8: The Book of the Eights
V. Sabbath — AN 8.47: With Visākhā on the Loveable Gods
- © Translated from the Pali by Bhante Sujato. (More copyright information)
1At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in the Eastern Monastery, the stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother. Then Visākhā, Migāra’s mother, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to her:
2“Visākhā, when they have eight qualities females — when their body breaks up, after death — are reborn in company with the Gods of the Lovable Host. What eight? Take the case of a female whose mother and father give her to a husband wanting what’s best for her, out of kindness and compassion. She would get up before him and go to bed after him, and be obliging, behaving nicely and speaking politely. …
3She’s generous. She lives at home rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share. When they have these eight qualities females — when their body breaks up, after death — are reborn in company with the Gods of the Lovable Host.
4She’d never look down on her husband,
who’s always keen to work hard,
always looking after her,
and bringing whatever she wants.
5And a good woman never scolds her husband
with jealous words.
Being astute, she reveres
those respected by her husband.
6She gets up early, works tirelessly,
and manages the domestic help.
She’s loveable to her husband,
and preserves his wealth.
7A lady who fulfills these duties
according to her husband’s desire,
is reborn among the gods
called ‘Loveable’.”
1Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati pubbārāme migāramātupāsāde. Atha kho visākhā migāramātā … pe … ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho visākhaṁ migāramātaraṁ bhagavā etadavoca:
2"Aṭṭhahi kho, visākhe, dhammehi samannāgato mātugāmo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā manāpakāyikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati. Katamehi aṭṭhahi? Idha, visākhe, mātugāmo yassa mātāpitaro bhattuno denti atthakāmā hitesino anukampakā anukampaṁ upādāya tassa hoti pubbuṭṭhāyinī pacchānipātinī kiṅkārapaṭissāvinī manāpacārinī piyavādinī … pe … .
3Cāgavatī kho pana hoti. Vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati muttacāgā payatapāṇinī vossaggaratā yācayogā dānasaṁvibhāgaratā. Imehi kho, visākhe, aṭṭhahi dhammehi samannāgato mātugāmo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā manāpakāyikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjatīti.
4Yo naṁ bharati sabbadā,
niccaṁ ātāpi ussuko;
Taṁ sabbakāmadaṁ posaṁ,
bhattāraṁ nātimaññati.
5Na cāpi sotthi bhattāraṁ,
issāvādena rosaye;
Bhattu ca garuno sabbe,
paṭipūjeti paṇḍitā.
6Uṭṭhāhikā analasā,
saṅgahitaparijjanā;
Bhattu manāpaṁ carati,
sambhataṁ anurakkhati.
7Yā evaṁ vattati nārī,
bhattu chandavasānugā;
Manāpā nāma te devā,
Sattamaṁ.