1. Vanavagga

Saṁyutta Nikāya 9.8

Linked Discourses 9.8

1. Vanavagga

1. In the Woods

Kulagharaṇīsutta

The Mistress of the House

Ekaṁ samayaṁ aññataro bhikkhu kosalesu viharati aññatarasmiṁ vanasaṇḍe.

At one time one of the monks was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove.

Tena kho pana samayena so bhikkhu aññatarasmiṁ kule ativelaṁ ajjhogāḷhappatto viharati.

Now at that time that monk had become too closely involved in the affairs of a certain family.

Atha kho yā tasmiṁ vanasaṇḍe adhivatthā devatā tassa bhikkhuno anukampikā atthakāmā taṁ bhikkhuṁ saṁvejetukāmā yā tasmiṁ kule kulagharaṇī, tassā vaṇṇaṁ abhinimminitvā yena so bhikkhu tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ bhikkhuṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

The deity haunting that forest had sympathy for that monk, wanting what’s best for him. So, wanting to stir him up, they manifested in the appearance of the mistress of that family, approached the monk, and addressed him in verse:

“Nadītīresu saṇṭhāne,

“At river banks and guest houses,

sabhāsu rathiyāsu ca;

hotels and highways,

Janā saṅgamma mantenti,

people gather to gossip about

mañca tañca kimantaran”ti.

what’s going on between you and me.”

“Bahūhi saddā paccūhā,

“There are many sounds echoing

khamitabbā tapassinā;

that a fervent ascetic must endure.

Na tena maṅku hotabbaṁ,

They ought not be dismayed by that,

na hi tena kilissati.

for that’s not what defiles you.

Yo ca saddaparittāsī,

If you’re startled by every little sound,

vane vātamigo yathā;

like a wind-deer in the wood,

Lahucittoti taṁ āhu,

they’ll call you ‘flighty minded’;

nāssa sampajjate vatan”ti.

and your practice won’t succeed.”