The arabha Stra

(Also known as the Sarabha sutta)

A Sanskrit text, a Pli version and an English translation

Reference:
64: Sarabha Sutta, I.185
PTS: Sarabha i-vi, I.167
WP: 64. Sarabha, 272
CS: 65. 4 Sarabhasutta, Aguttara Nikya (7) 2. Mahvaggo
The Sayukta gama ("Connected Discourses", Z Ahnjng Taish 2.99)
N. Hosoda, ['Sanskrit Fragments from the Parivrjakasayukta of the Sayuktgama (3)'], Hokkaido Journal of Indological and Buddhist Studies 6 (1991),
pp. 172-191.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------PTS: The Pali Text Society, The Book of the Gradual Sayings (Aguttara Nikya)
WP: The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: a translation of the Aguttara Nikaya / translated from the Pali language by Bhikkhu Bodhi. p. 277
CS: Chaha Sagyana CD-ROM-u, 3rd rev. edition., Igatpuri, India , 1999

Sanskrit

Pli

English

arabha

64. Sarabhasutta

64 Sarabha

Sayukta gama

Aguttara Nikya 3 (7. Mahvagga)

The Book of the Threes (Aguttara Nikya)

1. // bhagavn rjaghe viharati

Eva me suta eka samaya bhagav

On one occasion the Blessed One was

veuvane kalandakanivpe. tena

rjagahe viharati gijjhake pabbate. Tena

dwelling at Rjagaha on Mount Vulture Peak.

khalu samayena tasmin rjaghe

kho pana samayena sarabho nma

Now on that occasion a wanderer named

arabho nma parivrjaka

paribbjako acirapakkanto hoti imasm

prativasati sumgadhy

dhammavinay. So rjagahe parisati eva

pukarays tre. ....... sa eva

vca bhsati: ato may samana

pariadi vca bhate. jto

sakyaputtikna dhammo. Aya ca

me raman

panha samana sakyaputtikna

kyaputry dharma.

dhamma evha tasm dhammavinay

jyaivha tasmd

apakkantoti. Atha kho sambahul bhikkh

dharmavinayd apakrnta.

pubbahasamaya nivsetv pattacvara-

2. atha sabahul bhikava

mdya rjagaha piya pavisisu.

prvhne nivsya ptracvaram

Assosu kho te bhikkh sarabhassa

dya rjagha piya

paribbjakassa rjagahe parisati eva

prvian. arauu sabahul

vca bhsamnassa: ato may

statement to an assembly in Rjagaha.

bhikavo rjagha piya

samana sakyaputtikna dhammo.

When those bhikkhus had walked for alms in

caranta. asmi rjaghe

Aya ca panha samana sakyaput-

Rjagaha, after their meal, when they

arabho nma parivrjaka

tikna dhamma evha tasm

returned from their alms round, they

prativasati. sa eva pariadi

dhammavinay apakkantoti.

approached the Blessed One, paid homage

vca bhate. prvavat. rutv

Sarabha had recently left this Dhamma and

discipline. He had been telling an assembly
in Rjagaha: I have learned the Dhamma of
the ascetics who follow the Sakyan son. After
I learned their Dhamma, I left that Dhamma
and discipline.

Then, one morning, a number of bhikkhus

dressed, took their bowls and robes, and
entered Rjagaha for alms. They then heard
the wanderer Sarabha making such a

to him, sat down to one side, and said to

ca punar rjagha piya

Atha kho te bhikkh rjagahe piya caritv

caritv ktabhaktakty

pacchbhatta piaptapaikkant yena

pacdbhaktapiapta

bhagav tenupasakamisu; upasakamitv

pratikrnt ptracvara

bhagavanta abhivdetv ekamanta

pratiamya pdau praklya yena

nisdisu. Ekamanta nisinn kho te bhikkh

bhagavs tenopajagmu.

bhagavanta etadavocu: sarabho nma,

who follow the Sakyan son. After I learned

upetya bhagavatpdau iras

bhante, paribbjako acirapakkanto imasm

their Dhamma, I left that Dhamma and

vanditv eknte nyadan.

