AssalāyanasuttaWith Assalāyana
Evaṁ me sutaṁ—I have heard ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.
Tena kho pana samayena nānāverajjakānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ pañcamattāni brāhmaṇasatāni sāvatthiyaṁ paṭivasanti kenacideva karaṇīyena.And on that occasion 500 brahmans from various provinces were staying at Sāvatthī on some business or other. Atha kho tesaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ etadahosi:The thought occurred to them, “ayaṁ kho samaṇo gotamo cātuvaṇṇiṁ suddhiṁ paññapeti.“This Gotama the contemplative prescribes purity for the four castes. Ko nu kho pahoti samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ asmiṁ vacane paṭimantetun”ti?Now who is capable of disputing with him on this statement.
Tena kho pana samayena assalāyano nāma māṇavo sāvatthiyaṁ paṭivasati daharo, vuttasiro, soḷasavassuddesiko jātiyā, tiṇṇaṁ vedānaṁ pāragū sanighaṇḍukeṭubhānaṁ sākkharappabhedānaṁ itihāsapañcamānaṁ, padako, veyyākaraṇo, lokāyatamahāpurisalakkhaṇesu anavayo.And on that occasion the brahman student Assalāyana was staying at Sāvatthī. Young, shaven-headed, sixteen years old, he was a master of the Three Vedas with their vocabularies, liturgy, phonology, etymology, & histories as a fifth; skilled in philology & grammar, he was fully versed in cosmology and in the marks of a Great Man.
Atha kho tesaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ etadahosi:The thought occurred to the brahmans, “ayaṁ kho assalāyano māṇavo sāvatthiyaṁ paṭivasati daharo, vuttasiro, soḷasavassuddesiko jātiyā, tiṇṇaṁ vedānaṁ pāragū …pe… anavayo.“This brahman student Assalāyana is staying in Sāvatthī… So kho pahoti samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ asmiṁ vacane paṭimantetun”ti.He is capable of disputing with Gotama the contemplative on this statement.”
Atha kho te brāhmaṇā yena assalāyano māṇavo tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā assalāyanaṁ māṇavaṁ etadavocuṁ:So the brahmans went to the brahman student Assalāyana and said to him,
“ayaṁ, bho assalāyana, samaṇo gotamo cātuvaṇṇiṁ suddhiṁ paññapeti.“Master Assalāyana, this Gotama the contemplative prescribes purity for the four castes.
Etu bhavaṁ assalāyano samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ asmiṁ vacane paṭimantetū”ti.
paṭimantetū”ti → patimantetunti (bj, pts1ed); paṭimantetunti (mr)Come and dispute with him on this statement.”
Evaṁ vutte, assalāyano māṇavo te brāhmaṇe etadavoca:When this was said, the brahman student Assalāyana said to the brahmans, “samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo dhammavādī;“Sirs, Gotama the contemplative is one who speaks Dhamma. dhammavādino ca pana duppaṭimantiyā bhavanti.And those who speak Dhamma are hard to dispute with. Nāhaṁ sakkomi samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ asmiṁ vacane paṭimantetun”ti.I can’t dispute with him on this statement.”
Dutiyampi kho te brāhmaṇā assalāyanaṁ māṇavaṁ etadavocuṁ:A second time.…
“ayaṁ, bho assalāyana, samaṇo gotamo cātuvaṇṇiṁ suddhiṁ paññapeti.
Etu bhavaṁ assalāyano samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ asmiṁ vacane paṭimantetu.
paṭimantetu → patimantetuṁ (bj, pts1ed); paṭimantetuṁ (mr)
Caritaṁ kho pana bhotā assalāyanena paribbājakan”ti.
Dutiyampi kho assalāyano māṇavo te brāhmaṇe etadavoca:
“samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo dhammavādī;
dhammavādino ca pana duppaṭimantiyā bhavanti.
Nāhaṁ sakkomi samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ asmiṁ vacane paṭimantetun”ti.
Tatiyampi kho te brāhmaṇā assalāyanaṁ māṇavaṁ etadavocuṁ:A third time, the brahmans said to the brahman student Assalāyana,
“ayaṁ, bho assalāyana, samaṇo gotamo cātuvaṇṇiṁ suddhiṁ paññapeti.“Master Assalāyana, this Gotama the contemplative prescribes purity for the four castes.
Etu bhavaṁ assalāyano samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ asmiṁ vacane paṭimantetu.
paṭimantetu → patimantetuṁ (bj, pts1ed); paṭimantetuṁ (mr)Come and dispute with him on this statement,
Caritaṁ kho pana bhotā assalāyanena paribbājakaṁ.for you have lived the life of a wanderer.
Mā bhavaṁ assalāyano ayuddhaparājitaṁ parājayī”ti.Don’t be defeated without being defeated in battle.”
Evaṁ vutte, assalāyano māṇavo te brāhmaṇe etadavoca:When this was said, the brahman student Assalāyana said to the brahmans, “addhā kho ahaṁ bhavanto na labhāmi.“Apparently, sirs, I don’t get leave from you (to avoid the matter by saying), Samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo dhammavādī;‘Gotama the contemplative is one who speaks Dhamma. dhammavādino ca pana duppaṭimantiyā bhavanti.And those who speak Dhamma are hard to dispute with. Nāhaṁ sakkomi samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ asmiṁ vacane paṭimantetunti.I can’t dispute with him on this statement.’ Api cāhaṁ bhavantānaṁ vacanena gamissāmī”ti.But at your bidding I will go.”
