. Having seen him, he addressed the Tāvatiṃsa devas: "Friends, the Blessed One is dwelling in Magadha, to the east of Rājagaha, in a brahmin village named Ambasaṇḍā, to the north of that, on the Vediyaka mountain, in the Indasāla cave. What if, friends, we were to approach that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Awakened One, for an audience?" "So be it, good sir," the Tāvatiṃsa devas replied to Sakka, lord of devas. 345. Then Sakka, lord of devas, addressed Pañcasikha, the gandhabba deva-son: "Pañcasikha, my dear, the Blessed One is dwelling in Magadha, to the east of Rājagaha, in a brahmin village named Ambasaṇḍā, to the north of that, on the Vediyaka mountain, in the Indasāla cave. What if, Pañcasikha, my dear, we were to approach that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Awakened One, for an audience?" "So be it, good sir," Pañcasikha, the gandhabba deva-son, replied to Sakka, lord of devas, and taking his Beluvapaṇḍu lute, he went along with Sakka, lord of devas. 346. Then Sakka, lord of devas, surrounded by the Tāvatiṃsa devas, and with Pañcasikha, the gandhabba deva-son, leading the way, just as a strong man might extend a flexed arm or flex an extended arm, And; just so, having vanished from among the Tāvatiṃsa gods, in Magadha, to the east of Rājagaha, at the brahmin village named Ambasaṇḍā, to its north, on Vediyaka mountain, he reappeared. Now at that time, Vediyaka mountain was exceedingly radiant, and the brahmin village of Ambasaṇḍā, as if by the power of the gods. And indeed, people in the surrounding villages said thus: "Surely today Vediyaka mountain is aflame! Surely today Vediyaka mountain is burning! Surely today Vediyaka mountain is blazing! Why today is Vediyaka mountain exceedingly radiant, and the brahmin village of Ambasaṇḍā?" They were agitated, their hair standing on end. 347. Then Sakka, king of the gods, addressed Pañcasikha, the gandhabba god-son: "Difficult to approach, dear Pañcasikha, are Tathāgatas for one like me, absorbed in meditation, delighting in jhāna, secluded in that interval. If you, dear Pañcasikha, would first gladden the Blessed One, then after you, dear one, have first gladdened him, we would approach that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One, for an audience." "Yes, venerable sir," Pañcasikha, the gandhabba god-son, replied to Sakka, king of the gods, and taking his Beluva-paṇḍu lute, he went to the Indasāla cave; having approached, he stood to one side, thinking, "From this distance, the Blessed One will be neither too far nor too near, and he will hear my sound." Pañcasikha's Song Verses 348. Standing to one side, Pañcasikha, the gandhabba god-son, played his Beluva-paṇḍu lute, and he recited these verses, connected with the Buddha, connected with the Dhamma, connected with the Saṅgha, connected with the Arahant, connected with sensual pleasures – "I salute your father, fair one, Timbara, O sun-like maiden; By whom you were born, beautiful one, bringer of joy to me." ma. Like wind to one sweating, like water to one thirsty; Aṅgīrasa is dear to me, like Dhamma to Arahants. Like medicine to the sick, like food to the hungry; Extinguish me, fair one, as water extinguishes a flame. Like a cool-water lotus pond, filled with pollen dust; Like an elephant tormented by heat, I plunge into your breast and belly. Like an elephant without a goad, my hook and spear are conquered; I do not understand the reason, intoxicated by your marked thighs. My mind is greedy for you, my mind is transformed; I cannot turn back, like a fish caught on a crooked hook. O fair-thighed one, embrace me, embrace me, O soft-eyed one; Clasp me, O beautiful one, this is my desire. My desire for the curly-haired one, though small it was, has arisen in many forms, like an offering to Arahants. Whatever merit I have done, towards such Arahants; May that, O all-beautiful one, ripen with you. Whatever merit I have done, in this earthly sphere; May that, O all-beautiful one, ripen with you. Like a Sakyan son in jhāna, unified, astute, mindful; A sage desiring the Deathless, that I am, O sun-like one. Just as a sage would rejoice, having attained supreme enlightenment; So would I rejoice, O beautiful one, having come into union with you. If Sakka, lord of the Tāvatiṃsa gods, were to grant me a boon; I would choose you, fair one, so strong is my desire. Like a sāla tree in full bloom, I bow and pay homage to your father, O wise one, whose offspring is like this. 349. When this was said, the Blessed One spoke to Pañcasikha the gandhabba-devaputta: "Your lute's sound, Pañcasikha, harmonizes with the sound of your