Mahāmaṅgala-sutta: Rendering

Mahāmaṅgala-sutta:Rendering

Mahāmaṅgala-sutta:        (discourse on the highest Blessings)

(Khuddakapāṭha-Pāḷi, p.3, Suttanipāta-Pāḷi,318)

PAṆĀMA (Prelude)       PV-10, HD-26, BW-68, LH-20-28, TB-259-271

(a) Yaṃ maṅgalaṃ dvādasahi

     Cintayiṃsu sadevakā

     Soṭṭhānaṃ nādhigacchanti

     Aṭṭhatiṃsañca maṅgalaṃ

Devas and human beings for twelve years

pondered what are (the Highest) Blessing,

(but) could not understand the 38 Highest Blessings,

(which) are the factors of prosperity.

(b) Desitaṃ[1] devadevena,

     Sabbapāpa vināsanaṃ[2],

     Sabbaloka hitatthāya,

     Maṅgalaṃ taṃ bhanāmahe[3].

O virtuous ones, let us recite

those Highest Blessings which were preached by the Buddha,

Deity of the Deities (the Buddha),

for the benefit of beings and which destroy all evils.

NIDĀNA (Introduction) (LH-20,26)

(c-1) *EvaÑ me sutaÑ–ekaÑ samayaÑ BhagavÈ SÈvatthiyaÑ viharati Jetavane AnÈthapiÓÉikassa ÈrÈme.

          Thus have I heard.

     At one time the Blessed One was dwelling at the monastery of Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s Grove near the city of Sāvatthi.

(c-2) Atha kho aÒÒatarÈ[4]devatÈ abhikkantÈya[5]rattiyÈ[6]abhikkantavaÓÓÈ[7]kevala­kappaÑ[8]JetavanaÑ obhÈsetvÈ[9]

     Then at midnight far advanced, a certain deity of very charming appearance, having illuminated the whole Jeta Grove.

(c-3)  yena BhagavÈ tenupasa~kami, upasa~kamitvÈ[10]BhagavantaÑ abhivÈdetvÈ[11]ekamantaÑ[12]aÔÔhÈsi[13], ekamantaÑ ÔhitÈ kho[14]sÈ devatÈ BhagavantaÑ gÈthÈya ajjhabhÈsi[15]–

     approached the Buddha and (respectfully) paid homage to Him, and stood at a suitable place; standing there, the Deva addressed the Blessed One in verse:

(1) "Bah| devÈ manussÈ ca,

     ma~galÈni acintayuÑ.

     Œka~khamÈnÈ[16]sotthÈnaÑ[17],

     br|hi[18]ma~galamuttamaÑ.           

                   “Many Devas and human beings

Longing for prosperity/welfare

pondered what blessings were.

Pray reveal, Lord, the Highest Blessing.”

(2) AsevanÈ[19]ca bÈlÈnaÑ,

     paÓÉitÈnaÒca sevanÈ.

     P|jÈ[20]ca p|janeyyÈnaÑ,

     etaÑ ma~galamuttamaÑ.                       

     “Not to associate with fools,

     to associate with the wise only

     to honor those who are worthy of honor.

     This triad (set of three) is the Highest Blessing.                              (1-3)

(3) Patir|padesavÈso ca,

     pubbe ca katapuÒÒatÈ.

     AttasammÈpaÓidhi[21]ca,

     etaÑ ma~galamuttamaÑ.

     To reside in a suitable place,

     to have done meritorious deeds in the past,

     to keep one’s mind and body in a proper way.

     This triad is the Highest Blessing.                                                  (4-6)

(4) BÈhusaccaÒca sippaÒca[22],

     vinayo ca susikkhito[23].

     SubhÈsitÈ[24]ca yÈ vÈcÈ,

     etaÑ ma~galamuttamaÑ.

    

                   To have much knowledge,

to be skilled in art and handicrafts,

to be well-trained in moral conduct

and to have speech that is well-spoken.