Atha kho assalāyano māṇavo mahatā brāhmaṇagaṇena saddhiṁ yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi.Then the brahman student Assalāyana went with a large group of brahmans to the Blessed One and, on arrival, exchanged courteous greetings with him. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho assalāyano māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:After an exchange of friendly greetings & courtesies, he sat to one side. As he was sitting there he said to the Blessed One:
“brāhmaṇā, bho gotama, evamāhaṁsu:“Master Gotama, the brahmans say, ‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo;‘Brahmans are the superior caste; any other caste is inferior. brāhmaṇova sukko vaṇṇo, kaṇho añño vaṇṇo;Only brahmans are the fair caste; any other caste is dark. brāhmaṇova sujjhanti, no abrāhmaṇā;Only brahmans are pure, not non-brahmans. brāhmaṇāva brahmuno puttā orasā mukhato jātā brahmajā brahmanimmitā brahmadāyādā’ti.Only brahmans are the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, heirs of Brahmā.’ Idha bhavaṁ gotamo kimāhā”ti?What does Master Gotama have to say with regard to that?”
“Dissanti kho pana, assalāyana, brāhmaṇānaṁ brāhmaṇiyo utuniyopi gabbhiniyopi vijāyamānāpi pāyamānāpi.
Dissanti → dissante (bj, sya-all, km, pts1ed)“But, Assalāyana, the brahmans’ brahman-women are plainly seen having their periods, becoming pregnant, giving birth, and nursing (their children).
Te ca brāhmaṇiyonijāva samānā evamāhaṁsu:And yet the brahmans, being born through the birth canal, say,
‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo;‘Brahmans are the superior caste; any other caste is inferior.
brāhmaṇova sukko vaṇṇo, kaṇho añño vaṇṇo;Only brahmans are the fair caste; any other caste is dark.
brāhmaṇāva sujjhanti, no abrāhmaṇā;Only brahmans are pure, not non-brahmans.
brāhmaṇāva brahmuno puttā orasā mukhato jātā brahmajā brahmanimmitā brahmadāyādā’”ti.Only brahmans are the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, heirs of Brahmā.’”
“Kiñcāpi bhavaṁ gotamo evamāha, atha khvettha brāhmaṇā evametaṁ maññanti:“Even though Master Gotama says that, still the brahmans think, ‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…‘Brahmans are the superior caste… the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, brahmadāyādā’”ti.heirs of Brahmā.’”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,“What do you think, Assalāyana? sutaṁ te: ‘yonakambojesu aññesu ca paccantimesu janapadesu dveva vaṇṇā—ayyo ceva dāso ca; ayyo hutvā dāso hoti, dāso hutvā ayyo hotī’”ti?Have you heard that in Yona & Kamboja and other outlying countries there are only two castes—masters & slaves—and that having been a master one (can) become a slave, and that having been a slave one (can) become a master?”
“Evaṁ, bho, sutaṁ taṁ me: ‘yonakambojesu aññesu ca paccantimesu janapadesu dveva vaṇṇā—ayyo ceva dāso ca; ayyo hutvā dāso hoti, dāso hutvā ayyo hotī’”ti.“Yes, Master Gotama.…”
“Ettha, assalāyana, brāhmaṇānaṁ kiṁ balaṁ, ko assāso yadettha brāhmaṇā evamāhaṁsu:“So what strength is there, Assalāyana, what assurance, when the brahmans say, ‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…‘Brahmans are the superior caste… the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, brahmadāyādā’”ti?heirs of Brahmā’?”
“Kiñcāpi bhavaṁ gotamo evamāha, atha khvettha brāhmaṇā evametaṁ maññanti:“Even though Master Gotama says that, still the brahmans think, ‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…‘Brahmans are the superior caste… the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, brahmadāyādā’”ti.heirs of Brahmā.’”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,“What do you think, Assalāyana? khattiyova nu kho pāṇātipātī adinnādāyī kāmesumicchācārī musāvādī pisuṇavāco pharusavāco samphappalāpī abhijjhālu byāpannacitto micchādiṭṭhi kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyya, no brāhmaṇo?Is it only a noble warrior who—taking life, stealing, engaging in sexual misconduct, telling lies, speaking divisively, speaking harshly, engaging in idle chatter, greedy, bearing thoughts of ill will, and holding wrong views—on the break-up of the body, after death, reappears in a plane of deprivation, a bad destination, a lower realm, hell, and not a brahman? Vessova nu kho …pe…Is it only a merchant…? suddova nu kho pāṇātipātī adinnādāyī kāmesumicchācārī musāvādī pisuṇavāco pharusavāco samphappalāpī abhijjhālu byāpannacitto micchādiṭṭhi kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyya, no brāhmaṇo”ti?Is it only a worker who—taking life, stealing, engaging in sexual misconduct, telling lies, speaking divisively, speaking harshly, engaging in idle chatter, greedy, bearing thoughts of ill will, and holding wrong views—on the break-up of the body, after death, reappears in a plane of deprivation, a bad destination, a lower realm, hell, and not a brahman?”
