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B0102051522mahānipāto (great chapter)

English

Kuru and Jambudīpa, see it created in the gem. 1420. See the moon and the sun, shining in four directions; circling Mount Sineru, see it created in the gem. 1421. Sineru, Himavanta and, the ocean and the mighty earth; And the four great kings, see them created in the gem. In parks and groves, on slopes and rocky peaks; Delightful, crowded with kimpurisas, see them created in the gem. The Phārusaka, Cittalatā, Missaka, Nandana groves; And the Vejayanta palace, see them created in the gem. The Sudhammā, Tāvatiṃsa, and the blooming Pāricchattaka; And Erāvaṇa, the king of nāgas, see them created in the gem. See here the celestial maidens, risen like lightning from the sky; Wandering in Nandana, see them created in the gem. See here the celestial maidens, enticing the sons of devas; Delighting the sons of devas, see them created in the gem. Palaces, more than a thousand, spread with beryl slabs; Blazing with color, see them created in the gem. In Tāvatiṃsa and Yāma, and Tusita also created; And Paranimmitavasavattī, see them created in the gem. See here the lotus ponds, with very clear, pure water; Covered with mandālaka flowers, and with lotuses and water lilies. Here are ten white rows, ten blue, delightful; Six tawny, fifteen, and fourteen yellow. Twenty golden ones there, twenty made of silver; Thirty appear, shining like the color of fireflies. Here are ten black ones, and six, twenty-five crimson; Mixed with bandhuka flowers, adorned with blue water lilies. Thus, complete in all its parts, radiant, shining; O great king, O best of bipeds, see this jewel-offering. O king, approach the mark that has come, such a jewel-gem is not yours; We shall win by righteousness, not by force, And quickly declare our conquered one. 1435. Pañcālas, Sūrasenas, Macchas and Maddas, with Kekakas; Let them see our honest fight, Let them not find fault in our assembly. 1436. They entered, intoxicated with the madness of dice, The king of Kurus and Punṇaka, the yakkha. The king chose the losing throw, Punṇaka, the yakkha, took the winning throw. 1437. There, both of them, having met in the game of dice, In the presence of kings and amidst friends, The yakkha defeated the best of human heroes; There, a great uproar arose. 1438. Victory, great king, and defeat, Happen to one of those who strive. O lord of men, you are conquered by a supreme treasure; And quickly declare my conquered one. 1439. Elephants, cattle, horses, and jeweled earrings, And whatever other treasure I have on earth; Take, Kaccāna, the best of these riches, Take it and go wherever you wish. 1440. Elephants, cattle, horses, and jeweled earrings, And whatever other treasure you have on earth; The best of these is the doer named Vidhura. He is my conquered one; declare him to me. 1441. He is my self, my refuge, and my resort, My island, my shelter, and my ultimate goal. He is incomparable to me with wealth; This doer is like my very life. 1442. Long would be this dispute between you and me. Let us go and ask him directly. Let him himself explain this matter to us. Whatever he says, let that be the word for both of us. 1443. Indeed, you speak the truth, And, young man, not with rashness. Let us go and ask him, And by that, both of us will be satisfied. 1444. Is it true, O gods, that the Kurus have An advisor named Vidhura, established in righteousness? Are you a servant of the king, or are you a kinsman? What is this designation "Vidhura" in the world? 1445. Some become slaves by birth, Others become slaves bought with wealth. Some themselves come as slaves, Others become slaves driven by fear. 1446. These men He has four slaves, indeed, I too am born of a womb. The king's existence and the king's non-existence, I am the deva's slave, even going to the beyond. By the Dhamma, O young man, you should give me to him." 1447. "This is my second victory today, for the questioner has revealed the problem. The best of kings is truly unrighteous, you do not approve of my well-spoken words." 1448. "If he did not reveal the problem thus, I am a slave, and I am not a relative. Take, Kaccāna, a choice of riches, take it and go wherever you wish." The Chapter on the Dice. The Problem of Household Life 1449. "For a householder living in his own home, how would his livelihood be secure? How would he be supported? 1450. "How would he be free from trouble, and a truth-speaking young man? How would he not grieve, having passed from this world to the next?" 1451. There, Vidhura, who was swift, resolute, wise, and saw the meaning, who had discerned all phenomena, spoke this. 1452. "Do not share a wife, do not eat sweets alone. Do not associate with sophists, this does not lead to the growth of wisdom. 1453. "Virtuous, accomplished in observances, diligent, discerning; of humble conduct, not arrogant, friendly, gentle, mild. 1454. "A gatherer of friends, generous, methodical; he should always satisfy ascetics and brahmins with food and drink. 