1Now at that time a large group of people had been put in shackles by King Pasenadi of Kosala—some in ropes, some in manacles, some in chains.

2Then several mendicants robed up in the morning and, taking their bowls and robes, entered Sāvatthī for alms. Then, after the meal, when they returned from alms-round, they went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what was happening.

3Then, knowing the meaning of this, on that occasion the Buddha recited these verses:

4“The wise say that shackle is not strong
that’s made of iron, wood, or knots.
But obsession with jewels and earrings,
concern for your partners and children:

5this the wise say is a strong shackle
that drags you down, tight, hard to escape.
They cut this too and go forth,
unconcerned, having given up sensual pleasures.”

1Tena kho pana samayena raññā pasenadinā kosalena mahājanakāyo bandhāpito hoti, appekacce rajjūhi appekacce andūhi appekacce saṅkhalikāhi.

2Atha kho sambahulā bhikkhū pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pavisiṁsu. Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkantā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ: "idha, bhante, raññā pasenadinā kosalena mahājanakāyo bandhāpito, appekacce rajjūhi appekacce andūhi appekacce saṅkhalikāhī"ti.

3Atha kho bhagavā etamatthaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imā gāthāyo abhāsi: 

4"Na taṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā,
Yadāyasaṁ dārujaṁ pabbajañca;
Sārattarattā maṇikuṇḍalesu,
Puttesu dāresu ca yā apekkhā.

5Etaṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā,
Ohārinaṁ sithilaṁ duppamuñcaṁ;
Etampi chetvāna paribbajanti,
Anapekkhino kāmasukhaṁ pahāyā"ti.

Paṭhamo vaggo.

6Daharo puriso jarā,
piyaṁ attānarakkhito;
Appakā aḍḍākārāṇaṁ,
mallikā yaññabandhananti.