Mangalasuttaṁ: The Discourse on the Blessings

Mangalasuttaṁ
The Discourse on the Blessings

Evaṁ me sutaṁ:
This is what I heard:

ekaṁ samayaṁ Bhagavā Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati
at one time the Gracious One was dwelling near Sāvatthi

Jetavane Anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.
at Anāthapiṇḍika's grounds in Jeta's Wood.

Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā,
Then a certain god, at the end of the night,

abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ Jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā,
having lit up the whole of Jeta's Wood with his surpassing beauty,

yena Bhagavā tenupasankami,
approached the Gracious One,

upasankamitvā Bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekam-antaṁ aṭṭhāsi.
and after approaching and worshipping the Gracious One, he stood on one side.

Ekam-antaṁ ṭhitā kho sā devatā Bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:
While standing on one side that god recited this verse to the Gracious One:

 

1. “Bahū devā manussā ca mangalāni acintayuṁ
“Many are the gods and the men who have thought about the blessings

ākankhamānā sotthānaṁ: brūhi mangalam-uttamaṁ.”
hoping for safety: now please say what is a supreme blessing.”

 

2. “Asevanā ca bālānaṁ, paṇḍitānañ-ca sevanā,
“Not associating with fools, with the wise associating,

pūjā ca pūjanīyānaṁ: etaṁ mangalam-uttamaṁ.
honouring those worthy of honour: this is a supreme blessing.

 

3. Paṭirūpadesavāso ca, pubbe ca katapuññatā,
Living in a suitable place, formerly having done good deeds,

attasammāpaṇidhi ca: etaṁ mangalam-uttamaṁ.
having the right aspiration for oneself: this is a supreme blessing.

 

4. Bāhusaccañ-ca sippañ-ca, vinayo ca susikkhito,
Having great learning and craft, being disciplined and well trained,

subhāsitā ca yā vācā: etaṁ mangalam-uttamaṁ.
and whatever words are well spoken: this is a supreme blessing.

 

5. Mātāpitu-upaṭṭhānaṁ, puttadārassa sangaho,
Attending on one's mother and father, looking after one's wife and sons,

anākulā ca kammantā: etaṁ mangalam-uttamaṁ.
having work that is not confusing: this is a supreme blessing.

 

6. Dānañ-ca Dhammacariyā ca, ñātakānañ-ca sangaho,
Giving, and living by the Dhamma, and looking after one's relatives,

anavajjāni kammāni: etaṁ mangalam-uttamaṁ.
(performing) actions that are blameless: this is a supreme blessing.

 

7. Ārati virati pāpā, majjapānā ca saññamo,
Abstaining, refraining from bad deeds, restraint from intoxicating drink,

appamādo ca dhammesu: etaṁ mangalam-uttamaṁ.
being heedful regarding (all) things: this is a supreme blessing.

 

8. Gāravo ca nivāto ca, santuṭṭhī ca kataññutā,
Having respect and being humble, being satisfied and grateful,

kālena Dhammasavaṇaṁ: etaṁ mangalam-uttamaṁ.
listening to the Dhamma at the right time: this is a supreme blessing.

 

9. Khantī ca sovacassatā, samaṇānañ-ca dassanaṁ,
Being patient and easily spoken to, having sight of ascetics,

kālena Dhammasākacchā: etaṁ mangalam-uttamaṁ.
discussing the Dhamma at the right time: this is a supreme blessing.

 

10. Tapo ca brahmacariyañ-ca, ariyasaccāna' dassanaṁ,
Austerity, living spiritually, insight into the noble truths,

Nibbānasacchikiriyā ca: etaṁ mangalam-uttamaṁ.
and experiencing Emancipation: this is a supreme blessing.

 

11. Phuṭṭhassa lokadhammehi, cittaṁ yassa na kampati,
He whose mind does not waver, when it is touched by things of this world,

asokaṁ virajaṁ khemaṁ: etaṁ mangalam-uttamaṁ.
being griefless, dustless, and secure: this is a supreme blessing.

 

12. Etādisāni katvāna, sabbattha-m-aparājitā,
Having done as here directed, being undefeated everywhere,

sabbattha sotthiṁ gacchanti: taṁ tesaṁ mangalam-uttaman”-ti.
they go everywhere in safety: for them this is a supreme blessing.”

Mangalasuttaṁ Niṭṭhitaṁ
The Discourse on the Blessings is Finished

Source

dhammatalks.net