dhammavinay. So rjagahe parisati eva

discipline. It would be good, Bhante, if the

ektania sabahul

vca bhsati: ato may samana

Blessed One would go to the wanderers

bhikavo bhagavantam idam

sakyaputtikna dhammo. Aya ca

park on the bank of the Sappinik river and,

avocan.

panha samana sakyaputtikna

out of compassion, approach the wanderer

3. iha vaya bhadanta

dhamma evha tasm dhammavinay

sabahul bhikava prvhe

apakkantoti. Sdhu, bhante, bhagav yena

nivsya ptracvaram dya

sippiniktra paribbjakrmo yena sarabho

rjagha piya prvima.

paribbjako tenupasakamatu anukampa

arauma vaya sabahul

updyti. Adhivsesi bhagav

bhikavo rjagha piya

tuhbhvena.

him:
Bhante, the wanderer Sarabha, who
recently left this Dhamma and discipline, has
been telling an assembly in Rjagaha: I
have learned the Dhamma of the ascetics

Sarabha. The Blessed One consented by

silence.

caranta. asmi rjaghe

arabho nma parivrjaka

Atha kho bhagav syanhasamaya

prativasati. sa eva pariadi

paisalln vuhito yena sippiniktra parib-

vca bhate. prvavat. sdhu

bjakrmo yena sarabho paribbjako

bhagavn yena sumgadhy

tenupasakami; upasakamitv paatte

Sappinik river. He approached the

pukarays tra

sane nisdi. Nisajja kho bhagav sarabha

wanderer Sarabha, sat down on the seat that

tenopasakrameta anukampm

paribbjaka etadavoca: sacca kira tva,

was prepared for him, and said to him: Is it

updya. adhivsayati bhagavn

sarabha, eva vadesi: ato may

true, Sarabha, that you have been saying: I

sabahuln bhik

samana sakyaputtikna dhammo.

have learned the Dhamma of the ascetics

Aya ca panha samana sakyaput-

who follow the Sakyan son. After I learned

Then, in the evening, the Blessed One

emerged from seclusion and went to the
wanderers park on the bank of the

tbhavena.

tikna dhamma evha tasm

their Dhamma, I left that Dhamma and

4. atha bhagavn syhne

dhammavinay apakkantoti? Eva vutte,

discipline? When this was said, the

pratisalayand vyutthya yena

sarabho paribbjako tuh ahosi.

wanderer Sarabha was silent.

arabha parivrjaka

A second time the Blessed One said to the

sumgadhy pukarays tre

Dutiyampi kho bhagav sarabha

tenopajagma. adrkc

paribbjaka etadavoca: vadehi, sarabha,

charabha parivrjako

kinti te ato samana sakyaputtikna

bhagavanta drata eva. dv

dhammo? Sace te aparipra bhavissati,

ca punar bhagavato

aha paripressmi. Sace pana te

complete it. But if you have learned it

'rthysana prajapayaty eva

paripra bhavissati, aha anumodissmti.

completely, I will rejoice. But a second time

cha. nidat bhagavn

Dutiyampi kho sarabho paribbjako tuh

the wanderer Sarabha was silent.

prajapta evsane. nyadad

ahosi.

bhagavn prajapta evsane.

niadya bhagav arabha
parivrjakam idam avocat.
5. satya khalu tva arabha,

eva vadasi. jto me

raman kyaputry
dharma. jyaivha tasmd
dharmavinayd apakrnta.
6. evam ukta arabha

parivrjaka tm evbht.
........ tva arabha kim asi
t. sacet te paripra

bhaviyati vayam
anumodayiyma. sacet te

Tatiyampi kho bhagav sarabha

paribbjaka etadavoca: yo kho, sarabha,
payati samana sakyaputtikna

wanderer Sarabha: Tell me, Sarabha, how

have you learned the Dhamma of the
ascetics who follow the Sakyan son? If you
have not learned it completely, I will

A third time the Blessed One said to the

wanderer Sarabha: Tell me, Sarabha, how
have you learned the Dhamma of the

dhammo vadehi, sarabha, kinti te ato

ascetics who follow the Sakyan son? If you

samana sakyaputtikna dhammo?

have not learned it completely, I will

Sace te aparipra bhavissati, aha

complete it. But if you have learned it

paripressmi. Sace pana te paripra

completely, I will rejoice. But a third time the

bhavissati, aha anumodissmti. Tatiyampi

wanderer Sarabha was silent.

kho sarabho paribbjako tuh ahosi.