“No hidaṁ, bho gotama.“No, Master Gotama. Khattiyopi hi, bho gotama, pāṇātipātī adinnādāyī kāmesumicchācārī musāvādī pisuṇavāco pharusavāco samphappalāpī abhijjhālu byāpannacitto micchādiṭṭhi kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyya.Even a noble warrior.… Brāhmaṇopi hi, bho gotama …pe…Even a brahman.… vessopi hi, bho gotama …pe…Even a merchant.… suddopi hi, bho gotama …pe…Even a worker.… sabbepi hi, bho gotama, cattāro vaṇṇā pāṇātipātino adinnādāyino kāmesumicchācārino musāvādino pisuṇavācā pharusavācā samphappalāpino abhijjhālū byāpannacittā micchādiṭṭhī kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyyun”ti.(Members of) all four castes—if they take life, steal, engage in sexual misconduct, tell lies, speak divisively, speak harshly, engage in idle chatter, are greedy, bear thoughts of ill will, & hold wrong views—on the break-up of the body, after death, reappear in a plane of deprivation, a bad destination, a lower realm, hell.”
“Ettha, assalāyana, brāhmaṇānaṁ kiṁ balaṁ, ko assāso yadettha brāhmaṇā evamāhaṁsu:“So what strength is there, Assalāyana, what assurance, when the brahmans say, ‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…‘Brahmans are the superior caste… the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, brahmadāyādā’”ti?heirs of Brahmā’?”
“Kiñcāpi bhavaṁ gotamo evamāha, atha khvettha brāhmaṇā evametaṁ maññanti:“Even though Master Gotama says that, still the brahmans think, ‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…‘Brahmans are the superior caste… the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, brahmadāyādā’”ti.heirs of Brahmā.’”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,“What do you think, Assalāyana?
brāhmaṇova nu kho pāṇātipātā paṭivirato adinnādānā paṭivirato kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato musāvādā paṭivirato pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato pharusāya vācāya paṭivirato samphappalāpā paṭivirato anabhijjhālu abyāpannacitto sammādiṭṭhi kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjeyya, no khattiyo, no vesso, no suddo”ti?
no → no ca (mr)Is it only a brahman who—refraining from taking life, from stealing, from sexual misconduct, from telling lies, from speaking divisive speech, from harsh speech, & from idle chatter, not greedy, bearing no thoughts of ill-will, & holding to right view—on the break-up of the body, after death, reappears in a good destination, a heavenly world, and not a noble warrior, not a merchant, not a worker?”
“No hidaṁ, bho gotama.“No, Master Gotama. Khattiyopi hi, bho gotama, pāṇātipātā paṭivirato adinnādānā paṭivirato kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato musāvādā paṭivirato pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato pharusāya vācāya paṭivirato samphappalāpā paṭivirato anabhijjhālu abyāpannacitto sammādiṭṭhi kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjeyya.Even a noble warrior.… Brāhmaṇopi hi, bho gotama …pe…Even a brahman.… vessopi hi, bho gotama …pe…Even a merchant.… suddopi hi, bho gotama …pe…Even a worker.… sabbepi hi, bho gotama, cattāro vaṇṇā pāṇātipātā paṭiviratā adinnādānā paṭiviratā kāmesumicchācārā paṭiviratā musāvādā paṭiviratā pisuṇāya vācāya paṭiviratā pharusāya vācāya paṭiviratā samphappalāpā paṭiviratā anabhijjhālū abyāpannacittā sammādiṭṭhī kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjeyyun”ti.(Members of) all four castes—if they refrain from taking life, from stealing, from sexual misconduct, from telling lies, from speaking divisive speech, from harsh speech, & from idle chatter, are not greedy, bear no thoughts of ill-will, & hold to right view—on the break-up of the body, after death, reappear in a good destination, a heavenly world.”
“Ettha, assalāyana, brāhmaṇānaṁ kiṁ balaṁ, ko assāso yadettha brāhmaṇā evamāhaṁsu:“So what strength is there, Assalāyana, what assurance, when the brahmans say, ‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…‘Brahmans are the superior caste… the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, brahmadāyādā’”ti?heirs of Brahmā’?”
“Kiñcāpi bhavaṁ gotamo evamāha, atha khvettha brāhmaṇā evametaṁ maññanti:“Even though Master Gotama says that, still the brahmans think, ‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…‘Brahmans are the superior caste… the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, brahmadāyādā’”ti.heirs of Brahmā.’”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,“What do you think, Assalāyana? brāhmaṇova nu kho pahoti asmiṁ padese averaṁ abyābajjhaṁ mettacittaṁ bhāvetuṁ, no khattiyo, no vesso, no suddo”ti?Is it only a brahman who is capable of developing in any direction a heart of good will—free from animosity, free from ill will—and not a noble warrior, not a merchant, not a worker?”
“No hidaṁ, bho gotama.“No, Master Gotama. Khattiyopi hi, bho gotama, pahoti asmiṁ padese averaṁ abyābajjhaṁ mettacittaṁ bhāvetuṁ;Even a noble warrior.… brāhmaṇopi hi, bho gotama …Even a brahman.… vessopi hi, bho gotama …Even a merchant.… suddopi hi, bho gotama …Even a worker.… sabbepi hi, bho gotama, cattāro vaṇṇā pahonti asmiṁ padese averaṁ abyābajjhaṁ mettacittaṁ bhāvetun”ti.(Members of) all four castes are capable of developing in any direction a heart of good will—free from animosity, free from ill will.”
