“The Bāhuka & the Adhikakkā,
the Gayā, the Sundarikā,
the Sarassati & the Payāga,
and also the Bāhumati:
A fool,
even if he bathes there constantly,
wouldn’t cleanse
a dark deed.
What can the Sundarikā do?
What the Payāga? What the Bāhuka?
A person of animosity,
one who’s done wrong,
cannot be cleansed there
of evil deeds.
But for one who is pure,
it’s always the Phaggu festival;
for one who is pure,
always the uposatha.
For one who is pure, clean in his deeds,
his practices always
reach consummation.
Bathe right here, brahman.
Create safety for yourself
with regard to all beings.
If you
don’t tell a lie,
don’t harm living beings,
don’t take what’s not given,
if you have conviction
& are free from stinginess,
what would you gain
from going to the Gayā?
Even a well
would be Gayā for you.”
Notes
1. The Commentary notes that competitiveness can be skillful if one is trying to excel in developing skillful qualities. See also the discussion of conceit at AN 4:159.
2. Odhi, “within a limit.” According to the Commentary, this describes the attainment of one of any of the three lower levels of awakening. These defilements are abandoned totally only at arahantship.
3. Saññāgata. See MN 121.
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