Verses on Dhamma 11.1.146_4

11.1.146_4

Satthā tāsaṃ acalasaddhāya patiṭṭhitabhāvaṃ ñatvā sinerumatthakā otaritvā buddhāsane nisīdi. Atha naṃ visākhā āha – ‘‘bhante, surā nāmesā pāpikā. Evarūpā hi nāma imā itthiyo tumhādisassa buddhassa purato nisīditvā iriyāpathamattampi saṇṭhāpetuṃ asakkontiyo uṭṭhāya pāṇiṃ paharitvā hasanagītanaccādīni ārabhiṃsū’’ti. Satthā ‘‘āma, visākhe, pāpikā eva esā surā nāma. Etañhi nissāya aneke sattā anayabyasanaṃ pattā’’ti vatvā ‘‘kadā panesā, bhante, uppannā’’ti vutte tassā uppattiṃ vitthārena kathetuṃ atītaṃ āharitvā kumbhajātakaṃ (jā. 1.16.33 ādayo) kathesīti.

The Teacher, knowing that the women were established in faith that cannot be shaken, descended from the summit of Mount Sineru and seated himself in the Seat of the Buddha. Thereupon Visākhā said to him, "Verily strong drink is an evil thing. Women of such quality as these women, seating themselves before a Buddha like you, were unable to control their movements, but springing to their feet, clapped their hands and began to laugh and sing and dance." The Teacher replied, "Yes, Visākhā, strong drink is indeed an evil thing, for because of it numberless living beings have come to distress and unhappiness." "But, Reverend Sir, at what time did this episode have its beginning?" In response to this question the Teacher, desiring to relate in detail the circumstances that led to this episode, told a Story of the Past, relating the Kumbha Jātaka.