2:4 Blessings

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. Then, when the night had advanced, a certain deity of stunning beauty, having illuminated the entire Jeta’s Grove, approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, stood to one side, and addressed the Blessed One in verse:

---

258“Many devas and human beings
have reflected on blessings,
longing for safety,
so declare the highest blessing.” (1)

259“Not associating with fools,
associating with the wise,
and venerating those worthy of veneration:
this is the highest blessing. (2)

260“Residing in a suitable place,
merit done in the past,
and directing oneself rightly:
this is the highest blessing. (3) [47]

261“Much learning, a craft,
a well-trained discipline,
and well-spoken speech:
this is the highest blessing. (4)

262“Serving one’s mother and father,
maintaining a wife and children,
and an honest occupation:
this is the highest blessing. (5)

263“Giving and righteous conduct,
assistance to relatives,
blameless deeds:
this is the highest blessing. (6)

264“Desisting and abstaining from evil,
refraining from intoxicating drink,
heedfulness in good qualities:
this is the highest blessing. (7)

265“Reverence and humility,
contentment and gratitude,
timely listening to the Dhamma:
this is the highest blessing. (8)

266“Patience, being amenable to advice,
the seeing of ascetics,
timely discussion on the Dhamma:
this is the highest blessing. (9)

267“Austerity and the spiritual life,
seeing of the noble truths,
and realization of nibbāna:
this is the highest blessing. (10)

268“One whose mind does not shake
when touched by worldly conditions,
sorrowless, dust-free, secure:
this is the highest blessing. (11)

269“Those who have done these things
are victorious everywhere;
everywhere they go safely:
theirs is that highest blessing.” (12)

Maṅgalasutta

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—​ ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho sā devatā bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

---

258"Bahū devā manussā ca,
maṅgalāni acintayuṁ;
Ākaṅkhamānā sotthānaṁ,
brūhi maṅgalamuttamaṁ".

259 "Asevanā ca bālānaṁ,
paṇḍitānañca sevanā;
Pūjā ca pūjaneyyānaṁ,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

260 Patirūpadesavāso ca,
pubbe ca katapuññatā;
Attasammāpaṇidhi ca,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

261 Bāhusaccañca sippañca,
vinayo ca susikkhito;
Subhāsitā ca yā vācā,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

262 Mātāpitu upaṭṭhānaṁ,
puttadārassa saṅgaho;
Anākulā ca kammantā,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

263 Dānañca dhammacariyā ca,
ñātakānañca saṅgaho;
Anavajjāni kammāni,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

264 Āratī viratī pāpā,
majjapānā ca saṁyamo;
Appamādo ca dhammesu,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

265 Gāravo ca nivāto ca,
santuṭṭhi ca kataññutā;
Kālena dhammassavanaṁ,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

266 Khantī ca sovacassatā,
samaṇānañca dassanaṁ;
Kālena dhammasākacchā,
etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

267 Tapo ca brahmacariyañca,
Ariyasaccāna dassanaṁ;
Nibbānasacchikiriyā ca,
Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

268 Phuṭṭhassa lokadhammehi,
Cittaṁ yassa na kampati;
Asokaṁ virajaṁ khemaṁ,
Etaṁ maṅgalamuttamaṁ.

269 Etādisāni katvāna,
Sabbattha maparājitā;
Sabbattha sotthiṁ gacchanti,
Taṁ tesaṁ maṅgalamuttaman"ti.

---

Maṅgalasuttaṁ catutthaṁ.