This tetrad (set of four) is the Highest Blessing.               (7-10)

(5) MÈtÈpitu upaÔÔhÈnaÑ[25],

     puttadÈrassa sa~gaho.

     AnÈkulÈ[26]ca kammantÈ,

     etaÑ ma~galamuttamaÑ.

    

     Attending to one's parents closely,

     supporting one’s spouse and children

     having work that causes no confusion.

     This triad is the Highest Blessing.                                                  (11-13)

(6) DÈnaÒca dhammacariyÈ ca,

     ÒÈtakÈnaÒca[27]sa~gaho.

     AnavajjÈni[28]kammÈni,

     etaÑ ma~galamuttamaÑ.

    

     Giving, practice of what is good,

     Supporting of one’s relatives

     performing blameless actions.

     This tetrad is the Highest Blessing.                                                 (14-17)

(7)     ŒratÊ[29]viratÊ[30]pÈpÈ,

     majjapÈnÈ[31]ca saÑyamo[32].

     AppamÈdo[33]ca dhammesu,

     etaÑ ma~galamuttamaÑ.

    

     Abstention from evil in mind,

     abstention from evil in body and speech,

     abstention from intoxicants

     and non-negligence in meritorious acts.

     This is the Highest Blessing.                                                          (18-21)

(8) GÈravo[34]ca nivÈto[35]ca,

     santuÔÔhi[36]ca kataÒÒutÈ[37].

     KÈlena dhammassavanaÑ,

     etaÑ ma~galamuttamaÑ.              

    

     Respectfulness,

     humbleness,

     contentment, gratitude

     and listening to the Dhamma on suitable occasions.

     This pentad (set of five) is the Highest Blessing.                            (22-26)

(9) KhantÊ ca sovacassatÈ[38],

     samaÓÈnaÒca dassanaÑ[39].

     KÈlena dhammasÈkacchÈ[40],

     etaÑ ma~galamuttamaÑ.

    

     Patience, obedience,

     meeting those who have calmed the mental defilements

     and discussing the Dhamma on suitable occasions.

     This tetrad is the Highest Blessing.                                                 (27-30)

(10)   Tapo ca brahmacariyaÒca,

          ariyasaccÈna dassanaÑ.

          NibbÈnasacchikiriyÈ[41]ca,

          etaÑ ma~galamuttamaÑ.

    

     Practice austerity,

     Undertaking the noble life (chastity),

     seeing the Noble Truths

     and realization of Nibbāna (the Supreme Bliss).

     This tetrad is the Highest Blessing.                                                 (31-34)

  

(11)   PhuÔÔhassa[42]lokadhammehi,

     cittaÑ yassa na kampati[43].

     AsokaÑ[44]virajaÑ[45]khemaÑ[46],

     etaÑ ma~galamuttamaÑ.

    

     The mind of a person (an Arahant)

     who is confronted with worldly conditions

     does not flutter, is sorrowless, stainless and secure.

     This tetrad is the Highest Blessing.                                                 (35-38)

  

(12)   EtÈdisÈni[47]katvÈna,

     sabbattha[48]maparÈjitÈ.

     Sabbattha sotthiÑ gacchanti,

     taÑ tesaÑ ma~galamuttaman"ti.

    

     Having fulfilled such things as these,

     beings are invincible everywhere

     and gain happiness everywhere.

     That is the highest blessing for them.”

End of Maṅgalasutta

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CLASSIFICATION OF THE 38 BLESSINGS (AṬṬHATIMSA MAṄGALĀ)

Stanza   Beginning                        Ordinal No of Blessings   Dealing with

No2        Asevanāca bālānaṃ           1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd              Social association

No3        Patirūpadesavāsoca           4^th, 5^th, 6^th              Good living

No4        Bāhusaccañca                    7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 10^th     Learning, education

No5        Mātāpitu upaṭṭhānaṃ         11^th, 12^th, 13^th         Attention

No6        Dānañca dhammacariyāca  14^th, 15^th,16^th, 17^th  Observance/practice

No7        Āratī viratī pāpa                18^th, 19^th, 20^th, 21^st   Abstinence