“Ettha, assalāyana, brāhmaṇānaṁ kiṁ balaṁ, ko assāso yadettha brāhmaṇā evamāhaṁsu:“So what strength is there, Assalāyana, what assurance, when the brahmans say, ‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…‘Brahmans are the superior caste… the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, brahmadāyādā’”ti?heirs of Brahmā’?”
“Kiñcāpi bhavaṁ gotamo evamāha, atha khvettha brāhmaṇā evametaṁ maññanti:“Even though Master Gotama says that, still the brahmans think, ‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…‘Brahmans are the superior caste… the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, brahmadāyādā’”ti.heirs of Brahmā.’”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,“What do you think, Assalāyana? brāhmaṇova nu kho pahoti sottisināniṁ ādāya nadiṁ gantvā rajojallaṁ pavāhetuṁ, no khattiyo, no vesso, no suddo”ti?Is it only a brahman who is capable of taking a loofah & bath powder, going to a river, and scrubbing off dust & dirt, and not a noble warrior, not a merchant, not a worker?”
“No hidaṁ, bho gotama.“No, Master Gotama. Khattiyopi hi, bho gotama, pahoti sottisināniṁ ādāya nadiṁ gantvā rajojallaṁ pavāhetuṁ, brāhmaṇopi hi, bho gotama …Even a noble warrior.… Even a brahman.… vessopi hi, bho gotama …Even a merchant.… suddopi hi, bho gotama …Even a worker.… sabbepi hi, bho gotama, cattāro vaṇṇā pahonti sottisināniṁ ādāya nadiṁ gantvā rajojallaṁ pavāhetun”ti.(Members of) all four castes are capable of taking a loofah & bath powder, going to a river, and scrubbing off dust & dirt.”
“Ettha, assalāyana, brāhmaṇānaṁ kiṁ balaṁ, ko assāso yadettha brāhmaṇā evamāhaṁsu:“So what strength is there, Assalāyana, what assurance, when the brahmans say, ‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…‘Brahmans are the superior caste… Only brahmans are pure, not non-brahmans. Only brahmans are the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, brahmadāyādā’”ti?heirs of Brahmā’?”
“Kiñcāpi bhavaṁ gotamo evamāha, atha khvettha brāhmaṇā evametaṁ maññanti:“Even though Master Gotama says that, still the brahmans think, ‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…‘Brahmans are the superior caste… Only brahmans are pure, not non-brahmans. Only brahmans are the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, brahmadāyādā’”ti.heirs of Brahmā.’”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,“What do you think, Assalāyana?
idha rājā khattiyo muddhāvasitto nānājaccānaṁ purisānaṁ purisasataṁ sannipāteyya:There is the case where a consecrated noble warrior king might call together 100 men of different births (and say to them),
‘āyantu bhonto ye tattha khattiyakulā brāhmaṇakulā rājaññakulā uppannā, sākassa vā sālassa vā salaḷassa vā candanassa vā padumakassa vā uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya, aggiṁ abhinibbattentu, tejo pātukarontu.
sākassa vā sālassa vā → uppannā sālassa vā (bj, pts1ed)‘Come, masters. Those of you there born from a noble warrior clan, from a brahman clan, or from a royal clan: taking an upper fire-stick of Sal wood, salaḷa wood, sandalwood, or padumaka wood, produce fire & make heat appear.
Āyantu pana bhonto ye tattha caṇḍālakulā nesādakulā venakulā rathakārakulā pukkusakulā uppannā, sāpānadoṇiyā vā sūkaradoṇiyā vā rajakadoṇiyā vā eraṇḍakaṭṭhassa vā uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya, aggiṁ abhinibbattentu, tejo pātukarontū’ti.
venakulā → veṇakulā (bj, pts1ed); veṇukulā (sya-all, km)And come, masters. Those of you there born from an outcast clan, a trapper clan, a wicker workers’ clan, a cartwrights’ clan, or a scavengers’ clan: taking an upper fire-stick from a dog’s drinking trough, from a pig’s trough, from a dustbin, or of castor-oil wood, produce fire & make heat appear.’
Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,What do you think, Assalāyana?
yo evaṁ nu kho so khattiyakulā brāhmaṇakulā rājaññakulā uppannehi sākassa vā sālassa vā salaḷassa vā candanassa vā padumakassa vā uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya aggi abhinibbatto, tejo pātukato, so eva nu khvāssa aggi accimā ceva vaṇṇavā ca pabhassaro ca, tena ca sakkā agginā aggikaraṇīyaṁ kātuṁ;
vaṇṇavā → vaṇṇimā (sya-all, km, pts1ed, mr) | ceva → ca (bj, pts1ed) | evaṁ nu kho so → yo ca nu kho (sya-all, km, pts1ed, mr)Would the fire made by those born from a noble warrior clan, a brahman clan, or a royal clan—who had produced fire & made heat appear by taking an upper fire-stick of Sal wood, salaḷa wood, sandalwood, or padumaka wood—be the only one with flame, color, & radiance, able to do whatever a fire might be needed to do?
