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Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa

3.6.3 Parābhavasuttaṃ

The Causes of Downfall

Parābhavasuttaṃ	The Causes of Downfall
Evaṃ me sutaṃ – ekaṃ samayaṃ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṃ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṃ jetavanaṃ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṃ abhivādetvā ekamantaṃ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṃ ṭhitā kho sā devatā bhagavantaṃ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi –	Thus it has been heard by me: At a certain time the Bhagavā was dwelling at Jeta’s Grove in Anāthapindika’s Park near Sāvatti. Then indeed, when the night was far advanced, a certain deity, with surpassing hue, illuminating the whole of Jeta’s Grove, approached the Bhagavā and, having approached and respectfully greeted the Bhagavā, stood on one side. Having stood on one side the deity addressed the Bhagavā in a stanza:
‘‘Parābhavantaṃ purisaṃ, mayaṃ pucchāma gotama, Bhagavantaṃ, puṭṭhumāgamma, kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“Who is he, the man that goes to ruin? This we ask you, Gotama. We have come to the Bhagavā to ask: What is the cause of downfall for man?”
‘‘Suvijāno bhavaṃ hoti, suvijāno, parābhavo, Dhammakāmo bhavaṃ hoti, dhammadessī parābhav’	“Easy to know what leads to prosperity, Easy to know as well what leads to ruin, The prospering man likes righteousness. The one who hates righteousness goes to ruin.”
‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma, paṭhamo so parābhavo; Dutiyaṃ bhagavā brūhi, kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“This indeed do we know, That is the first cause of ruin. Bhagavā tell us the second now, What is the cause of the ruin for man?”
‘‘Asantassa piyā honti, sante na kurute piyaṃ, Asataṃ dhammaṃ roceti, taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“One who appreciates the company of the wicked, Finds no delight in the company of the virtuous, But gets attracted by the doctrine of the vicious. That is the cause of the ruin for man.”
‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma, dutiyo so parābhavo; Tatiyaṃ bhagavā brūhi, kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“This indeed do we know, That is the second cause of ruin. Bhagavā tell us the third now, What is the cause of the ruin for man?”
‘‘Niddāsīlī sabhāsīlī, anuṭṭhātā ca yo naro, Alaso kodhapaññāṇo, taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ’’	“Fond of sleep, fond of company - a blabbermouth, That man who is lethargic, Being lazy he has anger as his distinct sign. That is the cause of the ruin for man.”
‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma, tatiyo so parābhavo; Catutthaṃ bhagavā brūhi, kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“This indeed do we know, That is the third cause of ruin. Bhagavā tell us the fourth now, What is the cause of the ruin for man?”
‘‘Yo mātaraṃ vā pitaraṃ vā, jiṇṇakaṃ gatayobbanaṃ, Pahu santo na bharati, taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“He who, the mother or the father, Grown old, gone beyond youth, Himself being well to do, but does not support them. That is the cause of the ruin for man”.
‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma, catuttho so parābhavo; Pañcamaṃ bhagavā brūhi, kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“This indeed do we know, That is the fourth cause of ruin. Bhagavā tell us the now fifth, What is the cause of the ruin for man?”
‘‘Yo brāhmaṇaṃ vā samaṇaṃ vā, aññaṃ vāpi vanibbakaṃ, Musāvādena vañceti, taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ’’	“Whoever, whether Brahmin or recluse, Or any other spiritual mendicant, Deceives them by falsehood. That is the cause of the ruin for man”.
‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma, pañcamo so parābhavo; Chaṭṭhamaṃ bhagavā brūhi, kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“This indeed do we know, That is the fifth cause of ruin. Bhagavā tell us now the sixth, What is the cause of the ruin for man?”
‘‘Pahūtavitto puriso, sahirañño sabhojano, Eko bhuñjati sādūni, taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“With ample wealth, With gold and food delight, But one enjoys all these luxuries just by himself. That is the cause of the ruin for man”.
‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma, chaṭṭhamo so parābhavo; Sattamaṃ bhagavā brūhi, kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“This indeed do we know, That is the sixth cause of ruin. Bhagavā tell us the seventh now, What is the cause of the ruin for man?”
‘‘Jātitthaddho dhanatthaddho, gottatthaddho ca yo naro, Saññātiṃ atimaññeti, taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“Proud of birth or proud of wealth, Or conceited with his caste, that man, Despises one's own kinsmen. That is the cause of the ruin for man.”
‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma, sattamo so parābhavo; Aṭṭhamaṃ bhagavā brūhi, kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“This indeed do we know, That is the seventh cause of ruin. Bhagavā tell us the eighth now, What is the cause of the ruin for man?”
‘‘Itthidhutto surādhutto, akkhadhutto ca yo naro, Laddhaṃ laddhaṃ vināseti, taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“He is womanizer, a drunkard, And a gambler too, Such a one squanders all he has gained. That is the cause of the ruin for man.”
‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma, aṭṭhamo so parābhavo, Navamaṃ bhagavā brūhi, kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“This indeed do we know, That is the eighth cause of ruin. Bhagavā tell us now the ninth, What is the cause of the ruin for man?”
‘‘Sehi dārehi asantuṭṭho, vesiyāsu padissati, Dissati paradāresu, taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“Not contented with one's own wife, One is seen with harlots, and with courtesans, Also seen with the wives of others. That is the cause of the ruin for man.”
‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma, navamo so parābhavo; Dasamaṃ bhagavā brūhi, kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“This indeed do we know, That is the ninth cause of ruin. Bhagavā tell us now the tenth, What is the cause of the ruin for man?”
‘‘Atītayobbano poso, āneti timbarutthaniṃ, Tassā issā na supati, taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“Being gone past one's youth, Still he gets involved with a young wife, Out of jealousy because of her he can not get sleep. That is the cause of the ruin for man.”
‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma, dasamo so parābhavo; Ekādasamaṃ bhagavā brūhi, kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“This indeed do we know, That is the tenth cause of ruin. Bhagavā tell us the eleventh now, What is the cause of the ruin for man?”
‘‘Itthiṃ soṇḍiṃ vikiraṇiṃ, purisaṃ vāpi tādisaṃ, Issariyasmiṃ ṭhapeti, taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“He places in authority a woman that is Addicted to drinking and squandering, Or (places in authority) a man of a like behaviour. That is the cause of the ruin for man.”
‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma, ekādasamo so parābhavo; Dvādasamaṃ bhagavā brūhi, kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’	“This indeed do we know, That is the eleventh cause of ruin. Bhagavā tell us the twelfth now, What is the cause of the ruin for man?”
‘‘Appabhogo mahātaṇho, khattiye jāyate kule, So ca rajjaṃ patthayati, taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.	“Of slender means but vast ambition, Born in the royal clan, He craves for rulership. That is the cause of the ruin for man.
Ete parābhave loke, paṇḍito samavekkhiya, Ariyo dassanasampanno, sa lokaṃ bhajate siva’’nti.	Knowing well these causes that lead to downfall in the world The wise endowed with insight, Having well considered them all, Will associate with the happy realms.”

