Aṇguttara-Nikāya
Pañcaka-Nipāta
IV. Sumanā Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fives
IV: Sumanā
Sutta 39
Putta Suttaṃ
They Desire a Son
Translated by E. M. Hare
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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Once the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
'Yes, lord,' they replied; and the Exalted One said:
'Seeing[1] five things, monks,
parents desire a son born in the family.
What five?
He that is holpen
he will help us;
for us he will do what must be done;
long will he keep up traditions;
worthily possess his heritage;
and make offerings to the petas when we are dead.
Monks, seeing these five things,
parents desire a son born in the family.
Wise folk who see these five desire a son:
Whoso is holpen, he will help; for us
He'll work, long the traditions keep,[2] fulfil
His heritage and peta offerings make —
Seeing these things the wise desire a son.
And the good and prudent, grateful and beholden,[3]
[36] Cherish their parents, mindful[4] of the past;
They work for them as tho' it were a favour.
Who hearkens to instruction, holpen, helps,[5]
A son like that is praiseworthy indeed.'
[1] This sutta is quoted at Pts. of Contr. (the gāthā trsl. there is somewhat expanded). The five also recur at D. iii, 189 (trsl. omits fifth item).
[2] Tiṭṭhe. S.e. ṭhassati.
[3] Kataññū katavedino; see G.8. i, 78.
[4] Anussaraṃ. Comy. explains: ... anussarantā.
[5] Bhata-posī. Comy. yehi bhato tesaṃ posako.
