Sariputta | Suttapitaka | The Brahmin Vassakara Sariputta

The Brahmin Vassakara

Vassa­kāra[Vassa­kāra 2] (AN 4.187)

At one time The Blessed One was living in the squirrels' sanctuary in the bamboo grove in Rajagaha. Then the Brahmin Vassakara the chief minister of Magadha approached The Blessed One, exchanged friendly greetings, sat on a side and said:

Good Gotama, does a non noble man know a non noble one, as this good one is not noble?

Brahmin, it is not possible that a non noble man should know a non noble one, as this good one is not noble.

Good Gotama, does a non noble man know a noble one, as this good one is noble?

Brahmin, it is also not possible that a non noble man should know a noble one, as this good one is noble.

Good Gotama, does a noble man know a non noble one, as this good one is not noble?

Brahmin, it is possible that a noble man should know a non noble one, as this good one is not noble.

Good Gotama, does a noble man know a noble one, as this good one is noble?

Brahmin, it is possible that a noble man should know a noble one, as this good one is noble.

Good Gotama, these good words of Gotama are wonderful and surprising.

Brahmin, it is not possible that a non noble man should know a non noble one, as this good one is not noble. Brahmin, it is not possible that a non noble man should know a noble one, as this good one is noble. Brahmin, it is possible that a noble man should know a non noble one, as this good one is not noble. Brahmin, it is possible that a noble man should know a noble one, as this good one is noble.

Good Gotama, at one time the associates of the Brahmin Todeyya aroused a hostility to king Eleyya. King Eleyya is foolish that he is pleased with the recluse Ramaputta. He reveres the recluse Ramaputta in the form of worshipping, attending on, clasping the hands in veneration and maintaining a mutual understanding. The attendants of king Eleyya, Yamaka Moggalla, Ugga Navindaki, and Gandhabba Aggivessa too are foolish that they are pleased with the recluse Ramaputta. They revere the recluse Ramaputta in the form of worshipping, attending on, clasping the hands in veneration and maintaining a mutual understanding.

The Brahmin Todeyya leads the hostility thus- Good ones, do you think king Eleyya is wise in the management of his affairs, in the way he expresses himself, and in the way he attends to royal matters?

Yes, good one, king Eleyya is wise, the recluse Ramaputta advises him to manage his affairs wisely, to express himself well and attend to royal matters and king Eleyya is pleased with the recluse Ramaputta and he shows gratitude by worshipping him, attending on him, clasping the hands in veneration and maintaining a mutual understanding .

Good ones, do you think king Eleyya's associates Yamaka Moggalla, Ugga Navindaki and Gandhabba aggivessa are wise in the management of their affairs, in the way they express themselves, and in the way they attend to royal matters?

Yes, good one, king Eleyya's associates are wise, the recluse Ramaputta advises them to manage their affairs wisely, to express themselves well and to attend to royal matters and king Eleyya's associates are pleased with the recluse Ramaputta and they show gratitude by worshipping him, attending on him, clasping the hands in veneration and maintaining a mutual understanding.

Good Gotama, these good words of Gotama are wonderful and surprising.

Brahmin, it is not possible that a non noble man should know a non noble one, as this good one is not noble. Brahmin, it is not possible that a non noble man should know a noble one, as this good one is noble. Brahmin, it is possible that a noble man should know a non noble one, as this good one is not noble. Brahmin, it is possible that a noble man should know a noble one, as this good one is noble.

Good Gotama, now we have to go, there is much work to be done.

Brahmin, do as you think it is fit.

Then Vassakara the chief minsiter of Magadha pleased with the words of The Blessed One and accepting those words, got up from his seat and went away.

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