1Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park. There the Blessed One said this:

"Bhikkhus, once in the past Sakka, lord of the devas, instructing the Tāvatiṁsa devas in the Sudhamma assembly hall, on that occasion recited this verse:

2v.945 "‘Do not let anger overpower you;
Do not become angry at those who are angry.
Nonanger and harmlessness always dwell
Within the hearts of the noble ones.
Like a mountain avalanche
Anger crushes evil people.’" [n.668] Spk: Nonanger (akkodha) is lovingkindness (metta) and the preliminary phase of lovingkindness; harmlessness (avihiṁsa) is compassion (karuṇā) and the preliminary phase of compassion.

The Book with Verses is finished.

1Evaṁ me sutaṁ—​ ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ vihārati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū … pe … bhagavā etadavoca:

"Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhikkhave, sakko devānamindo sudhammāyaṁ sabhāyaṁ deve tāvatiṁse anunayamāno tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

2‘Mā vo kodho ajjhabhavi,
mā ca kujjhittha kujjhataṁ;
Akkodho avihiṁsā ca,
ariyesu ca paṭipadā;
Atha pāpajanaṁ kodho,
pabbatovābhimaddatī’"ti.

Tatiyo vaggo.

3Chetvā dubbaṇṇiya māyā,
accayena akodhano;
Desitaṁ buddhaseṭṭhena,
idañhi sakkapañcakanti.

Sakkasaṁyuttaṁ samattaṁ.

Sagāthāvaggo paṭhamo.

4Devatā devaputto ca,
rājā māro ca bhikkhunī;
Brahmā brāhmaṇa vaṅgīso,
vanayakkhena vāsavoti.

Sagāthāvaggasaṁyuttapāḷi niṭṭhitā.