Ud 2.9
PTS: Ud 18
Visākhā Sutta: Visākhā
translated from the Pali by
Thanissaro Bhikkhu
Alternate format: [PDF icon]
X

The updated version is freely available at

This version of the text might be out of date. Please click here for more information

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Sāvatthī at the Eastern Monastery, the palace of Migāra's mother.[1] And on that occasion, Visākhā, Migāra's mother, had some dealings with King Pasenadi Kosala that he did not settle as she had wished. So in the middle of the day she went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As she was sitting there the Blessed One said to her, "Well now, Visākhā, where are you coming from in the middle of the day?"

"Just now, lord, I had some dealings with King Pasenadi Kosala that he did not settle as I had wished."

Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion exclaimed:

All subjection to others is painful. All independence is bliss. What is held in common brings suffering, for duties are hard to overcome.

Note

1.
According to the Commentary, Visākhā was actually Migāra's daughter, but because she introduced him to the Dhamma, she gained the epithet of being his mother.