Aggikasutta

Saṁyutta Nikāya 7.8

Linked Discourses 7.8

1. Arahantavagga

1. The Perfected Ones

Aggikasutta

With Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.

Tena kho pana samayena aggikabhāradvājassa brāhmaṇassa sappinā pāyaso sannihito hoti:

Now at that time ghee and milk-rice had been set out for the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper, who thought,

“aggiṁ juhissāmi, aggihuttaṁ paricarissāmī”ti.

“I will serve the sacred flame! I will perform the fire sacrifice!”

Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya rājagahaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.

Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Rājagaha for alms.

Rājagahe sapadānaṁ piṇḍāya caramāno yena aggikabhāradvājassa brāhmaṇassa nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.

Wandering indiscriminately for almsfood in Rājagaha, he approached Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper’s home and stood to one side.

Addasā kho aggikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ piṇḍāya ṭhitaṁ.

Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper saw him standing for alms

Disvāna bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

and addressed him in verse:

“Tīhi vijjāhi sampanno,

“One who’s accomplished in the three knowledges,

jātimā sutavā bahū;

of good birth and ample learning,

Vijjācaraṇasampanno,

accomplished in knowledge and conduct

somaṁ bhuñjeyya pāyasan”ti.

may enjoy this milk-rice.”

“Bahumpi palapaṁ jappaṁ,

“Even one who mutters many prayers

na jaccā hoti brāhmaṇo;

is no brahmin by birth

Antokasambu saṅkiliṭṭho,

if they’re filthy and corrupt within,

kuhanāparivārito.

with a following gained by fawning.

Pubbenivāsaṁ yo vedī,

One who knows their past lives,

saggāpāyañca passati;

sees heaven and places of loss,

Atho jātikkhayaṁ patto,

and has attained the ending of rebirth,

abhiññāvosito muni.

is a sage of perfect insight.

Etāhi tīhi vijjāhi,

Because of these three knowledges

tevijjo hoti brāhmaṇo;

a brahmin is a master of the three knowledges.

Vijjācaraṇasampanno,

Accomplished in knowledge and conduct,

somaṁ bhuñjeyya pāyasan”ti.

they may enjoy this milk-rice.”

“Bhuñjatu bhavaṁ gotamo.

“May the worthy Gotama eat!

Brāhmaṇo bhavan”ti.

The worthy one is a brahmin.”

“Gāthābhigītaṁ me abhojaneyyaṁ,

“Food enchanted by a verse isn’t fit for me to eat.

Sampassataṁ brāhmaṇa nesa dhammo;

That’s not the principle of those who see, brahmin.

Gāthābhigītaṁ panudanti buddhā,

The Buddhas cast aside things enchanted with verses.

Dhamme sati brāhmaṇa vuttiresā.

Since there is such a principle, brahmin,
that’s how they live.

Aññena ca kevalinaṁ mahesiṁ,

Serve with other food and drink

Khīṇāsavaṁ kukkuccavūpasantaṁ;

the consummate one, the great seer,

Annena pānena upaṭṭhahassu,

with defilements ended and remorse stilled.

Khettañhi taṁ puññapekkhassa hotī”ti.

For he is the field for the seeker of merit.”

Evaṁ vutte, aggikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper said to the Buddha,

“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe…

“Excellent, worthy Gotama! …” …

aññataro ca panāyasmā aggikabhāradvājo arahataṁ ahosīti.

And Venerable Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper became one of the perfected.