Pañcapubbanimittasutta

Itivuttaka 83

So It Was Said 83

Tikanipāta

The Book of the Threes

Catutthavagga

Chapter Four

Pañcapubbanimittasutta

Five Harbingers

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“Yadā, bhikkhave, devo devakāyā cavanadhammo hoti, pañcassa pubbanimittāni pātubhavanti—

“Mendicants, when a god is due to pass away from the realm of the gods, five harbingers appear.

mālā milāyanti, vatthāni kilissanti, kacchehi sedā muccanti, kāye dubbaṇṇiyaṁ okkamati, sake devo devāsane nābhiramatīti.

Their flower-garlands wither; their clothes become soiled; they sweat from the armpits; their physical appearance deteriorates; and they no longer delight in their heavenly throne.

Tamenaṁ, bhikkhave, devā ‘cavanadhammo ayaṁ devaputto’ti iti viditvā tīhi vācāhi anumodenti:

When the other gods know that that godling is due to pass away, they wish them well in three ways:

‘ito, bho, sugatiṁ gaccha.

‘Sir, may you go from here to a good place!

Sugatiṁ gantvā suladdhalābhaṁ labha.

When you have gone to a good place, may you be blessed with good fortune!

Suladdhalābhaṁ labhitvā suppatiṭṭhito bhavāhī’”ti.

When you have been blessed with good fortune, may you become well grounded!’”

Evaṁ vutte, aññataro bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

When he said this, one of the mendicants said to the Buddha,

“kiṁ nu kho, bhante, devānaṁ sugatigamanasaṅkhātaṁ.

“Sir, what do the gods reckon to be going to a good place?

Kiñca, bhante, devānaṁ suladdhalābhasaṅkhātaṁ.

What do they reckon to be blessed with good fortune?

Kiṁ pana, bhante, devānaṁ suppatiṭṭhitasaṅkhātan”ti?

What do they reckon to become well grounded?”

“Manussattaṁ kho, bhikkhu, devānaṁ sugatigamanasaṅkhātaṁ.

“It is human existence, mendicant, that the gods reckon to be going to a good place.

Yaṁ manussabhūto samāno tathāgatappavedite dhammavinaye saddhaṁ paṭilabhati;

When a human being gains faith in the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One,

idaṁ kho, bhikkhu, devānaṁ suladdhalābhasaṅkhātaṁ.

that is what the gods reckon to be blessed with good fortune.

Sā kho panassa saddhā niviṭṭhā hoti mūlajātā patiṭṭhitā daḷhā asaṁhāriyā samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā devena vā mārena vā brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmiṁ;

When that faith in the Realized One is settled, rooted, and planted deep; when it’s strong and can’t be shifted by any ascetic or brahmin or god or Māra or divinity or by anyone in the world,

idaṁ kho, bhikkhu, devānaṁ suppatiṭṭhitasaṅkhātan”ti.

that is what the gods reckon to become well grounded.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca.

The Buddha spoke this matter.

Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

On this it is said:

“Yadā devo devakāyā,

“When, with the fading of life,

cavati āyusaṅkhayā;

a god passes from the realm of the gods,

Tayo saddā niccharanti,

the gods utter three cries

devānaṁ anumodataṁ.

of well-wishing:

‘Ito bho sugatiṁ gaccha,

‘Go, worthy sir, from here to a good place,

manussānaṁ sahabyataṁ;

in the company of humans.

Manussabhūto saddhamme,

As a human being, gain supreme faith

labha saddhaṁ anuttaraṁ.

in the true teaching.

Sā te saddhā niviṭṭhassa,

May that faith of yours be settled,

mūlajātā patiṭṭhitā;

with roots planted deep,

Yāvajīvaṁ asaṁhīrā,

unfaltering all life long

saddhamme suppavedite.

in the true teaching so well proclaimed.

Kāyaduccaritaṁ hitvā,

Having given up bad conduct

vacīduccaritāni ca;

by way of body,

Manoduccaritaṁ hitvā,

speech, and mind,

yañcaññaṁ dosasañhitaṁ.

and whatever else is corrupt;

Kāyena kusalaṁ katvā,

and having done much good,

vācāya kusalaṁ bahuṁ;

by way of body,

Manasā kusalaṁ katvā,

speech, and mind,

appamāṇaṁ nirūpadhiṁ.

limitless, free of attachments;

Tato opadhikaṁ puññaṁ,

then, having made much worldly merit

katvā dānena taṁ bahuṁ;

by giving gifts,

Aññepi macce saddhamme,

establish other colleagues

brahmacariye nivesaya’.

in the true teaching, the spiritual life.’

Imāya anukampāya,

It is due to such sympathy

devā devaṁ yadā vidū;

that when the gods know a god

Cavantaṁ anumodenti,

is due to pass away, they wish them well:

ehi deva punappunan”ti.

‘Come back, god, again and again!’”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.

Catutthaṁ.