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

Then, late at night, the glorious god Shiva, 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:

2“Associate only with the virtuous!
Try to get close to the virtuous!
Understanding the true teaching of the good,
things get better, not worse.

3Associate only with the virtuous!
Try to get close to the virtuous!
Understanding the true teaching of the good,
wisdom is gained — but not from anyone else.

4Associate only with the virtuous!
Try to get close to the virtuous!
Understanding the true teaching of the good,
you don’t sorrow even among those who sorrow.

5Associate only with the virtuous!
Try to get close to the virtuous!
Understanding the true teaching of the good,
you shine among your relatives.

6Associate only with the virtuous!
Try to get close to the virtuous!
Understanding the true teaching of the good,
sentient beings go to a good place.

7Associate only with the virtuous!
Try to get close to the virtuous!
Understanding the true teaching of the good,
sentient beings live happily.”

8Then the Buddha replied to Shiva in verse:

9“Associate only with the virtuous!
Try to get close to the virtuous!
Understanding the true teaching of the good,
you’re released from all suffering.”

1Evaṁ me sutaṁ — ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ vihārati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

Atha kho sivo devaputto abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇo kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho sivo devaputto bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi: 

2"Sabbhireva samāsetha,
sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
seyyo hoti na pāpiyo.

3Sabbhireva samāsetha,
sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
paññā labbhati nāññato.

4Sabbhireva samāsetha,
sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
sokamajjhe na socati.

5Sabbhireva samāsetha,
sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
ñātimajjhe virocati.

6Sabbhireva samāsetha,
sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
sattā gacchanti suggatiṁ.

7Sabbhireva samāsetha,
sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
sattā tiṭṭhanti sātatan"ti.

8Atha kho bhagavā sivaṁ devaputtaṁ gāthāya paccabhāsi: 

9"Sabbhireva samāsetha,
sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
sabbadukkhā pamuccatī"ti.