singing, and the sound of your singing with the sound of your lute; neither, Pañcasikha, does the sound of your lute overpower the sound of your singing, nor the sound of your singing the sound of your lute. When, Pañcasikha, were these verses, connected with the Buddha, connected with the Dhamma, connected with the Saṅgha—" associated with the pleasant, associated with Arahants, associated with sensual pleasures?" "One time, venerable sir, the Blessed One was dwelling in Uruvelā, on the bank of the Nerañjarā river, at the Ajapāla banyan tree, having just attained full enlightenment. At that time, venerable sir, there was a daughter of Timbaru, the king of the Gandharvas, named Bhaddā Sūriyavacchasā, and I desired her. But, venerable sir, that sister was in love with another; she desired Sikhaṇḍī, the son of Mātali, the charioteer. Since, venerable sir, I could not obtain that sister by any means. Then I, taking my beluva-wood lute, went to the dwelling of Timbaru, the king of the Gandharvas; having gone there, I played my beluva-wood lute, and sang these verses, associated with the Buddha, associated with the Dhamma, associated with the Saṅgha, associated with Arahants, associated with sensual pleasures – "I salute your father, Bhaddā, O Sūriyavacchasā, Timbaru; By whom you were born, beautiful one, My bringer of joy. ...etc... Like a sāla tree recently bloomed, Your father, O wise one; Worshipping, I pay homage, Whose offspring is like this." "When this was said, venerable sir, Bhaddā Sūriyavacchasā said to me – 'Indeed, dear sir, I have not seen that Blessed One face to face, but I have heard of that Blessed One while dancing in the Sudhammā assembly hall of the Tāvatiṃsa gods. Since, dear sir, you praise that Blessed One, let there be a meeting for us today.'" That, venerable sir, was our only meeting with that sister. And not since then." Sakka's Approach 350. Then it occurred to Sakka, king of the gods – "Pañcasikha, the Gandhabba divine son, is exchanging greetings with the Blessed One, and the Blessed One with Pañcasikha." Then Sakka, king of the gods, addressed Pañcasikha, the Gandhabba divine son – "Salute the Blessed One for me, my dear Pañcasikha – saying: 'Sakka, venerable sir, king of the gods, with his ministers and retinue, bows his head at the feet of the Blessed One.'" "Yes, good sir, "Yes, sir!" replied Pañcasikha, the divine musician, to Sakka, king of the gods. He then saluted the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, Sakka, king of the gods, with his ministers and retinue, bows his head at the Blessed One's feet." "May Sakka, king of the gods, with his ministers and retinue, be happy, Pañcasikha; for gods, humans, asuras, nāgas, gandhabbas, and all other diverse beings desire happiness." 351. In this way, Tathāgatas greet such powerful yakkhas. Having been greeted, Sakka, king of the gods, entered the Indasāla Cave of the Blessed One, saluted the Blessed One, and stood to one side. The Tāvatiṃsa gods also entered the Indasāla Cave, saluted the Blessed One, and stood to one side. Pañcasikha, the divine musician, also entered the Indasāla Cave, saluted the Blessed One, and stood to one side. At that time, the Indasāla Cave, which was uneven, became even; which was cramped, became spacious; the darkness in the cave vanished, and light appeared, by the divine power of the gods. 352. Then the Blessed One said to Sakka, king of the gods: "It is wonderful, venerable Kosiya, it is amazing, venerable Kosiya, that you, so busy with many duties and tasks, have come here." "For a long time, venerable sir, I have wished to come and see the Blessed One; but I have been occupied with various duties and tasks of the Tāvatiṃsa gods; thus I was unable to come and see the Blessed One. On one occasion, venerable sir, the Blessed One was dwelling in Sāvatthī, in the Salaḷāgāraka. Then, venerable sir, I went to Sāvatthī to see the Blessed One. But at that time, venerable sir, the Blessed One was seated in a certain meditative absorption, and a female attendant of Vessavaṇa the Great King, named Bhūjatī, was attending the Blessed One. with clasped hands stands revering. Then, venerable sir, I said to Bhūjatī: ‘Salute for me, sister, the Blessed One: “Sakko, venerable sir, lord of devas, with his ministers and retinue, bows his head at the feet of the Blessed One.”’ When this was said, venerable sir, Bhūjatī said to me: ‘It is not the time, good sir, to see the Blessed One; the Blessed One is in seclusion.’ ‘Then, sister, when the Blessed One has arisen from that absorption, then by my words salute the Blessed One: “Sakko, venerable sir, lord of devas,