10. Śraddhāvarga
The Chapter about Faith
(16 Verses)
[216 ≈ AN 8.32:1]
[stm.]
Śraddhātha hrīśīlam athāpi dānaṁ, dharmā ime satpuruṣapraśastāḥ,
Faith, conscience, virtue and then giving, these things are praised by good people,
etaṁ hi mārgaṁ divyaṁ vadanti, etenāsau gacchati Devalokam. 10.1
this they say is the path to the divine, by this one goes to the world of the Devas.
Śraddhā (f. nom. sg.) faith; atha (indec.) then; hrīḥ (f. nom. sg.) conscience; śīlam (n. nom. sg.) virtue; atha-api (indec.) and also; dānam (n. nom. sg.) giving; dharmāḥ (m. nom. pl.) things; ime (m. nom. pl. dem. pron.) these; sat-puruṣa-praśastāḥ (m. nom. pl.) praised by good men; etam (m. acc. sg. dem. pron.) this; hi (indec.) for; mārgam (m. acc. sg.) the path; divyam (m. acc. sg.) divine; vadanti (3rd. pl. pres.) they say; etena (m. inst. sg. dem. pron.) by this; asau (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that one; gacchati (3rd. sg. pres.) goes; Deva-lokam (m. acc. sg.) the world of the Devas.
Saddhā hiriyaṁ kusalañ-ca dānaṁ, dhammā ete sappurisānuyātā,
Faith, conscience, merit and giving, these things are followed by good people,
etañ-hi maggaṁ diviyaṁ vadanti, etena hi gacchati Devalokaṁ.
this they say is the path to the divine, for by this one goes to the world of the Devas.
[217 ≈ Dhp 177]
[stm.]
Na vai kadaryā Devalokaṁ vrajanti, bālā hi te na praśaṁsanti dānam,
The stingy do not go to the world of the Devas, for fools do not praise giving,
śrāddhas tu dānaṁ hy anumodamāno, py evaṁ hy asau bhavati sukhī paratra. 10.2
but the faithful one is rejoicing in giving, and so is happy in the next world.
Na (indec.) not; vai (indec.) indeed; kad-aryāḥ (m. nom. pl.) the stingy; Deva-lokam (m. acc. sg.) the world of the Devas; vrajanti (3rd. pl. pres.) they go; bālāḥ (m. nom. pl.) fools; hi (indec.) for; te (m. nom. pl. pers. pron.) they; na (indec.) not; praśaṁsanti (3rd. pl. pres.) they praise; dānam (n. acc. sg.) giving; śrāddhaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the faithful one; tu (indec.) but; dānam (n. acc. sg.) giving; hy (euphonic particle); anumodamānaḥ (m. nom. sg. prp.) rejoicing in; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that one; py (separator); evam (indec.) so; hy (euphonic particle); asau (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that one; bhavati (3rd. sg. pres.) is; sukhī (m. nom. sg.) happy; paratra (indec.) in the next world.
Na ve kadariyā The word is derived from ku + ariya, a low or bad noble; compare kupurisa, a bad man, low man. SN-a says: kadariyā ti idaṁ maccharino ti; stingy, this means selfish. devalokaṁ vajanti, bālā have nappasaṁsanti dānaṁ,
The stingy do not go to the world of the Devas, fools surely do not praise giving,
dhīro ca dānaṁ anumodamāno, teneva so hoti sukhī parattha.
but the steadfast one is rejoicing in giving, and through that is happy in the next world.
[218 ≈ Snp 184 (182) This and the next two parallels come from Āḷavakasutta (Snp 1.10).]
[stm.]
Śraddhā hi vittaṁ puruṣasya śreṣṭhaṁ, Dharmaḥ sucīrṇaḥ sukham ādadhāti,
Faith is a person’s greatest wealth, the Dharma, well-practiced, brings happiness.
satyaṁ hi vai svādutamaṁ rasānāṁ, prajñājīvī jīvināṁ śreṣṭha uktaḥ. 10.3
truth, for sure, is the sweetest of tastes, the one living wisely is called the best among living beings.
Śraddhā (f. nom. sg.) faith; hi (indec.) for; vittam (n. nom. coll. sg.) wealth; puruṣasya (m. gen. sg.) of a person; śreṣṭham (n. nom. sg.) greatest; Dharmaḥ (m. nom. sg.) Dharma; su-cīrṇaḥ (m. nom. sg.) well-practiced; sukham (n. acc. coll. sg.) happiness; ādadhāti (3rd. sg. pres.) brings about; satyam (n. nom. sg.) truth; hi (indec.) for; vai (indec.) indeed; svādu-tamam (n. nom. sg.) the sweetest; rasānām (m. gen. pl.) of tastes; prajñā-jīvī (m. nom. sg.) living wisely; jīvinām (m. gen. pl.) among living beings; śreṣṭhaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the best; uktaḥ (m. nom. sg. pp.) is called.
