Nidhikaṇḍasutta
Nidhiṁ nidheti puriso, gambhīre odakantike;A person stashes a fund away deep underground, at the water line: Atthe kicce samuppanne, atthāya me bhavissati.“When a need or duty arises, this will provide for my needs,
Rājato vā duruttassa, corato pīḷitassa vā;for my release if I’m denounced by the king, molested by thieves, Iṇassa vā pamokkhāya, dubbhikkhe āpadāsu vā;in case of debt, famine, or accidents.” Etadatthāya lokasmiṁ, nidhi nāma nidhīyati.With aims like this in the world a reserve fund is stashed away.
Tāvassunihito santo, gambhīre odakantike;But no matter how well it’s stored, deep underground, at the water line, Na sabbo sabbadā eva, tassa taṁ upakappati.it won’t all always serve one’s need.
Nidhi vā ṭhānā cavati, saññā vāssa vimuyhati;The fund gets shifted from its place, or one’s memory gets confused; or—unseen— Nāgā vā apanāmenti, yakkhā vāpi haranti naṁ.nāgas make off with it, spirits steal it,
Appiyā vāpi dāyādā, uddharanti apassato;or hateful heirs run off with it. Yadā puññakkhayo hoti, sabbametaṁ vinassati.When one’s merit’s ended, it’s totally destroyed.
Yassa dānena sīlena, saṁyamena damena ca;But when a man or woman has laid aside a well-stored fund of generosity, virtue, restraint, & self-control, Nidhī sunihito hoti, itthiyā purisassa vā.
Cetiyamhi ca saṅghe vā, puggale atithīsu vā;with regard to a shrine, the Saṅgha, a fine individual, guests, Mātari pitari cāpi, atho jeṭṭhamhi bhātari.mother, father, or elder sibling:
Eso nidhi sunihito, ajeyyo anugāmiko;That’s a well-stored fund. it can’t be wrested away. It follows you along. Pahāya gamanīyesu, etaṁ ādāya gacchati.When, having left this world, for wherever you must go, you take it with you.
Asādhāraṇamaññesaṁ, acorāharaṇo nidhi;This fund is not held in common with others, & cannot be stolen by thieves. Kayirātha dhīro puññāni, yo nidhi anugāmiko.So, enlightened, you should make merit, the fund that will follow you along.
Esa devamanussānaṁ, sabbakāmadado nidhi;This is the fund that gives all they want to beings human, divine. Yaṁ yadevābhipatthenti, sabbametena labbhati.Whatever devas aspire to, that is all gained by this.
Suvaṇṇatā susaratā, susaṇṭhānā surūpatā;A fine complexion, fine voice, a body well-built, well-formed, Ādhipaccaparivāro, sabbametena labbhati.lordship, a following: that is all gained by this.
Padesarajjaṁ issariyaṁ, cakkavattisukhaṁ piyaṁ;Earthly kingship, supremacy, the bliss of an emperor, Devarajjampi dibbesu, sabbametena labbhati.kingship over devas in the heavens: that is all gained by this.
Mānussikā ca sampatti, devaloke ca yā rati;The attainment of the human state, any delight in heaven, Yā ca nibbānasampatti, sabbametena labbhati.the attainment of unbinding: that is all gained by this.
Mittasampadamāgamma, yonisova payuñjato;Excellent friends, appropriate application, Vijjāvimuttivasībhāvo, sabbametena labbhati.mastery of clear knowing & release: that is all gained by this.
Paṭisambhidā vimokkhā ca, yā ca sāvakapāramī;Acumen, emancipations, the perfection of disciplehood: That is all gained by this. Paccekabodhi buddhabhūmi, sabbametena labbhati.Private awakening, Buddhahood: that is all gained by this.
Evaṁ mahatthikā esā, yadidaṁ puññasampadā;So powerful this, the accomplishment of merit. Tasmā dhīrā pasaṁsanti, paṇḍitā katapuññatanti.Thus the wise, the enlightened, praise the fund of merit already made.
