Mahagovindasutta 47.1-43

47.1

Atha kho, bho, mahāgovindo brāhmaṇo yena reṇu rājā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā reṇuṃ rājānaṃ etadavoca:

So the Great Steward went to King Reṇu and said,

47.2

“aññaṃ dāni bhavaṃ purohitaṃ pariyesatu, yo bhoto rajjaṃ anusāsissati.

“Worthy sir, please now find another high priest to manage the affairs of state for you.

47.3

Icchāmahaṃ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyaṃ pabbajituṃ.

I wish to go forth from the lay life to homelessness.

47.4

Yathā kho pana me sutaṃ brahmuno āmagandhe bhāsamānassa, te na sunimmadayā agāraṃ ajjhāvasatā.

As I understand what the Divinity says about putrefaction, it’s not easy to quell while living at home.

47.5

Pabbajissāmahaṃ, bho, agārasmā anagāriyan”ti.

I shall go forth from the lay life to homelessness.

47.6

“Āmantayāmi rājānaṃ,

I announce to King Reṇu,

47.7

reṇuṃ bhūmipatiṃ ahaṃ;

the lord of the land:

47.8

Tvaṃ pajānassu rajjena,

you must learn how to rule,

47.9

nāhaṃ porohicce rame”.

for I no longer care for my ministry.”

47.10

“Sace te ūnaṃ kāmehi,

“If you’re lacking any pleasures,

47.11

ahaṃ paripūrayāmi te;

I’ll supply them for you.

47.12

Yo taṃ hiṃsati vāremi,

I’ll protect you from any harm,

47.13

bhūmisenāpati ahaṃ;

for I command the nation’s army.

47.14

Tuvaṃ pitā ahaṃ putto,

You are my father, I am your son!

47.15

mā no govinda pājahi”.

O Steward, please don’t leave!”

47.16

“Namatthi ūnaṃ kāmehi,

“I’m lacking no pleasures,

47.17

hiṃsitā me na vijjati;

and no one is harming me.

47.18

Amanussavaco sutvā,

I’ve heard a non-human voice,

47.19

tasmāhaṃ na gahe rame”.

so I no longer care for lay life.”

47.20

“Amanusso kathaṃvaṇṇo,

“What was that non-human like?

47.21

kiṃ te atthaṃ abhāsatha;

What did he say to you,

47.22

Yañca sutvā jahāsi no,

hearing which you would abandon

47.23

gehe amhe ca kevalī”.

our house and all our people?”

47.24

“Upavutthassa me pubbe,

“Before entering this retreat,

47.25

yiṭṭhukāmassa me sato;

I only liked to sacrifice.

47.26

Aggi pajjalito āsi,

I kindled the sacred flame,

47.27

kusapattaparitthato.

strewn about with kusa grass.

47.28

Tato me brahmā pāturahu,

But then the Divinity the Eternal Youth

47.29

brahmalokā sanantano;

appeared to me from the realm of divinity.

47.30

So me pañhaṃ viyākāsi,

He answered my question,

47.31

taṃ sutvā na gahe rame”.

hearing which I no longer care for lay life.”

47.32

“Saddahāmi ahaṃ bhoto,

“I have faith, O Steward,

47.33

yaṃ tvaṃ govinda bhāsasi;

in that of which you speak.

47.34

Amanussavaco sutvā,

Having heard a non-human voice,

47.35

kathaṃ vattetha aññathā.

what else could you do?

47.36

Te taṃ anuvattissāma,

We will follow your example,

47.37

satthā govinda no bhavaṃ;

Steward, be my Teacher!

47.38

Maṇi yathā veḷuriyo,

Like a gem of beryl—

47.39

akāco vimalo subho;

flawless, immaculate, beautiful—

47.40

Evaṃ suddhā carissāma,

that’s how pure we shall live,

47.41

govindassānusāsaneti.

in the Steward’s dispensation.

47.42

Sace bhavaṃ govindo agārasmā anagāriyaṃ pabbajissati, mayampi agārasmā anagāriyaṃ pabbajissāma.

If the Steward is going forth from the lay life to homelessness, we shall do so too. Your destiny shall be ours.”

47.43

Atha yā te gati, sā no gati bhavissatī”ti.