Saddhīdha vittaṁ purisassa seṭṭhaṁ, Dhammo suciṇṇo sukham-āvahāti.
Faith is a person’s greatest wealth here, the Dhamma, well-accomplished, brings happiness.
saccaṁ have sādutaraṁ rasānaṁ, paññājīviṁ jīvitam-āhu seṭṭhaṁ
truth, for sure, is the sweeter of tastes, the one living wisely they say is the best among living beings.
[219 ≈ Snp 188 (186)]
[stm.]
Śraddhādhano hy Arhatāṁ Dharmaṁ Nirvāṇaprāptaye,
Having the wealth of faith for the attainment of Nirvāṇa, the Arhats’ Dharma,
śuśruṣur labhate prajñāṁ tatra tatra vicakṣaṇaḥ. 10.4
being desirous of hearing (it), the discerning one obtains wisdom everywhere.
Śraddhā-dhanaḥ (m. nom. sg.) having the wealth of faith; hi (indec.) for; Arhatām (m. gen. pl.) of the Arhats; Dharmam (m. acc. sg.) the Dharma; Nirvāṇa-prāptaye (f. dat. sg. pp.) for the attainment of Nirvana; śuśruṣuḥ (m. nom. sg.) one desirous of hearing; labhate (3rd. sg. pres.) obtains; prajñām (f. acc. sg.) wisdom; tatra tatra (indec.) everywhere; vicakṣaṇaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the discerning one.
Saddahāno Arahataṁ Dhammaṁ Nibbānapattiyā,
Having faith in the attainment of Nibbāna, the Arahats’ Dhamma,
sussūsā labhate paññaṁ, appamatto vicakkhaṇo.
one gains wisdom through wanting to hear it, heedfulness, and
application.
[220 ≈ Snp 186 (184)]
[stm.]
Śraddhayā tarati hy ogham, apramādena cārṇavam,
Through faith one crosses the flood, through heedfulness, the sea,
vīryeṇa tyajate duḥkhaṁ, prajñayā pariśudhyate. 10.5
through energy one gives up suffering, through wisdom one is purified.
Śraddhayā (f. inst. sg.) through faith; tarati (3rd. sg. pres.) crosses; hy (separator); ogham (m. acc. sg.) the flood; a-pramādena (m. inst. sg.) through heedfulness; ca (indec.) and; arṇavam (m. acc. sg.) the sea; vīryeṇa (n. inst. sg.) through energy; tyajate (3rd. sg. pres.) gives up; duḥkham (n. acc. coll. sg.) suffering; prajñayā (f. inst. sg.) through wisdom; pariśudhyate (3rd. sg. pres. pass.) is purified.
Saddhāya taratī oghaṁ, appamādena aṇṇavaṁ,
Through faith one crosses the flood, through heedfulness, the sea,
viriyena dukkhaṁ acceti, paññāya parisujjhati.
through energy one overcomes suffering, through wisdom one is
purified.
[221 ≈ SN 1.59:2]
[stm.]
Śraddhā dvitīyā puruṣasya bhavati, prajñā cainaṁ praśāsati,
Faith is a person’s companion, wisdom instructs him,
Nirvāṇābhirato bhikṣuś chinatti bhavabandhanam. 10.6
greatly delighting in Nirvāṇa a monastic cuts through the bonds of existence.
Śraddhā (f. nom. sg.) faith; dvitīyā (f. nom. sg.) a companion; puruṣasya (m. gen. sg.) of a person; bhavati (3rd. sg. pres.) is; prajñā (f. nom. sg.) wisdom; ca (indec.) and; enam (m. acc. sg. dem. pron.) him; praśāsati (3rd. sg. pres.) instructs; Nirvāṇa-abhirataḥ (m. nom. sg.) greatly delighting in Nirvāṇa; bhikṣuḥ (m. nom. sg.) a monastic; chinatti (3rd. sg. pres.) cuts; bhava-bandhanam (n. acc. coll. sg.) the bonds of existence.
Saddhā dutiyā purisassa hoti, paññā cenaṁ pasāsati,
Faith is a person’s companion, wisdom instructs him,
Nibbānābhirato macco sabbadukkhā pamuccati.
greatly delighting in Nibbāna a mortal is freed from all suffering.
[222 cf. Dhp 263]
[stm.]