yo pana so caṇḍālakulā nesādakulā venakulā rathakārakulā pukkusakulā uppannehi sāpānadoṇiyā vā sūkaradoṇiyā vā rajakadoṇiyā vā eraṇḍakaṭṭhassa vā uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya aggi abhinibbatto, tejo pātukato svāssa aggi na ceva accimā na ca vaṇṇavā na ca pabhassaro, na ca tena sakkā agginā aggikaraṇīyaṁ kātun”ti?
svāssa → so cassa (bj, pts1ed); sopassa (sya-all)And would the fire made by those born from an outcast clan, a trapper clan, a wicker workers’ clan, a cartwrights’ clan, or a scavengers’ clan—who had produced fire & made heat appear by taking an upper fire-stick from a dog’s drinking trough, from a pig’s trough, from a dustbin, or of castor-oil wood—be without flame, color, & radiance, unable to do what a fire might be needed to do?”
“No hidaṁ, bho gotama.“No, Master Gotama.
Yopi hi so, bho gotama, khattiyakulā brāhmaṇakulā rājaññakulā uppannehi sākassa vā sālassa vā salaḷassa vā candanassa vā padumakassa vā uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya aggi abhinibbatto, tejo pātukato svāssa aggi accimā ceva vaṇṇavā ca pabhassaro ca, tena ca sakkā agginā aggikaraṇīyaṁ kātuṁ;
Yopi hi so → yo so (bj, pts1ed); yopi so (sya-all)The fire made by those born from a noble warrior clan, a brahman clan, or a royal clan… would have flame, color, & radiance, able to do whatever a fire might be needed to do.
yopi so caṇḍālakulā nesādakulā venakulā rathakārakulā pukkusakulā uppannehi sāpānadoṇiyā vā sūkaradoṇiyā vā rajakadoṇiyā vā eraṇḍakaṭṭhassa vā uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya aggi abhinibbatto, tejo pātukato, svāssa aggi accimā ceva vaṇṇavā ca pabhassaro ca, tena ca sakkā agginā aggikaraṇīyaṁ kātuṁ.And the fire made by those born from an outcast clan, a trapper clan, a wicker workers’ clan, a cartwrights’ clan, or a scavengers’ clan… would have flame, color, & radiance, able to do whatever a fire might be needed to do.
Sabbopi hi, bho gotama, aggi accimā ceva vaṇṇavā ca pabhassaro ca, sabbenapi sakkā agginā aggikaraṇīyaṁ kātun”ti.For all fire has flame, color, & radiance, and is able to do whatever a fire might be needed to do.”
“Ettha, assalāyana, brāhmaṇānaṁ kiṁ balaṁ, ko assāso yadettha brāhmaṇā evamāhaṁsu:“So what strength is there, Assalāyana, what assurance, when the brahmans say, ‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo;‘Brahmans are the superior caste… brāhmaṇova sukko vaṇṇo, kaṇho añño vaṇṇo;Only brahmans are pure, not non-brahmans. brāhmaṇāva sujjhanti, no abrāhmaṇā; brāhmaṇāva brahmuno puttā orasā mukhato jātā brahmajā brahmanimmitā brahmadāyādā’”ti?Only brahmans are the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, heirs of Brahmā’?”
“Kiñcāpi bhavaṁ gotamo evamāha, atha khvettha brāhmaṇā evametaṁ maññanti:“Even though Master Gotama says that, still the brahmans think, ‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…‘Brahmans are the superior caste… Only brahmans are pure, not non-brahmans. Only brahmans are the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, brahmadāyādā’”ti.heirs of Brahmā.’”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,“What do you think, Assalāyana? idha khattiyakumāro brāhmaṇakaññāya saddhiṁ saṁvāsaṁ kappeyya, tesaṁ saṁvāsamanvāya putto jāyetha;There is the case where a noble warrior youth might cohabit with a brahman maiden, and from their cohabitation a son would be born. yo so khattiyakumārena brāhmaṇakaññāya putto uppanno, siyā so mātupi sadiso pitupi sadiso, ‘khattiyo’tipi vattabbo ‘brāhmaṇo’tipi vattabbo”ti?Would the son born from the noble warrior youth and brahman maiden be like the father and like the mother? Should it be called a noble warrior & a brahman?”
“Yo so, bho gotama, khattiyakumārena brāhmaṇakaññāya putto uppanno, siyā so mātupi sadiso pitupi sadiso, ‘khattiyo’tipi vattabbo ‘brāhmaṇo’tipi vattabbo”ti.“Yes, Master Gotama.…”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,“What do you think, Assalāyana? idha brāhmaṇakumāro khattiyakaññāya saddhiṁ saṁvāsaṁ kappeyya, tesaṁ saṁvāsamanvāya putto jāyetha;There is the case where a brahman youth might cohabit with a noble warrior maiden, and from their cohabitation a son would be born. yo so brāhmaṇakumārena khattiyakaññāya putto uppanno, siyā so mātupi sadiso pitupi sadiso, ‘khattiyo’tipi vattabbo ‘brāhmaṇo’tipi vattabbo”ti?Would the son born from the brahman youth and noble warrior maiden be like the father and like the mother? Should it be called a noble warrior & a brahman?”
