5:3 The Questions of Puṇṇaka

(Said the Venerable Puṇṇaka)

1043“To the one without impulse, seer of the root,
I have come in need with a question: [200]
On what ground have many rishis, men, khattiyas, and brahmins
here in the world performed sacrifice to the deities?This question is also found at verse 458, where a discussion about the purpose of sacrifice seems more appropriate.
I ask you, Blessed One: please declare this to me.” (1)

(“Puṇṇaka,” said the Blessed One)

---

1044“These many rishis, men, khattiyas, and brahmins,
who here in the world have performed sacrifice to the deities,
did so, Puṇṇaka, yearning for a state of being.
Bound to old age, they performed sacrifices.” (2)

(Said the Venerable Puṇṇaka)

1045“These many rishis, men, khattiyas, and brahmins,
who here in the world, heedful on the path of sacrifice,
performed sacrifices to the deities:
did they cross over birth and old age, dear sir?
I ask you, Blessed One: please declare this to me.” (3)

(“Puṇṇaka,” Said the Blessed One)

---

1046“They yearn, extol, hanker, offer up,
They hanker for sensual pleasures because of gain.
Intent on sacrifice, excited by lust for existence,
they did not cross over birth and old age, I say.” (4) [201]

(Said the Venerable Puṇṇaka)

1047“If, dear sir, those intent on sacrifice,
by their sacrifices did not cross over birth and old age,
then who here in the world of devas and humans
has crossed over birth and old age, dear sir?
I ask you, Blessed One: please declare this for me.” (5)

(“Puṇṇaka,” said the Blessed One)

---

1048“Having comprehended the far and near in the world,
one without agitation anywhere in the world,
peaceful, fumeless, untroubled, wishless,
has crossed over birth and old age, I say.” (6)

Puṇṇakamāṇavapucchā

(iccāyasmā puṇṇako):

1043"Anejaṁ mūladassāviṁ,
Atthi pañhena āgamaṁ;
Kiṁ nissitā isayo manujā,
Khattiyā brāhmaṇā devatānaṁ;
Yaññamakappayiṁsu puthūdha loke,
Pucchāmi taṁ bhagavā brūhi me taṁ".

(puṇṇakāti bhagavā):

---

1044 "Ye kecime isayo manujā,
Khattiyā brāhmaṇā devatānaṁ;
Yaññamakappayiṁsu puthūdha loke,
Āsīsamānā puṇṇaka itthattaṁ;
Jaraṁ sitā yaññamakappayiṁsu".

(iccāyasmā puṇṇako):

1045 "Ye kecime isayo manujā,
Khattiyā brāhmaṇā devatānaṁ;
Yaññamakappayiṁsu puthūdha loke,
Kaccissu te bhagavā yaññapathe appamattā;
Atāruṁ jātiñca jarañca mārisa,
Pucchāmi taṁ bhagavā brūhi metaṁ".

(puṇṇakāti bhagavā):

---

1046 "Āsīsanti thomayanti abhijappanti juhanti,
Kāmābhijappanti paṭicca lābhaṁ;
Te yājayogā bhavarāgarattā,
Nātariṁsu jātijaranti brūmi".

(iccāyasmā puṇṇako):

1047 "Te ce nātariṁsu yājayogā,
Yaññehi jātiñca jarañca mārisa;
Atha ko carahi devamanussaloke,
Atāri jātiñca jarañca mārisa;
Pucchāmi taṁ bhagavā brūhi me taṁ".

(puṇṇakāti bhagavā):

---

1048 "Saṅkhāya lokasmi paroparāni,
Yassiñjitaṁ natthi kuhiñci loke;
Santo vidhūmo anīgho nirāso,
Atāri so jātijaranti brūmī"ti.

---

Puṇṇakamāṇavapucchā tatiyā.