Indaka Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

1. At one time the Blessed One was living in Rajagaha on the Indakuta rock, the home of the non-human Indaka.

2. Then the non-human Indaka approached the Blessed One and said this stanza:


 * "The Enlightened Ones say, there is no life in matter.
 * When there is no strength, how is the body to know?
 * How is a skeleton formed for him?
 * And without strength what clings in the womb?"

3. "First there is the suitable soil. In it there is a swelling
 * In the swelling rises a lump of flesh.
 * The lump of flesh becomes a hard mass.
 * Then major and minor limbs arise in the hard mass.
 * And hair of the head and body and nails arise.
 * He is nourished with the eatables and drinks eaten by the mother.
 * Thus the man gone to the mother's womb is nourished