“Yo so, bho gotama, brāhmaṇakumārena khattiyakaññāya putto uppanno, siyā so mātupi sadiso pitupi sadiso, ‘khattiyo’tipi vattabbo ‘brāhmaṇo’tipi vattabbo”ti.“Yes, Master Gotama.…”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,“What do you think, Assalāyana?
idha vaḷavaṁ gadrabhena sampayojeyyuṁ, tesaṁ sampayogamanvāya kisoro jāyetha;
sampayojeyyuṁ → saṁyojeyya (mr)There is the case where a mare might mate with a donkey, and from their mating a foal would be born.
yo so vaḷavāya gadrabhena kisoro uppanno, siyā so mātupi sadiso pitupi sadiso, ‘asso’tipi vattabbo ‘gadrabho’tipi vattabbo”ti?Would the foal born from the mare & the donkey be like the father and like the mother? Should it be called a horse & a donkey?”
“Kuṇḍañhi so, bho gotama, assataro hoti.
Kuṇḍañhi so → vekurañjāya hi so (bj, pts1ed); so kumāraṇḍupi so (sya-all, km); vekulajo hi so (?)“Master Gotama, from the mixed breeding it would be a mule.
Idaṁ hissa, bho gotama, nānākaraṇaṁ passāmi;Here I see that it [the mixed breeding] makes a difference,
amutra ca panesānaṁ na kiñci nānākaraṇaṁ passāmī”ti.but there [in the other two cases] I don’t see that it makes a difference.”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,“What do you think, Assalāyana? idhāssu dve māṇavakā bhātaro sodariyā, eko ajjhāyako upanīto eko anajjhāyako anupanīto.There is the case where there might be two brahman-student brothers, born of the same mother: one learned & initiated, the other not learned & uninitiated. Kamettha brāhmaṇā paṭhamaṁ bhojeyyuṁ saddhe vā thālipāke vā yaññe vā pāhune vā”ti?Which of the two would the brahmans serve first at a funeral feast, a milk-rice offering, a sacrifice, or a feast for guests?”
“Yo so, bho gotama, māṇavako ajjhāyako upanīto tamettha brāhmaṇā paṭhamaṁ bhojeyyuṁ saddhe vā thālipāke vā yaññe vā pāhune vā.“The brahman student who was learned & initiated, Master Gotama.… Kiñhi, bho gotama, anajjhāyake anupanīte dinnaṁ mahapphalaṁ bhavissatī”ti?For what great fruit would there be for what is given to one who is not learned & uninitiated?”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,“What do you think, Assalāyana? idhāssu dve māṇavakā bhātaro sodariyā, eko ajjhāyako upanīto dussīlo pāpadhammo, eko anajjhāyako anupanīto sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo.There is the case where there might be two brahman-student brothers, born of the same mother: one learned & initiated (but) unvirtuous & of evil character, the other not learned & uninitiated, (but) virtuous & of fine character. Kamettha brāhmaṇā paṭhamaṁ bhojeyyuṁ saddhe vā thālipāke vā yaññe vā pāhune vā”ti?Which of the two would the brahmans serve first at a funeral feast, a milk-rice offering, a sacrifice, or a feast for guests?”
“Yo so, bho gotama, māṇavako anajjhāyako anupanīto sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo tamettha brāhmaṇā paṭhamaṁ bhojeyyuṁ saddhe vā thālipāke vā yaññe vā pāhune vā.“The brahman student who was not learned & uninitiated, (but) virtuous & of fine character, Master Gotama.… Kiñhi, bho gotama, dussīle pāpadhamme dinnaṁ mahapphalaṁ bhavissatī”ti?For what great fruit would there be for what is given to one who is unvirtuous & of evil character?”
“Pubbe kho tvaṁ, assalāyana, jātiṁ agamāsi;“First, Assalāyana, you went by birth. jātiṁ gantvā mante agamāsi;Then, having gone by birth, you went by mantras. mante gantvā tape agamāsi;Then, having gone by mantras, putting them both aside, tape gantvā cātuvaṇṇiṁ suddhiṁ paccāgato, yamahaṁ paññapemī”ti.you have come around to the purity of the four castes that I prescribe.” Evaṁ vutte, assalāyano māṇavo tuṇhībhūto maṅkubhūto pattakkhandho adhomukho pajjhāyanto appaṭibhāno nisīdi.When this was said, the brahman student Assalāyana sat silent, abashed, his shoulders drooping, his head down, brooding, at a loss for words.
Atha kho bhagavā assalāyanaṁ māṇavaṁ tuṇhībhūtaṁ maṅkubhūtaṁ pattakkhandhaṁ adhomukhaṁ pajjhāyantaṁ appaṭibhānaṁ viditvā assalāyanaṁ māṇavaṁ etadavoca:Then the Blessed One—seeing that the brahman student Assalāyana was sitting silent, abashed, his shoulders drooping, his head down, brooding, at a loss for words—said to him,
“bhūtapubbaṁ, assalāyana, sattannaṁ brāhmaṇisīnaṁ araññāyatane paṇṇakuṭīsu sammantānaṁ evarūpaṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ uppannaṁ hoti:“Once, Assalāyana, this evil viewpoint arose in the seven brahman seers as they were consulting together in leaf huts in the wilderness: ‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …‘Brahmans are the superior caste; any other caste is inferior. pe…Only brahmans are the fair caste; any other caste is dark. Only brahmans are pure, not non-brahmans. brahmadāyādā’ti.Only brahmans are the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, heirs of Brahmā.’