Yasya śraddhā ca śīlaṁ caivāhiṁsā saṁyamo damaḥ,
For the one who has faith, virtue, non-violence, restraint, and training,
sa vāntadoṣo medhāvī sādhurūpo nirucyate. 10.7
that intelligent one has removed the faults, he is called honourable.
Yasya (m. gen. sg. rel. pron.) for whom; śraddhā (f. nom. sg.) faith; ca (indec.) and; śīlam (n. nom. sg.) virtue; ca (indec.) and; eva (indec.) indeed; ahiṁsā (f. nom. sg.) non-violence; saṁyamaḥ (m. nom. sg.) restraint; damaḥ (m. nom. sg.) training; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that one; vānta-doṣaḥ (m. nom. sg.) one who has removed faults; medhāvī (m. nom. sg.) the intelligent one; sādhu-rūpaḥ (m. nom. sg.) honourable; nirucyate (3rd. sg. pres. pass.) is called.
Yassa cetaṁ samucchinnaṁ, mūlaghaccaṁ samūhataṁ,
For the one in whom this This refers to the previous verse Dhp 262 where jealousy, selfishness and deceit are mentioned. is cut-off, destroyed at the root and dug up,
sa vantadoso medhāvī sādhurūpo ti vuccati.
that intelligent one has removed the faults, he is said to be honourable.
[223 cf. Dhp 303]
[stm.]
Śrāddhaḥ śīlena saṁpannas, tyāgavāṁ vītamatsaraḥ,
The faithful one who is endowed with virtue, charitable, without selfishness,
vrajate yatra yatraiva, tatra tatraiva pūjyate. 10.8
wherever one goes, right there he is worshipped.
Śrāddhaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the faithful one; śīlena (n. inst. sg.) with virtue; saṁpannaḥ (m. nom. sg.) endowed; tyāgavān (m. nom. sg.) charitable; vīta-matsaraḥ (m. nom. sg.) without selfishness; vrajate (3rd. sg. pres.) goes; yatra yatra (indec.) wherever; eva (indec.) indeed; tatra tatra (indec.) right there; eva (indec.) indeed; pūjyate (3rd. sg. pres. pass.) is worshipped.
Saddho sīlena sampanno yasobhogasamappito,
The faithful one who is endowed with virtue, and has wealth and fame,
yaṁ yaṁ padesaṁ bhajati, tattha tattheva pūjito.
whatever place he resorts to, right there that one is worshipped.
[224]
[stm.]
Yo jīvaloke labhate śraddhāṁ prajñāṁ ca paṇḍitaḥ,
The wise one who, in the world of the living, gains faith and wisdom,
tad dhi tasya dhanaṁ śreṣṭhaṁ, hīnam asyetarad dhanam. 10.9
that indeed is his greatest wealth, any other wealth of his is inferior.
Yaḥ (m. nom. sg. rel. pron.) one who; jīva-loke (m. loc. sg.) in the world of the living; labhate (3rd. sg. pres.) obtains; śraddhām (f. acc. sg.) faith; prajñām (f. acc. sg.) wisdom; ca (indec.) and; paṇḍitaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the wise one; tat (n. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that; hi (indec.) indeed; tasya (m. gen. sg. dem. pron.) his; dhanam (n. nom. coll. sg.) wealth; śreṣṭham (n. nom. sg.) the best; hīnam (n. nom. sg.) inferior; asya (m. gen. sg. dem. pron.) his; itarat (n. nom. sg.) other; dhanam (n. nom. coll. sg.) wealth.
[225 cf. AN 3.42:1]
[stm.]
Āryāṇāṁ darśanaḥ kāmaḥ, Saddharmaśravaṇe rataḥ,
One who desires the sight of the Noble Ones, who has delight in hearing the True Dhamma,
vinītamātsaryamalaḥ, sa vai śrāddho nirucyate. 10.10
who has removed the impurity of selfishness, that one is surely called faithful.
Āryāṇām (m. gen. pl.) of the Noble Ones; darśanaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the sight; kāmaḥ (m. nom. sg.) desire; Sad-dharma-śravaṇe (n. loc. sg.) in hearing the True Dhamma; rataḥ (m. nom. sg. pp.) delight; vinīta (m. nom. sg.) removed; mātsarya (n. gen. sg.) of selfishness; malaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the impurity; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that one; vai (indec.) surely; śrāddhaḥ (m. nom. sg.) faithful; nirucyate (3rd. sg. pres. pass.) is called.