Atha kho te paribbjak sarabha
paribbjaka etadavocu: yadeva kho
tva, vuso sarabha, samaa gotama
yceyysi tadeva te samao gotamo

Then those wanderers said to the wanderer

Sarabha: The ascetic Gotama has offered to
give you whatever you might ask him for,
friend Sarabha. Speak, friend Sarabha! How

aparipra bhaviyati vaya te

pavreti. Vadehvuso sarabha, kinti te

have you learned the Dhamma of the

pariprayiyma. apdn

ato samana sakyaputtikna

ascetics who follow the Sakyan son? If you

arabha parivrjako ..... tm

dhammo? Sace te aparipra bhavissati,

have not learned it completely, the ascetic

evbht. dvir api trir api arabha

samao gotamo paripressati. Sace pana te

parivrjaka tm evbht.

paripra bhavissati, samao gotamo

7. atha arabhasya

anumodissatti. Eva vutte, sarabho

parivrjakasya svak

paribbjako tuhbhto makubhto

sabrahmacria arabha

pattakkhandho adhomukho pajjhyanto

parivrjakam idam avocan. yad

appaibhno nisdi.

and speechless.

upasakramyeyaiva tad eva te

Atha kho bhagav sarabha paribbjaka

Then the Blessed One, having understood

ramaa gautama

tuhbhta makubhta pattakkhandha

that the wanderer Sarabha sat silenced,

upasakramyaiva vadati

adhomukha pajjhyanta appaibhna

vykuru vykuru ... sacet te

viditv te paribbjake etadavoca:

eva tva ramaa gautamam

paripra bhaviyati vayam

anumodayiyma sacet te
aparipra bhaviyati vaya te
pariprayiyma. tva
arabha kim asi t. ...
apdn arabha parivrjako ...
tm evbhd dvir api trir api
arabha parivrjaka tm
evbht.
8. atha bhagavn arabha

parivrjakam idam avocat. yo me

saced eva vadet, na

Yo kho ma, paribbjak, eva vadeyya:

sammsambuddhassa te paijnato ime

Gotama will complete it for you. But if you

have learned it completely, he will rejoice.
When this was said, the wanderer Sarabha
sat silenced, disconcerted, hunched over,
downcast, glum,

disconcerted, hunched over, downcast,

glum, and speechless, said to those
wanderers:
(1) Wanderers, if anyone should say about
me: Though you claim to be perfectly

dhamm anabhisambuddhti, tamaha

enlightened, you are not fully enlightened

tattha sdhuka samanuyujeyya

about these things, I might question him

samanugheyya samanubhseyya. So

closely about this matter, interrogate him,

vata may sdhuka samanuyujiyamno

and cross-examine him. When he is being

samanughiyamno samanubhsiyamno

closely questioned by me, interrogated, and

ahnameta anavakso ya so tia

hnna natara hna nigaccheyya,
aena v aa paicarissati, bahiddh

cross-examined, it is impossible and

inconceivable that he would not incur one or
another of three consequences: he would
either answer evasively and divert the

katha apanmessati, kopaca dosaca

discussion to an irrelevant subject; or display

appaccayaca ptukarissati, tuhbhto

anger, hatred, and bitterness; or would sit

ramaasya gautamasya

makubhto pattakkhandho adhomukho

silenced, disconcerted, hunched over,

tathgata samyaksabuddhas.

pajjhyanto appaibhno nisdissati,

downcast, glum, and speechless, just like the

tam aha sdhu ca suhu ca

seyyathpi sarabho paribbjako.

wanderer Sarabha.

samanuyujy samanughy.