Assosi kho, assalāyana, asito devalo isi:Then the seer Devala the Dark heard,
‘sattannaṁ kira brāhmaṇisīnaṁ araññāyatane paṇṇakuṭīsu sammantānaṁ evarūpaṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ uppannaṁ—‘This evil viewpoint has arisen in the seven brahman seers as they are consulting together in leaf huts in the wilderness:
brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo …pe…‘Brahmans are the superior caste; any other caste is inferior.…
brahmadāyādā’ti.Only brahmans are the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, heirs of Brahmā.’
Atha kho, assalāyana, asito devalo isi kesamassuṁ kappetvā mañjiṭṭhavaṇṇāni dussāni nivāsetvā paṭaliyo upāhanā āruhitvā jātarūpamayaṁ daṇḍaṁ gahetvā sattannaṁ brāhmaṇisīnaṁ patthaṇḍile pāturahosi.
paṭaliyo → aṭaliyo (bj, pts1ed); agaliyo (sya-all, km)So, arranging his hair & beard, putting on crimson garments, wearing multi-layered sandals, and carrying a staff made of gold, he appeared in the courtyard of the seven brahman seers.
Atha kho, assalāyana, asito devalo isi sattannaṁ brāhmaṇisīnaṁ patthaṇḍile caṅkamamāno evamāha:Then he walked back & forth in the courtyard of the seven brahman seers saying,
‘handa ko nu kho ime bhavanto brāhmaṇisayo gatā;
gatā → gantā (sya-all, km, mr)“Well, now, where have these masters, the brahman seers, gone?
handa ko nu kho ime bhavanto brāhmaṇisayo gatā’ti?Well, now, where have these masters, the brahman seers, gone?”
Atha kho, assalāyana, sattannaṁ brāhmaṇisīnaṁ etadahosi:“Then the seven brahman seers said to the seer Devala the Dark, ‘ko nāyaṁ gāmaṇḍalarūpo viya sattannaṁ brāhmaṇisīnaṁ patthaṇḍile caṅkamamāno evamāha:“Now who is this, walking back & forth in the courtyard of the seven brahman seers like a village lout, saying, “handa ko nu kho ime bhavanto brāhmaṇisayo gatā;“Well, now, where have these masters, the brahman seers, gone? handa ko nu kho ime bhavanto brāhmaṇisayo gatāti?Well, now, where have these masters, the brahman seers, gone?” Handa naṁ abhisapāmā”’ti.Let’s curse him!’
Atha kho, assalāyana, satta brāhmaṇisayo asitaṁ devalaṁ isiṁ abhisapiṁsu:So the seven brahman seers cursed the seer Devala the Dark:
‘bhasmā, vasala, hohi;
vasala → capalī (sya-all, km); vasalī (pts1ed); vasali (mr)“Be ashes, dribble-spit!
bhasmā, vasala, hohī’ti.Be ashes, dribble-spit! Be ashes, dribble-spit!”
Yathā yathā kho, assalāyana, satta brāhmaṇisayo asitaṁ devalaṁ isiṁ abhisapiṁsu tathā tathā asito devalo isi abhirūpataro ceva hoti dassanīyataro ca pāsādikataro ca.But the more they cursed him, the more beautiful, good-looking, & inspiring he became.
Atha kho, assalāyana, sattannaṁ brāhmaṇisīnaṁ etadahosi:Then the thought occurred to the seven brahman seers, ‘moghaṁ vata no tapo, aphalaṁ brahmacariyaṁ.‘Our asceticism is in vain! Our holy-life is fruitless! Mayañhi pubbe yaṁ abhisapāma—For before, whenever we cursed anyone, bhasmā, vasala, hohi;“Be ashes, dribble-spit!” bhasmā, vasala, hohīti bhasmāva bhavati ekacco.he would always become ashes. Imaṁ pana mayaṁ yathā yathā abhisapāma tathā tathā abhirūpataro ceva hoti dassanīyataro ca pāsādikataro cā’ti.But the more we curse this one, the more beautiful, good-looking, & inspiring he becomes!’
‘Na bhavantānaṁ moghaṁ tapo, nāphalaṁ brahmacariyaṁ.“‘Masters, your asceticism is not in vain, and your holy-life not fruitless. Iṅgha bhavanto, yo mayi manopadoso taṁ pajahathā’ti.Please, masters, abandon your hatred toward me.’
‘Yo bhavati manopadoso taṁ pajahāma.“‘We abandon our hatred toward you, master. Ko nu bhavaṁ hotī’ti?Who are you?’
‘Suto nu bhavataṁ—“‘Have you heard of asito devalo isī’ti?the seer Devala the Dark?’
