Sacrifice

1. The origin is in Sàvatthi.

2. At that time king Pasenadi of Kosala was to make a great sacrifice and five hundred bulls, five hundred young calves, five hundred young cows, five hundred goats and five hundred pigs, were fixed to posts for the sacrifice.

3. Even the slaves, messengers and workmen were made to work under pressure and punishment and they attended to their work frightened with tearing eyes.

4. Many bhikkhus putting on robes in the morning, and taking bowls and robes entered Sàvatthi for the alms round. After going the alms round and when the meal was over and returning from the alms round they approached the Blessed One, worshipped, sat on a side and said to the Blessed One:

5. "Veneràble sir, king Pasenadi of Kosala, has to offer a great sacrifice and five hundred bulls, five hundred young calves, five hundred young cows, five hundred goats and five hundred pigs, are fixed to posts for the sacrifice.

Even the slaves, messengers and workmen are made to work under pressure and punishment and they attended to their work frightened with tearing eyes."

6. The Blessed One knowing the deep meaning, said these stanzas that moment.

"Horse sacrifices, human sacrifices, instruments and verbal mutterings,
Huge plantain trees, bearing fruit destroying these are no good.
There, goats, sheep and cattle are vividly killed,
Those are not the sacrifices, which great sages approach.
Sacrifices without trouble, where it is always pleasant
Where, goats, sheep and cattle are not vividly killed,
They are the rightful sacrifices, which great sages approach.
The wise make such sacrifices and they are of great fruit
In such sacrifices even the gods delight.