Dassanakāmo sīlavataṁ, Saddhammaṁ sotum-icchati,
One who desires the sight of the virtuous, who wants to hear the True Dhamma,
vinaye maccheramalaṁ, sa ve saddho ti vuccati.
who has removed the stain of selfishness, that one is truly said to be faithful.
[226 cf. SN 1.79:2a; SN 1.51:2d; SN 1.77:4c-f The parallels are compiled from a number of verses here. I have not always liked to do that, but here, I feel, it highlights how the Sanskrit verse may have been compiled from existing fragments. ]
[stm.]
Śrāddho gṛhṇāti pātheyaṁ, puṇyaṁ coraiḥ sudurharam,
The faithful one takes up provisions, it is hard for merit to be carried off by thieves,
coraṁ harantaṁ vārayati, harantaḥ śramaṇāḥ priyāḥ,
one restrains the thief from carrying off, (but) ascetics carrying off (alms) are loved,
śramaṇān āgatāṁ dṛṣṭvā, abhinandati paṇḍitāḥ. 10.11
seeing the ascetics return, the wise greatly rejoice.
Śrāddhaḥ (m. nom. sg.) the faithful one; gṛhṇāti (3rd. sg. pres.) takes up; pātheyam (n. acc. sg.) provisions; puṇyam (n. acc. coll. sg.) merit; coraiḥ (m. inst. pl.) by thieves; su-dur-haram (n. acc. sg.) hard to be carried off; coram (m. acc. sg.) the thief; harantam (m. acc. sg. prp.) the one who is carrying away; vārayati (3rd. sg. pres.) restrains; harantaḥ (m. nom. pl. prp.) those carrying off; śramaṇāḥ (m. nom. pl.) the ascetics; priyāḥ (m. nom. pl.) are loved; śramaṇān (m. acc. pl.) the ascetics; āgatān (m. acc. pl. pp.) who have returned; dṛṣṭvā (abs.) seeing; abhinandati (3rd. sg. pres.) greatly rejoices; paṇḍitāḥ (m. nom. pl.) the wise.
Saddhā bandhati pātheyyaṁ
The faithful one takes up the provisions
————
puññaṁ corehi dūharanti,
it is hard for merit to be carried off by thieves,
————
coraṁ harantaṁ vārenti, haranto samaṇo piyo,
they restrain a thief from carrying off, (but) an ascetic carrying off (alms) is loved,
samaṇaṁ punappunāyantaṁ, abhinandanti paṇḍitā.
when an ascetic returns again and again, the wise greatly rejoice.
[227 ≈ Dhp 249]
[stm.]
Dadanty eke yathā śraddhā yathāvibhavato janāḥ,
Some people give according to faith, according to their means,
tatra yo durmanā bhavati pareṣāṁ pānabhojane,
the one who is resentful about others’ food and drink there,
nāsau divā ca rātrau ca, samādhim adhigacchati. 10.12
does not, either by day or by night, attain concentration.
Dadanti (3rd. pl. pres.) they give; eke (m. nom. pl.) some; yathā (indec.) according to; śraddhā (f. inst. sg.) according to faith; yathā (indec.) according to; vibhavataḥ (m. gen. sg.) from means; janāḥ (m. nom. pl.) people; tatra (indec.) there; yaḥ (m. nom. sg. rel. pron.) one who; dur-manāḥ (m. nom. sg.) resentful; bhavati (3rd. sg. pres.) is; pareṣām (m. gen. pl.) of others; pāna-bhojane (n. loc. sg.) in the drink and food; na (indec.) not; asau (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that one; divā (indec.) by day; ca (indec.) and; rātrau (indec.) by night; ca (indec.) and; samādhim (m. acc. sg.) concentration; adhigacchati (3rd. sg. pres.) attains.
Dadāti ve yathāsaddhaṁ, yathāpasādanaṁ jano,
The people give according to faith, according to their confidence,
tattha yo maṅku bhavati paresaṁ pānabhojane,
the one who is dejected about other’s food and drink,
na so divā vā rattiṁ vā, samādhiṁ adhigacchati.
does not, either by day or by night, attain concentration.
[228 ≈ Dhp 250]
[stm. + sim.]
Yasya tv ete samucchinnās, tālamastakavad dhatāḥ,
But for the one in whom these Referring back to the previous verse: these resentful thoughts. are considered cut off, like the top of a palm tree,
sa vai divā ca rātrau ca, samādhim adhigacchati. 10.13
surely does, by day and by night, attain concentration.
