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### Samyutta Nikaya IX.6

# Anuruddha Sutta

# Anuruddha

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
For free distribution only.

I have heard that on one occasion Ven. Anuruddha was dwelling among the Kosalans in a forest thicket. Now at that time, a devata from the retinue of the heaven of the Thirty-three named Jalini, one of Ven. Anuruddha's former consorts, went to him and, on arrival, addressed him with this verse:

> Direct your mind
> to where you used to live,
> among the devas of the Thirty-three,
> empowered
> with all sensual pleasures.
> Honored, surrounded
> by deva maidens,
> you
> will shine.

[Ven. Anuruddha:]

> They've gone astray,
> deva maidens
> established in self-identity.
> And they've gone astray,
> those beings with deva maidens
> as their aim.

[Jalini:]

> They don't know bliss
> who haven't seen Nandana,
> abode of the eminent devas,
> glorious,
> of the Thirty-three.

[Ven. Anuruddha:]

> You fool, don't you know
> the arahants' maxim? --
> 'How inconstant are compounded things!
> Their nature: to arise & pass away.
> They disband as they are arising.
> Their total stilling is bliss.'

> Jalini, there is now
> in deva company
> no further abode
> [for me].
> With the utter ending
> of wandering on in birth,
> there is now
> no further becoming.

See also: SN V.7; SN VI.15.

Revised: Wed 16 May 2001