Aṇguttara Nikāya
IV. Catukka Nipāta
II. Cara Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
Chapter II: Deportment
Sutta 13
Samādhibhāvanā Sutta
Effort
Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.
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[1][olds][bodh] Monks, there are these four right efforts.[1]
What four?
Herein a monk generates desire for the non-arising of evil, unprofitable states that have not yet arisen.
He makes an effort, sets going energy, he lays hold of and exerts his mind (to this end).
He generates desire for the abandoning of evil, unprofitable states that have arisen.
He makes an effort, sets going energy, he lays hold of and exerts his mind (to this end).
He generates desire for the arising of profitable states not yet arisen.
He makes an effort, sets going energy, he lays hold of and exerts his mind (to this end).
He generates desire for the persisting, for the non-confusion, for the more-becoming, for the increase, cultivation and fulfillment of profitable states that have arisen.
He makes an effort, sets going energy, he lays hold of and exerts his mind (to this end).
These, monks, are the four right efforts.
By right exertion they have conquered Mara's realm.[2]
Freed, they have passed beyond the fear of birth and death:
Those happy ones have vanquished Mara and his host
And, from all power of Namuci [Not Enough, another name for Mara] escaping, are in bliss.[3]
[1] The four sammappadhānāni, described at D. ii, 120; M. ii, 11 and elsewhere [cf. VibhA. 291 ff.] and called 'co-factors of struggling,' K.S. v, 173, 239 and infra, vii, § 9. Samma = sundara, uttama, paripuṇṇa. Comy.
[2] Text Māradheyyādhibhuno; Sinh. text -abhibhūtā.
[3] Comy. compares gāthas at S. iii, 83, sukhino vata arahanto, etc. Namuchi, a name for Māra. Comy. on S. v, 1 explains it as na-muñcati, 'does not let one go.'