Yasya (m. gen. sg. rel. pron.) in whom; tu (indec.) but; ete (m. nom. pl. dem. pron.) these; samucchinnāḥ (m. nom. pl. pp.) cut off; tāla-mastaka-vat (indec.) like the top of a palm tree; dhatāḥ (m. nom. pl. pp.) considered; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that one; vai (indec.) surely; divā (indec.) by day; ca (indec.) and; rātrau (indec.) by night; ca (indec.) and; samādhim (m. acc. sg.) concentration; adhigacchati (3rd. sg. pres.) attains.
Yassa cetaṁ samucchinnaṁ, mūlaghaccaṁ samūhataṁ,
But for the one in whom this Referring to the previous verse: this dejection. is cut off, destroyed at the root, dug up,
sa ve divā vā rattiṁ vā, samādhiṁ adhigacchati.
surely does, by day and by night, attain concentration.
[229 ≈ Ja 528.7]
[adm. + sim.]
Vītaśraddhaṁ na seveta, hradaṁ yadvad dhi nirjalam,
One should not associate with one without faith, (one who is) like a waterless lake,
sa cet khanel labhet tatra, vāri kardamagandhikam. 10.14
if one were to dig there, one would find the water muddy and foul-smelling.
Vīta-śraddham (m. acc. sg.) without faith; na (indec.) not; seveta (3rd. sg. opt.) one should associate with; hradam (m. acc. sg.) a lake; yadvat (indec.) just as; hi (indec.) for; nir-jalam (m. acc. sg.) waterless; saḥ (m. nom. sg. dem. pron.) that one; cet (indec.) if; khanet (3rd. sg. opt.) one were to dig; tatra (indec.) there; labhet (3rd. sg. opt.) one would find; vāri (n. acc. sg.) water; kardama (m. inst. sg.) with mud; gandhikam (n. acc. sg.) foul-smelling.
Vītasaddhaṁ na seveyya, udapānaṁ vanodakaṁ,
One should not associate with one without faith, (one who is) like a waterless well in a forest,
sace pi naṁ anukhaṇe, vāri kaddamagandhikaṁ.
if one were to dig it, the water would be muddy and foul-smelling.
[230]
[adm. + sim.]
Śrāddhaṁ prājñaṁ tu seveta, hradaṁ yadvaj jalārthikaḥ,
But you should associate with a faithful and wise one, like one seeking water, a lake,
acchodakaṁ viprasannaṁ, śītatoyam anāvilam. 10.15
having clean water, clear, that is cool and undisturbed.
Śrāddham (m. acc. sg.) a faithful one; prājñam (m. acc. sg.) a wise one; tu (indec.) but; seveta (3rd. sg. opt.) one should associate with; hradam (m. acc. sg.) a lake; yadvat (indec.) just as; jala-arthikaḥ (m. nom. sg.) one who seeks water; accha-udakam (m. acc. sg.) having clean water; viprasannam (m. acc. sg.) very clear; śīta-toyam (m. acc. sg.) having cool water; an-āvilam (m. acc. sg.) undisturbed.
[231]
[adm.]
Nānurakta iti rajyeta, hy atra vai dīryate janaḥ,
One should not be attached thinking: I am attached, for a person is surely torn apart here,
aprasannāṁ varjayitvā, prasannān upasevate. 10.16
avoiding those without confidence, one should associate with the confident.
Na (indec.) not; anuraktaḥ (m. nom. sg.) attached; iti (indec.) quotation marker; rajyeta (3rd. sg. opt. pass.) should be attached; hy (separator); atra (indec.) here; vai (indec.) indeed; dīryate (3rd. sg. pres. pass.) is torn apart; janaḥ (m. nom. sg.) a person; a-prasannān (m. acc. pl.) those without confidence; varjayitvā (abs.) having avoided; prasannān (m. acc. pl. pp.) the confident; upasevate (3rd. sg. pres.) associates with.
Śraddhāvargaḥ, 10.
The Chapter on Faith, the Tenth
[232]
Uddānam
The Summary
Anityakāmatṛṣṇā ca apramādas tathā priyaḥ,
Impermanence, desire, craving, heedfulness, also love,
śīlaṁ sucaritaṁ vācakarmaśraddhā ca te daśaḥ.
virtue, good conduct, speech, deeds and faith, these ten.
Anitya-kāma-tṛṣṇā (f. nom. sg.) impermanence, desire and craving; ca (indec.) and; a-pramādaḥ (m. nom. sg.) heedfulness; tathā (indec.) and also; priyaḥ (m. nom. sg.) love; śīlam (n. nom. sg.) virtue; su-caritam (n. nom. sg.) good conduct; vāca-karma-śraddhā (f. nom. sg.) speech, deeds and faith; ca (indec.) and; te (m. nom. pl. dem. pron.) these; daśaḥ (m. nom. pl.) ten