Mittasutta

Saṁyutta Nikāya 1.53

Linked Discourses 1.53

6. Jarāvagga

6. Old Age

Mittasutta

A Friend

“Kiṁsu pavasato mittaṁ,

“Who’s your friend while journeying?

kiṁsu mittaṁ sake ghare;

Who’s your friend at home?

Kiṁ mittaṁ atthajātassa,

Who’s your friend in time of need?

kiṁ mittaṁ samparāyikan”ti.

Who’s your friend in lives to come?”

“Sattho pavasato mittaṁ,

“A caravan is your friend while journeying.

mātā mittaṁ sake ghare;

Mother is your friend at home.

Sahāyo atthajātassa,

An ally in time of need

hoti mittaṁ punappunaṁ;

is a friend time and again.

Sayaṅkatāni puññāni,

But the good deeds you’ve done yourself—

taṁ mittaṁ samparāyikan”ti.

that’s your friend in lives to come.”