1455. "Desirous of Dhamma, a holder of what is heard, he should be one who asks questions; he should respectfully attend upon the virtuous and learned. 1456. "For a householder living in his own home, his livelihood would be secure thus, his support would be thus. 1457. "He would be free from trouble thus, and a truth-speaking young man; from this world to the next world, he would not grieve thus, having passed away." The Problem of Household Life. The Chapter on Marks 1458. "Come now, let us go, he has been given to me by the lord; I will act for my own purpose." this is the ancient law.’’ 1459. “I know, young man, that I have been given to you by your lord; And we shall dwell in the house for three days, so that we may instruct our children now.” 1460. “Let it be so for me, let us dwell for three days; do your duties in the house today, Instruct your children and wives today, so that they may be happy with you hereafter.” 1461. Saying “So be it,” the pleased yakka departed with Vidhura; And the foremost of the Ariyas entered that inner chamber, frequented by elephant kings and horses. 1462. He approached the beautiful place, like the palace of Vāsava, with cranes and peacocks, dear and renowned, with abundant food, much food and drink, and precious essence. 1463. There they danced and sang, and called out to one another, adorned women, like nymphs in the heavens. 1464. Having associated with the women, Dhammapāla, with food and drink for the yakka, pondering only what was beneficial, then entered his wife’s presence. 1465. “You, my wife, anointed with sandalwood fragrance, resembling pure gold, come here, listen, my lady, call the children, those with coppery eyes.” 1466. Hearing her husband’s words, Anujjā said to the daughter-in-law, the one with coppery nails and beautiful eyes, “Call those who wear garlands, the children, dark as blue lotus flowers.” 1467. When they arrived, Dhammapāla, kissing his children without trembling, called them and spoke these words: “I have been given to this young man by the king. 1468. Today I am to be obedient to him for my own happiness; he takes me wherever he wishes to go. And I have come to instruct you; how can I go without protection? 1469. If the king, a resident of Kuru country, a multitude of people, full of desire, should ask you, ‘What do you know of the past, of old? What did your father instruct you before?’ 1470. Be of equal seat, All are by me; who here is a man superior to the king? Having made an añjali, say this: "Do not do so, O king, for this is not the Dhamma; A man of low birth, how could he be an equal seat to a tiger-king, O king?" This is called the Chapter on Marks. Living with the King 1471. And he, to his sons and ministers, relatives and well-wishers, with an unyielding mind, spoke this, being separated: 1472. "Come, sirs, to the royal residence, sit down and listen to me; how, having reached the royal court, a person attains fame. 1473. Indeed, one who has reached the royal court, if unknown, does not gain fame; neither a coward, nor a dull-witted person, nor one who is negligent, ever. 1474. When one's virtue and wisdom, and purity are attained; then one trusts in him, and does not withhold secrets from him. 1475. Like a balance held up, with an even beam, well-balanced; when instructed, one should not waver, such a one should live with the king. 1476. Like a balance held up, with an even beam, well-balanced; mastering all things, such a one should live with the king. 1477. By day or by night, wise in royal duties; when instructed, one should not waver, such a one should live with the king. 1478. By day or by night, wise in royal duties; mastering all things, such a one should live with the king. 1479. And the path that is well-made, well-prepared by the king; one should not go where not instructed to go, such a one should live with the king. 1480. One should not eat like the king, nor enjoy sensual pleasures ever; one should go behind in all things, such a one should live with the king. 1481. Not clothes like the king's, not garlands, not anointments; nor a style of dress or personal adornment, should one adopt like the king's; one should adopt a different style, such a one should live with the king. 1482. The king may play with ministers, surrounded by his wives; but a minister, regarding the king's wives, a wise one should not show affection. 1483. Not arrogant, not fickle, skillful, with senses restrained... beloved; Endowed with mental resolution, he should dwell in the king’s abode. 1484. He should not sport with his wives, nor consult in private; He should not take money from his treasury, he should dwell in the king’s abode. 1485. He should not think much of sleep, nor drink liquor for intoxication; He should not kill game in his preserves, he should dwell in the king’s abode. 1486. He should not mount his seat, nor couch, nor chair, nor boat, nor chariot;