Aṇguttara Nikāya
Catukka Nipāta
VI: Puññābhisanda Vagga

The Book of the Fours

Sutta 55

Sama-jīvī Suttaṃ

Matched^[1] Lives

Translated from the Pāḷi
by
Michael M. Olds

 

---

 

[1][pts][than][upal][bodh] I hear tell:

Once upon a time, Bhagava, Bhagga-land residing, Crock-hill, Dark-Terror-woods, Deer-Park.

There then, The Lucky Man, having set out at an earlier time taking bowl and robes, came to the home of the housefather, Nakula's Father.

Having arrived, he sat on the seat made ready.^[2]

There then the housefather, Nakula's Father
and the housemother, Nakula's Mother
came into the presence of The Lucky Man.

Having approached Bhagava and given salutation,
they took seats to one side.

Seated to one side then,
Nakula's father said this to Bhagava:

[2][pts][than] "Ever since I, bhante, when young,
brought the young housemother, Nakula's Mother,
into my family,
I have not come upon knowledge^[3]
of the housemother, Nakula's Mother,
having transgressed even in mind,
how then in body?

May we hope, Bhante,
that as in this visible thing we see one another,
in the future state also
we will see one another?"

At this point then,
the housemother Nakula's Mother
said this to The Lucky Man:

"Ever since I, bhante, when young,
was brought by the young housefather, Nakula's Father,
into his family,
I have not come upon knowledge
of the housefather, Nakula's Father,
having transgressed even in mind,
how then in body?

May we hope, Bhante,
that as in this visible thing we see one another,
in the future state also
we will see one another?"

"Housefathers who would form the intent
that as in this visible thing
both husband and wife see one another,
in the future state also
they will see one another,
should both be matched in faith,
matched in ethical culture,
matched in generosity,
matched in wisdom.

Then, as in this visible thing
both husband and wife see one another,
in the future state also
they will see one another."

 

§

 

Both of a faith, well-spoken,
and of a perception of the Dhamma life,
then lovingly do wife and husband to one-another speak.

Abundant the domestic bliss arising
Unhappy are made their enemies,
when both are in ethics matched.

Here progressing matched in ethical development,
together they delight in godly-realms,
rejoicing in pleasures in due course.

 

---

^[1] Sama. sa = one, ma = make; matched, equal, level, even. Bhk. Thanissaro goes to 'in tune'; Bhante Punnaji to 'harmonious'.

^[2] Paññatte. PED: pointed out, made known, ordered, designed, appointed, ordained ... Esp. frequent in ster. formula paññatte āsane nisīdi he sat down on the appointed (i.e. special) chair (seat) D I.109, 125, 148; S I.212; Dh 148; SnA 267; PvA 16, 23, 61.

^[3] Nābhijānāmi. N'come-upon-knowledge. Uncovered, discovered, found. but PED: Abhijānāti [abhi + jñā] to know by experience, to know fully or thoroughly, to recognize, know of, to be conscious or aware of.