‘So khvāhaṁ, bho, homī’ti.“‘I am he.’ Atha kho, assalāyana, satta brāhmaṇisayo asitaṁ devalaṁ isiṁ abhivādetuṁ upakkamiṁsu.“Then the seven brahman seers approached him to bow down to him,
Atha kho, assalāyana, asito devalo isi satta brāhmaṇisayo etadavoca:and he said to them, ‘sutaṁ metaṁ, bho, sattannaṁ kira brāhmaṇisīnaṁ araññāyatane paṇṇakuṭīsu sammantānaṁ evarūpaṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ uppannaṁ—‘I have heard that this evil viewpoint has arisen in the seven brahman seers as they are consulting together in leaf huts in the wilderness: brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo;“Brahmans are the superior caste; any other caste is inferior.… brāhmaṇova sukko vaṇṇo, kaṇho añño vaṇṇo; brāhmaṇāva sujjhanti, no abrāhmaṇā; brāhmaṇāva brahmuno puttā orasā mukhato jātā brahmajā brahmanimmitā brahmadāyādā’ti.Only brahmans are the sons & offspring of Brahmā: born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, heirs of Brahmā.”’
‘Evaṁ, bho’.“That is so, master.’
‘Jānanti pana bhonto—“‘But do you know, masters,
yā janikā mātā brāhmaṇaṁyeva agamāsi, no abrāhmaṇan’ti?
janikā mātā → janimātā (sya-all, km); janīmātā (pts1ed)if the mother who bore you went only with a brahman, and not with a non-brahman?’
‘No hidaṁ, bho’.“‘No, master.’
‘Jānanti pana bhonto—“‘And do you know
yā janikāmātu mātā yāva sattamā mātumātāmahayugā brāhmaṇaṁyeva agamāsi, no abrāhmaṇan’ti?
janikāmātu → janimātu (sya-all, km); janīmātu (pts1ed)if the mothers of the mother who bore you—back seven generations of mothers—went only with brahmans, and not with non-brahmans?’
‘No hidaṁ, bho’.“‘No, master.’
‘Jānanti pana bhonto—“‘And do you know
yo janako pitā brāhmaṇiṁyeva agamāsi, no abrāhmaṇin’ti?
janako pitā → janipitā (sya-all, km); janīpitā (pts1ed)if the father who sired you went only with a brahman woman, and not with a non-brahman woman?’
‘No hidaṁ, bho’.“‘No, master.’
‘Jānanti pana bhonto—“‘And do you know
yo janakapitu pitā yāva sattamā pitupitāmahayugā brāhmaṇiṁyeva agamāsi, no abrāhmaṇin’ti?
janakapitu → janipitu (sya-all, km); janīpitu (pts1ed)if the fathers of the father who bore you—back seven generations of fathers—went only with brahman women, and not with non-brahman women?’
‘No hidaṁ, bho’.“‘No, master.’
‘Jānanti pana bhonto—“‘Do you know yathā gabbhassa avakkanti hotī’ti?how there is the descent of an embryo?’
‘Jānāma mayaṁ, bho—“‘Yes, master, we know yathā gabbhassa avakkanti hoti.how there is the descent of an embryo. Idha mātāpitaro ca sannipatitā honti, mātā ca utunī hoti, gandhabbo ca paccupaṭṭhito hoti; evaṁ tiṇṇaṁ sannipātā gabbhassa avakkanti hotī’ti.There is the case where the mother & father have come together, the mother is fertile, and a gandhabba [the being about to be reborn] is standing present. The coming together of these three is the descent of the embryo.’
‘Jānanti pana bhonto—“‘But do you know
taggha, so gandhabbo khattiyo vā brāhmaṇo vā vesso vā suddo vā’ti?
taggha → yagghe (bj, sya-all, km, pts1ed)for sure whether the gandhabba is a noble warrior, a brahman, a merchant, or a worker?’
‘Na mayaṁ, bho, jānāma—“‘No, master.’ taggha so gandhabbo khattiyo vā brāhmaṇo vā vesso vā suddo vā’ti.
‘Evaṁ sante, bho, jānātha—“‘That being the case, do you know ke tumhe hothā’ti?who you are?’
‘Evaṁ sante, bho, na mayaṁ jānāma—“‘That being the case, master, we don’t know ke mayaṁ homā’ti.who we are.’
Te hi nāma, assalāyana, satta brāhmaṇisayo asitena devalena isinā sake jātivāde samanuyuñjīyamānā samanuggāhīyamānā samanubhāsīyamānā na sampāyissanti;“Now, Assalāyana, when those seven brahman seers couldn’t defend their own birth-statement when interrogated, pressed, & rebuked by the seer Devala the Dark, kiṁ pana tvaṁ etarahi mayā sakasmiṁ jātivāde samanuyuñjīyamāno samanuggāhīyamāno samanubhāsīyamāno sampāyissasi, yesaṁ tvaṁ sācariyako na puṇṇo dabbigāho”ti.how can you now defend your own birth-statement when interrogated, pressed, & rebuked by me—you, their lineage holder, but not (the equal of) Puṇṇa, their ladle holder?”
Evaṁ vutte, assalāyano māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:When this was said, the brahman student Assalāyana said to the Blessed One: “abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe…“Magnificent, Master Gotama! Magnificent! Just as if he were to place upright what was overturned, to reveal what was hidden, to show the way to one who was lost, or to carry a lamp into the dark so that those with eyes could see forms, in the same way has Master Gotama—through many lines of reasoning—made the Dhamma clear. upāsakaṁ maṁ bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.I go to Master Gotama for refuge, to the Dhamma, and to the Saṅgha of monks. May Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone to him for refuge, from this day forward, for life.”
