Saɱyutta Nikāya
I. Sagatha Vagga
9. Vana Saɱyutta
Sutta 9
Vajji-Putta Suttaɱ
The Vajjian Princeling
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Proofed against and modified in accordance with the revised edition at dhammatalks.org
Provenance, terms and conditons
[9.1][pts] On one occasion a certain monk, a Vajjian princeling, was dwelling near Vesālī in a forest grove.
And on that occasion an all-night festival was being held in Vesālī.
The monk — lamenting as he heard the resounding din of wind music, string music, and gongs coming from Vesālī, on that occasion recited this verse:
"I live in the wilderness
all alone
like a log cast away in the forest.
On a night like this,
who could there be
more miserable
than me?"
Then the devatā inhabiting the forest thicket, feeling sympathy for the monk, desiring his benefit, desiring to bring him to his senses, approached him and addressed him with this verse:
"As you live in the wilderness all alone
like a log cast away in the forest,
many are those who envy you,
as hell-beings do,
those headed for heaven."
The monk, chastened by the devatā, came to his senses.
