Dhammapada Verse 213 - Visakha Vatthu

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Source: Adapted from the original translation by Daw Mya Tin, M.A.

Dhammapada Verse 213 - Visakha Vatthu
Pemato jayati soko

pemato jayati bhayam

pemato vippamuttassa

natthi soko kuto bhayam.

Verse 213: Endearment begets sorrow, endearment begets fear. For him who is free from endearment there is no sorrow; how can there be fear for him?

The Story of Visakha

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (213) of this book, with reference to Visakha, the renowned donor of the Pubbarama monastery.

One day, a granddaughter of Visakha named Sudatta died and Visakha felt very deeply about her loss and was sorrowing over the child's death. So she went to the Buddha; when the Buddha saw her, he said, "Visakha, don't you realize that many people die in Savatthi every day? If you were to regard all of them as you regard your own grandchild you would have to be endlessly weeping and mourning. Let not the death of a child affect you too much. Sorrow and fear arise out of endearment."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 213: Endearment begets sorrow, endearment begets fear. For him who is free from endearment there is no sorrow; how can there be fear for him?

Credits
Translated by Daw Mya Tin, M.A.

Edited by Editorial Committee, Burma Tipitaka Association Rangoon, Burma, 1986

Courtesy of Nibbana.com

For free distribution only, as a gift of dhamma.

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