No8        Gāravoca nivatoca             22^nd, 23^rd, 24^th, 25^th, 26^th     Nobility      

No9        Khantīca sovacassatā         27^th, 28^th, 29^th, 30^th  Mental maturity

No10      Tapoca brahmacariyañca   31^st, 32^nd, 33^rd, 34^th  Deliverance

No11      Phuṭṭhassa lokadhammehi 35^th, 36^th, 37^th, 38^th   Mental steadfastness

    

Of these

     (a) Causative Blessings        = 1^st to 33^rd       (all 33)

     (b) Resultant Blessings         = 34^th to 38^th     (all   5)

THE CONTENTS OF THIRTY-EIGHT KINDS OF BLESSINGS

Stanza No2 (beginning with Asevanāca – social association)

     1. Bālāsevana                    Non-association with fools

     2. Paṇḍitā sevana              Association with the wise

     3. Pūjaneyya pūjā              Honoring those worthy of honor

Stanza No3 (beginning with Patirūpadesavāsoca – good living)

     4. Patirūpadesavāsa          Residence in an appropriate/ suitable locality

     5. Pubbekatapuññatā         Having done merits in the past

     6. Attasamāpaṇdhi             Keeping oneself in the right course

Stanza No4 (beginning with Bāhusaccañca - Learning)

    7.   Bāhusacca                    Vast knowledge/learning

    8.   Susikkhita-sippa            Skill in art and handicraft

    9.   Susikkhita vinaya          well-trained in moral conduct

  10.   Subhāsitā vācā             having speech that is well-spoken

Stanza No5 (beginning with Mātāpitu upaṭṭhānaṃ - Attention)

  11.   Mātāpitu upaṭṭhāna                Attending to one's parents closely,

  12.   Puttadārassa saṅgaha              supporting one’s spouse and children

  13.   Anākulā-kammantā                having work that causes no confusion.

Stanza No6 (beginning with Dānañca-Observance/Practice)

  14.   Dānañca                     Generosity/Liberality/Charity/Offering/Giving

  15.   Dhammacariyā                       practice of what is good (Dhamma),

  16.   Ñātaka saṅgaha                      Supporting of one’s relatives

  17.   Anavajja-kamma                    Performing blameless actions.

Stanza No7 (beginning with Āratī viratī pāpa-Abstinence/Avoidance)

     18. Pāpa-āratī                              Abstention from evil in mind,

     19. Pāpa-viratī                            abstention from evil in body and speech,

     20. Majjapāna saṃyama              abstention from intoxicants

     21. Dhamma appamāda               non-negligence in meritorious acts.

Stanza No8 (beginning with Gāravoca nivātoca-nobility)

     22. Gārava                                       Reverence/Respectfulness,

     23. Nivāta                                        humbleness,

     24. Santuṭṭhī                                    contentment

     25. Kataññutā                                  gratitude

     26. Kālena Dhammassavana             and listening to the Dhamma

                                                            on suitable occasions.

Stanza No9 (beginning with Khantīca-Mental maturity)

     27. Khantī                             Patience, tolerance, forbearance, forgiveness

     28. Sovacassatā                   obedience, readiness in receiving advice

     29. Samaṇa-dassana            meeting Noble Ones

     30. Kālena dhammasākacchā discussing the Dhamma on suitable occasions.

Stanza No10 (beginning with Tapoca-Deliverance) 

     31.Tapa                                   Practice austerity,

     32. Brahmacariya                      Undertaking the noble life (chastity),

     33. Ariyasacca-dassana             seeing the Noble Truths

     34. Nibbāna-sacchikiriyā           realization of Nibbāna (the Supreme Bliss).

Stanza No11 (beginning with Phuṭṭhassa-Mental steadfastness)

     35. Citta-akampana                   Having mind unshaking by weal and woe

     36. Asoka                                 Absence of worry (sorrowless)

     37. Viraja                                 Absence of defilements/impurities (stainless)

     38. Khema,                               Peace of mind (secure)

*Abbreviation

BW   = The Buddha's way by Ven. U Paññādipa

PV     = Protective verses by Sayadaw U Sīlānanda

HD    = Eleven Holy Discourses of Protetion (by Sao Htun Hmat Win)

LH     = Life's Highest Blessings by R. L. Soni

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[1] Desita [pp of deseti] pointed out, preached, expounded

[2] Vināsana [nt] destroying

[3] Bhaṇati [√bhaṇ + a] speaks; tells; preaches.

