Aṇguttara Nikāya
4. Catukka Nipāta
VI. Puññābhisanda Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
VI: Flood of Merit
Sutta 55
Paṭhama Samajīvina Sutta
Well Matched (a)[1]
Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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[1][than][olds][upal][bodh] On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying among the Bhagga near Crocodile Haunt,
at Bhesakala Grove in Antelope park.[2]
Now in the forenoon the Exalted One robed himself,
and taking outer robe and bowl
set out for the dwelling of the housefather, Nakula's father.
On coming there he sat down on a seat made ready.
Then the housefather, Nakula's father,
and the housewife, Nakula's mother,
came to see the Exalted One,
and on coming to him
saluted him and sat down at one side.
So seated the housefather, Nakula's father,
said this to the Exalted One:
[70] [2][than][olds] 'Lord, ever since the housewife, Nakula's mother,
was brought home to me
when a mere lad,
she being then a mere girl,
I am not conscious of having transgressed[3] against her
even in thought,
much less in person.
Lord, we do desire to behold each other
not only in this very life
but also in the life to come.'
Then also the housewife, Nakula's mother,
said this to the Exalted One:
'Lord, ever since I,
a mere girl,
was led home to the housefather, Nakula's father,
when he was a mere lad,
I am not conscious of having transgressed against him
even in thought,
much less in person.
Lord, we do desire to behold each other
not only in this very life,
but also in the life to come.'
[Then said the Exalted One:] 'Herein, householders,
if both wife and husband
desire to behold each other
both in this very life
and in the life to come,
and both are matched in faith,
matched in virtue,
matched in generosity,
matched in wisdom,[4]
then do they behold each other
in this very life
and in the life to come.
If both, believers, self-controlled, well-spoken,
Living as dhamma bids, use loving words
One to the other, manifold the blessings
That come to wife and husband, and to them
The blessing of a pleasant life is born.
Dejected are their foes, for both are good.
So in this world, living as dhamma bids,
The pair, in goodness matched, i' the deva-world
Rejoicing win the bliss that they desire.'
[1] Samajīvino In the uddāna. At A. I, 26 this couple are reckoned as the best of lay-disciples, male and female, in 'intimate conversation.' at A. i. 401 [?] they are described as having been for 500 births parents or relatives of the Buddha, and still treat him as a son, and this conversation is there quoted. Cf. K.S. iii, 1, where the old man asks for consolation.
[2] The same places are mentioned at M. i, 95, 332; S. iv, 116. At A. iii, 295, N. is sick.
[3] Same phrase at A. iv, 66 (of Nanda's mother), with reading aticarittā (as also Comy.) for atticaritā of our text.
[4] To these four are often added suta (learning). At K.S. v, 339 these virtues conduce to Stream-winning. See below, Ch. VII, § 1.