Evaṃ me sutaṃ – ekaṃ samayaṃ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṃ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṃ jetavanaṃ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṃ abhivādetvā ekamantaṃ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṃ ṭhitā kho sā devatā bhagavantaṃ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi –

Thus it has been heard by me: At a certain time the Bhagavā was dwelling at Jeta’s Grove in Anāthapindika’s Park near Sāvatti.

Then indeed, when the night was far advanced, a certain deity, with surpassing hue, illuminating the whole of Jeta’s Grove, approached the Bhagavā and, having approached and respectfully greeted the Bhagavā, stood on one side. Having stood on one side the deity addressed the Bhagavā in a stanza:

‘‘Parābhavantaṃ purisaṃ,

mayaṃ pucchāma gotama,

Bhagavantaṃ, puṭṭhumāgamma,

kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“Who is he, the man that goes to ruin?

This we ask you, Gotama.

We have come to the Bhagavā to ask:

What is the cause of downfall for man?”

‘‘Suvijāno bhavaṃ hoti,

suvijāno, parābhavo,

Dhammakāmo bhavaṃ hoti, dhammadessī parābhav’

“Easy to know what leads to prosperity,

Easy to know as well what leads to ruin,

The prospering man likes righteousness.

The one who hates righteousness goes to ruin.”

‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma,

paṭhamo so parābhavo;

Dutiyaṃ bhagavā brūhi,

kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“This indeed do we know,

That is the first cause of ruin.

Bhagavā tell us the second now,

What is the cause of the ruin for man?”

‘‘Asantassa piyā honti,

sante na kurute piyaṃ,

Asataṃ dhammaṃ roceti,

taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“One who appreciates the company of the wicked,

Finds no delight in the company of the virtuous,

But gets attracted by the doctrine of the vicious.

That is the cause of the ruin for man.”

‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma,

dutiyo so parābhavo;

Tatiyaṃ bhagavā brūhi,

kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“This indeed do we know,

That is the second cause of ruin.

Bhagavā tell us the third now,

What is the cause of the ruin for man?”

‘‘Niddāsīlī sabhāsīlī,

anuṭṭhātā ca yo naro,

Alaso kodhapaññāṇo,

taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ’’

“Fond of sleep, fond of company - a blabbermouth,

That man who is lethargic,

Being lazy he has anger as his distinct sign.

That is the cause of the ruin for man.”

‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma,

tatiyo so parābhavo;

Catutthaṃ bhagavā brūhi,

kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“This indeed do we know,

That is the third cause of ruin.

Bhagavā tell us the fourth now,

What is the cause of the ruin for man?”

