Saṃyutta Nikāya
II. Nidāna Vagga
21. Bhikkhu Saṃyutta
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
II. The Book Called the Nidāna-Vagga
Containing Kindred sayings on Cause
and Other Subjects
21. Kindred Sayings about Brethren
Sutta 7
Visākha Pañcāli-Putta Suttaṃ
Visākha
Translated by Mrs. Rhys Davids
Assisted by F. L. Woodward
Originally Published by
The Pali Text Society
Public Domain
The Exalted One was once staying at Vesālī
at the Great Grove in the Gabled Hall.
[2] Now at that time the venerable Visākha of the Pañcālans[1]
was in the meeting-hall
instructing,
inciting,
enlightening,
and inspiring the brethren
with pious discourse,
with urbane speech,
well articulated,
without hoarseness,
expounding the meaning,
relevant,
unworldly.[2]
[3] Then the Exalted One,
when he had risen from meditation at eventide,
went to the meeting-hall
and sat down on the seat prepared.
[4] So seated he addressed the brethren: —
"Who was it, brethren,
that was in the meeting-hall
instructing,
inciting,
enlightening,
and inspiring the brethren
with pious discourse,
in urbane speech,
well articulated,
without hoarseness,
expounding the meaning,
relevant,
unwordly?"
[5] "It was the venerable Visākha of the Pañcālans, lord."
[6] Then the Exalted One addressed Visākha saying: —
"Well done, well done, Visākha!
Well hast thou done
on this wise to address the brethren."
[7] The Exalted One spake this.
The Wellfarer so saying, the Master spake this yet further: —
They know the wise man mixing with the fools
Though naught he say.
They know him when he speaks, teaching [us all]
The Deathless Way.
Let him speak doctrine, make it shine, lift up
The banner of the seers. Bright shining words
Have they for banner, yea, they have the Norm.[3]
[1] Cf. Pss of the Brethren, p. 152 f.
[2] This formula for a good delivery occurs above, i, 241, with the last two adjectives omitted. B. discusses the terms as if they occurred here for the first time. He had probably forgotten (as also had the translator, but her collaborator had not). The last two terms, literally 'included, independent,' are explained by the Comy. to mean, 'included in the Four Truths-doctrine,' 'not on themes of saṇsāra.'
[3] Cf. Pss. of the Brethren, p. 65, n. 3, and references there. It is not easy to reproduce the word-play on bhāsati to speak, and to shine (bhāsay make shine). Cf. above, i, 23, n.1; 67, n.1.
