Dhammapada 2.2.p1

2.2.p1

Uṭṭhānavatoti imaṃ dhammadesanaṃ satthā veḷuvane viharanto kumbhaghosakaṃ ārabbha kathesi. Rājagahanagarasmiñhi rājagahaseṭṭhino gehe ahivātarogo uppajji, tasmiṃ uppanne makkhikā ādiṃ katvā yāva gāvā paṭhamaṃ tiracchānagatā maranti, tato dāsakammakaro, sabbapacchā gehasāmikā, tasmā so rogo sabbapacchā seṭṭhiñca jāyañca gaṇhi. Te rogena phuṭṭhā puttaṃ santike ṭhitaṃ oloketvā assupuṇṇehi nettehi taṃ āhaṃsu – ‘‘tāta, imasmiṃ kira roge uppanne bhittiṃ bhinditvā palāyantāva jīvitaṃ labhanti, tvaṃ amhe anoloketvā palāyitvā jīvanto punāgantvā amhākaṃ asukaṭṭhāne nāma cattālīsa dhanakoṭiyo nidahitvā ṭhapitā, tā uddharitvā jīvikaṃ kappeyyāsī’’ti. So tesaṃ vacanaṃ sutvā rudamāno mātāpitaro vanditvā maraṇabhayabhīto bhittiṃ bhinditvā palāyitvā pabbatagahanaṃ gantvā dvādasa vassāni tattha vasitvā mātāpituvasanaṭṭhānaṃ paccāgañchi.

*If a man exert himself.* This religious instruction was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Veḷuvana with reference to Kumbhaghosaka.

For once upon a time the plague broke out at Rājagaha in the house of the principal treasurer of Rājagaha. When the plague breaks out, animals, from flies to cattle, are the first to die; after them, slaves; after them, the master and mistress of a household. So this disease attacked last of all the treasurer and his wife. As soon as they felt the first touch of the disease, they looked at their son, who stood near, and with eyes filled with tears said to him, “Dear son, as we know, when this disease breaks out, only those who break down the wall and flee succeed in saving their lives. Therefore have no consideration for us, but make your escape. Having thus saved your life, come back again, and in such and such a place you will find buried in the

earth forty crores of treasure. Dig up the treasure and live on the money.” When the son heard his parents speak thus, he wept aloud, bade farewell to his mother and father, and terrified with the fear of death, broke down the wall and fled. Seeking refuge in a certain mountain jungle, he dwelt there for twelve years, and then returned.