English translation
3.3.12 Who Is Dearer than Oneself?*
Thus has been heard by me. At one time the Bhagavā was dwelling at Sāvatthi in the pleasure park of Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s grove.
At that time King Pasenadi from Kosala and his queen, Mallika, had gone together to the top of the royal palace. At that time the Kosala King Pasenadi asked his Queen Mallika thus:
“Queen Mallika, is there anyone else dearer to you than yourself?” “There is indeed no one dearer to me, great King, than myself.”
“And to you, great King, is there anyone dearer to you than yourself?”
“Neither to me, Mallika, is there anyone else dearer to me than myself.”
Then the King Pasenadi of Kosala descended from his palace and approached the Bhagavā. Having approached the Bhagavā, he respectfully greeted him, prostrated himself and sat down on one side. Having sat down on one side, King Pasenadi addressed the Bhagavā thus:
“Just today, Bhante, having gone to the top of the royal palace together with Queen Mallika, I spoke to the Queen thus: “Queen Mallika, is there anyone else dearer to you than yourself?” Having said thus, Queen Mallika replied to me: “There is indeed no one to me dearer, great King, than myself.”
“And great King, is there anyone dearer to you than yourself?”
Having said this, I replied to Queen Mallika: “Neither to me, Mallika, is there anyone else dearer to me than myself.”
Having realised the significance of this meaning, the Bhagavā uttered at that occasion following exclamation:
Having explored all directions with the mind
One would not find anywhere, anyone dearer than oneself.
In the same way this Oneself is dearer to anyone else too
Therefore, do not harm anyone because likewise they are dear to themselves.
* Piyatarasuttaṃ: piya + tara + suttaṃ – dear + more + suttaṃ.