‘‘Yo mātaraṃ vā pitaraṃ vā,

jiṇṇakaṃ gatayobbanaṃ,

Pahu santo na bharati,

taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“He who, the mother or the father,

Grown old, gone beyond youth,

Himself being well to do, but does not support them.

That is the cause of the ruin for man”.

‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma,

catuttho so parābhavo;

Pañcamaṃ bhagavā brūhi,

kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“This indeed do we know,

That is the fourth cause of ruin.

Bhagavā tell us the now fifth,

What is the cause of the ruin for man?”

‘‘Yo brāhmaṇaṃ vā samaṇaṃ vā, aññaṃ vāpi vanibbakaṃ,

Musāvādena vañceti,

taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ’’

“Whoever, whether Brahmin or recluse,

Or any other spiritual mendicant,

Deceives them by falsehood.

That is the cause of the ruin for man”.

‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma,

pañcamo so parābhavo;

Chaṭṭhamaṃ bhagavā brūhi,

kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“This indeed do we know,

That is the fifth cause of ruin.

Bhagavā tell us now the sixth,

What is the cause of the ruin for man?”

‘‘Pahūtavitto puriso,

sahirañño sabhojano,

Eko bhuñjati sādūni,

taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“With ample wealth,

With gold and food delight,

But one enjoys all these luxuries just by himself.

That is the cause of the ruin for man”.

‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma,

chaṭṭhamo so parābhavo;

Sattamaṃ bhagavā brūhi,

kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“This indeed do we know,

That is the sixth cause of ruin.

Bhagavā tell us the seventh now,

What is the cause of the ruin for man?”

‘‘Jātitthaddho dhanatthaddho, gottatthaddho ca yo naro,

Saññātiṃ atimaññeti,

taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“Proud of birth or proud of wealth,

Or conceited with his caste, that man,

Despises one's own kinsmen.

That is the cause of the ruin for man.”

‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma,

sattamo so parābhavo;

Aṭṭhamaṃ bhagavā brūhi,

kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“This indeed do we know,

That is the seventh cause of ruin.

Bhagavā tell us the eighth now,

What is the cause of the ruin for man?”

‘‘Itthidhutto surādhutto,

akkhadhutto ca yo naro,

Laddhaṃ laddhaṃ vināseti,

taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“He is womanizer, a drunkard,

And a gambler too,

Such a one squanders all he has gained.

That is the cause of the ruin for man.”

‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma,

aṭṭhamo so parābhavo,

Navamaṃ bhagavā brūhi,

kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“This indeed do we know,

That is the eighth cause of ruin.

Bhagavā tell us now the ninth,

What is the cause of the ruin for man?”

‘‘Sehi dārehi asantuṭṭho,

vesiyāsu padissati,

Dissati paradāresu,

taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“Not contented with one's own wife,

One is seen with harlots, and with courtesans,

Also seen with the wives of others.

That is the cause of the ruin for man.”

‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma,

navamo so parābhavo;

Dasamaṃ bhagavā brūhi,

kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“This indeed do we know,

That is the ninth cause of ruin.

Bhagavā tell us now the tenth,

What is the cause of the ruin for man?”

‘‘Atītayobbano poso,

āneti timbarutthaniṃ,

Tassā issā na supati,

taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“Being gone past one's youth,

Still he gets involved with a young wife,

Out of jealousy because of her he can not get sleep.

That is the cause of the ruin for man.”

‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma,

dasamo so parābhavo;

Ekādasamaṃ bhagavā brūhi,

kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“This indeed do we know,

That is the tenth cause of ruin.

Bhagavā tell us the eleventh now,

What is the cause of the ruin for man?”

‘‘Itthiṃ soṇḍiṃ vikiraṇiṃ,

purisaṃ vāpi tādisaṃ,

Issariyasmiṃ ṭhapeti,

taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“He places in authority a woman that is

Addicted to drinking and squandering,

Or (places in authority) a man of a like behaviour.

That is the cause of the ruin for man.”

‘‘Iti hetaṃ vijānāma,

ekādasamo so parābhavo;

Dvādasamaṃ bhagavā brūhi,

kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.’’

“This indeed do we know,

That is the eleventh cause of ruin.

Bhagavā tell us the twelfth now,

What is the cause of the ruin for man?”

‘‘Appabhogo mahātaṇho,

khattiye jāyate kule,

So ca rajjaṃ patthayati,

taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.

“Of slender means but vast ambition,

Born in the royal clan,

He craves for rulership.

That is the cause of the ruin for man.

Ete parābhave loke,

paṇḍito samavekkhiya,

Ariyo dassanasampanno,

sa lokaṃ bhajate siva’’nti.

Knowing well these causes that lead to downfall in the world

The wise endowed with insight,

Having well considered them all,

Will associate with the happy realms.”

Uragavaggo, Suttanipātapāḷi, Khuddakanikāye