[4] Aññatara [adj] certain; not well-known.

[5] Abhikkanta [pp of abhikkamati] 1. gone forward; past; 2. most pleasant. (nt.), going forward.

[6] Ratti [f] night

[7] vaṇṇa [m] colour; appearance; colour of the skin; sort; caste; a letter; quality.

[8] Kevala [adj] lonely; unmixed; whole; entire. – kevalakappa [adj] almost the whole.

[9] Obhāsati [ava + √bhās + a] shines. – obhāseti: causes to make radiant; causes to illumine.

[10] Upasaṅkamati [upa + √saṃ + kam +a] approaches

[11] abhivādeti [abhi + √vad/√vand + e] bows down; salutes.

[12] ekamantaṃ [adv] on one side; aside.

[13] aṭṭhāsi [aor of tiṭṭhati] stood; stayed.

[14] Kho [ind] indeed; really; surely; (an enclictic particle of affirmative and emphasis).

[15] Ajjhabhāsati [adhi + ā + √bhās + a] addresses; speaks. {{√bhās = shines/ speaks}}

[16] Ākaṅkhamāna [pp of ākaṅkhati] wishing; desiring. -- ākaṅkhati [ā + √kakh + ṃ-a] wishes for; desires.

[17] Sothi [f] well-being; safety; blessing.

[18] Brūti [√brū + e] says; speaks.

[19] Asevati [ā + √sev + a] associates; practises; frequents. – asevanā [f] non-association

[20] pūjeti [√pūj +e] honours; respects; offers something with devotion. – pūjā [f] veneration; homage; devotional offering. – pūjaneyya [adj] entitled to homage; venerable.

[21] paṇidhi [m] aspiration; determination.

[22] Sippa [nt] art; craft.

[23] Susikkhita [pp] well-trained; thoroughly learnt.

[24] Subhāsita [pp] well-spoken

[25] upaṭṭhahati [upa + ṭhā + a] waits or attends on; cares for; nurses; serves; understands.

[26] Anākula [adj] not confused or entangled.

[27] Ñātaka [m] a relation; kinsman.

[28] Avajja [adj] unblameable; faultless.

[29] Ārati [f] abstinence; leaving off.

[30] Virati [f] abstinence.

[31] Majjapāna [nt] drinking of liquors; (nt.), an intoxicating drink.

[32] saṃyama [m] restraint; self-control; abstinence.

[33] Appamāda [m] vigilance; earnestness.

[34] Gārava [m] respect; reverence; esteem.

[35] Nivātavuttī [adj] humble; obedient.

[36] santuṭṭhi [f] satisfaction; contentment; joy. – santussati [saṃ + √tus + ya] to be contented, pleased, or happy.

[37] Kataññutā [f] gratitude.

[38] Sovacassatā [f] suavity; obedience.

[39] Dassana [nt] sight; intuition; insight.

[40] Dhammasākacchā [f] discussion about the law. – sākacchā [f] conversation; discussion.

[41] Sacchikiriyā [f]  realisation; experiencing.

[42] phuṭṭha [pp of phusati]  touched; reached; attained.

[43] Kampati [√kamp + a] trembles; wavers.

[44] Asoka [adj] free from sorrow. (m.) the tree Jonesia Asoka.

[45] Viraja [adj] stainless; free from defilement.

[46] Khema [adj] safe; calm; full of peace.

[47] Etādisa [adj] such like; of this kind. – eta [demons. pron.] that; this. (mas. sing.); takes this form in some cases.

[48] Sabbattha [adv] everywhere.