Sutta on Protection, Pali and English

Maha-mangala Sutta: Protection

translated from the Pali by

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

© 1994–2009

(with Pāli from here)

4. Maṅgalasuttaṃ

Evaṃ me sutaṃ – ekaṃ samayaṃ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṃ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṃ jetavanaṃ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṃ abhivādetvā ekamantaṃ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṃ ṭhitā kho sā devatā bhagavantaṃ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi –

I have heard that at one time the Blessed One was staying in Savatthi at Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Then a certain deva, in the far extreme of the night, her extreme radiance lighting up the entirety of Jeta's Grove, approached the Blessed One. On approaching, having bowed down to the Blessed One, she stood to one side. As she stood to one side, she addressed him with a verse.

261.

‘‘Bahū devā manussā ca, maṅgalāni acintayuṃ;

Ākaṅkhamānā sotthānaṃ, brūhi maṅgalamuttamaṃ’’.

Many devas and human beings give thought to protection, desiring well-being. Tell, then, the highest protection.

262.

‘‘Asevanā ca bālānaṃ, paṇḍitānañca sevanā;

Pūjā ca pūjaneyyānaṃ [pūjanīyānaṃ (sī. syā. kaṃ. pī.)], etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.

The Buddha: Not consorting with fools, consorting with the wise, paying homage to those worthy of homage: This is the highest protection.

263.

‘‘Patirūpadesavāso ca, pubbe ca katapuññatā;

Attasammāpaṇidhi [attasammāpaṇīdhī (katthaci)] ca, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.

Living in a civilized land, having made merit in the past, directing oneself rightly: This is the highest protection.

264.

‘‘Bāhusaccañca sippañca, vinayo ca susikkhito;

Subhāsitā ca yā vācā, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.

Broad knowledge, skill, well-mastered discipline, well-spoken words: This is the highest protection.

265.

‘‘Mātāpitu upaṭṭhānaṃ, puttadārassa saṅgaho;

Anākulā ca kammantā, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.

Support for one's parents, assistance to one's wife and children, consistency in one's work: This is the highest protection.

266.

‘‘Dānañca dhammacariyā ca, ñātakānañca saṅgaho;

Anavajjāni kammāni, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.

Giving, living in rectitude, assistance to one's relatives, deeds that are blameless: This is the highest protection.

267.

‘‘Āratī viratī pāpā, majjapānā ca saṃyamo;

Appamādo ca dhammesu, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.

Avoiding, abstaining from evil; refraining from intoxicants, being heedful of the qualities of the mind: This is the highest protection.

268.

‘‘Gāravo ca nivāto ca, santuṭṭhi ca kataññutā;

Kālena dhammassavanaṃ [dhammasavaṇaṃ (katthaci), dhammasavanaṃ (sī. ka.)], etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.

Respect, humility, contentment, gratitude, hearing the Dhamma on timely occasions: This is the highest protection.

269.

‘‘Khantī ca sovacassatā, samaṇānañca dassanaṃ;

Kālena dhammasākacchā, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.

Patience, compliance, seeing contemplatives, discussing the Dhamma on timely occasions: This is the highest protection.

270.

‘‘Tapo ca brahmacariyañca, ariyasaccāna dassanaṃ;

Nibbānasacchikiriyā ca, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.

Austerity, celibacy, seeing the Noble Truths, realizing Unbinding: This is the highest protection.

271.

‘‘Phuṭṭhassa lokadhammehi, cittaṃ yassa na kampati;

Asokaṃ virajaṃ khemaṃ, etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.

A mind that, when touched by the ways of the world, is unshaken, sorrowless, dustless, at rest: This is the highest protection.

272.

‘‘Etādisāni katvāna, sabbatthamaparājitā;

Sabbattha sotthiṃ gacchanti, taṃ tesaṃ maṅgalamuttama’’nti.

Maṅgalasuttaṃ catutthaṃ niṭṭhitaṃ.

Everywhere undefeated when acting in this way, people go everywhere in well-being: This is their highest protection.

"The Khuddakapatha" (Khp 1-9), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight, June 7, 2009, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/khp/khp.1-9.than.html.