(2) If, wanderers, anyone should say about

tasya sdhu ca suhu ca

Yo kho ma, paribbjak, eva vadeyya:

samanuyujyamnasya

khsavassa te paijnato ime sav

samanughyamnasya,

aparikkhti, tamaha tattha sdhuka

anyennya pratisareta bahirdh

samanuyujeyya samanugheyya sama-

... kopa ca doa cpratyaya

nubhseyya. So vata may sdhuka

and cross-examine him. When he is being

ca prdukuryt. ... tbhto

samanuyujiyamno samanughiyamno

closely questioned by me, interrogated, and

v syn madgubhta

samanubhsiyamno ahnameta

cross-examined, it is impossible and

srastaskandha, adhomukho

anavakso ya so tia hnna

inconceivable that he would not incur one or

nipratibhna

natara hna nigaccheyya, aena v

another of three consequences: he would

pradhynaparama tadyath

aa paicarissati, bahiddh katha

tvam etarhi arabha.

apanmessati, kopaca dosaca

9. yo me saced eva vadet* na

appaccayaca ptukarissati, tuhbhto

ramaasya gautamasya

makubhto pattakkhandho adhomukho

downcast, glum, and speechless, just like the

dharmavinaya, tam aha sdhu

pajjhyanto appaibhno nisdissati,

wanderer Sarabha.

ca suhu ca samanuyujy

seyyathpi sarabho paribbjako.

samanughy. prvavad yvat

tadyath tvam etarhi arabha. yo
me saced eva vadet, na

ramaasya gautamasya
rvaka supratipanna, tam
aha sdhu ca suu ca
samanuyujy samanughy

me: Though you claim to be one whose

taints are destroyed, you have not fully
destroyed these taints, I might question him
closely about this matter, interrogate him,

either answer evasively and divert the

discussion to an irrelevant subject; or display
anger, hatred, and bitterness; or would sit
silenced, disconcerted, hunched over,

(3) If, wanderers, anyone should say about

Yo kho ma, paribbjak, eva vadeyya:

me: The Dhamma does not lead one who

yassa kho pana te atthya dhammo desito,

practices it to the complete destruction of

so na niyyti takkarassa samm

suffering, the goal for the sake of which you

dukkhakkhayyti, tamaha tattha

sdhuka samanuyujeyya
samanugheyya samanubhseyya. So
vata may sdhuka samanuyujiyamno

teach it, I might question him closely about

this matter, interrogate him, and crossexamine him. When he is being closely
questioned by me, interrogated, and crossexamined, it is impossible and inconceivable

prvavat* yvat tadyath tvam

samanughiyamno samanubhsiyamno

that he would not incur one or another of

etarhi arabha. ...

ahnameta anavakso ya so tia

three consequences: he would either answer

10. atha bhagavn

hnna natara hna nigaccheyya,

evasively and divert the discussion to an

sumgadhy pukarays tre

aena v aa paicarissati, bahiddh

pariadi samyaksihanda

katha apanmessati, kopaca dosaca

naditv utthysant prakrnta.

appaccayaca ptukarissati, tuhbhto

11. atha arabhasya

makubhto pattakkhandho adhomukho

parivrjakasya svak

pajjhyanto appaibhno nisdissati,

sabrahmacria arabha

seyyathpi sarabho paribbjakoti. Atha kho

Then the Blessed One, having roared his

parivrjakam idam avocan*.

bhagav sippiniktre paribbjakrme

lions roar three times in the wanderers park

tadyath arabha. abha

tikkhattu shanda naditv vehsa

on the bank of the Sappinik river, rose up

chinnavia nyy

pakkmi.

irrelevant subject, or display anger, hatred,

and bitterness, or would sit silenced,
disconcerted, hunched over, downcast,
glum, and speechless, just like the wanderer
Sarabha.

into the air and departed.

goly mahnda
naditavya manyeta, evam eva
tvam anyatra ramad gautamt
pariadi sihanda naditavya

manyase. tadyath arabha

bhaalik purutaka
raviymti bhaalikrutakam
eva ravati. ... na bhaalikvad
asi .. tvam anyatra ramad
gautamt pariadi sihanda
naditavya manyase. tadyath
arabha glo
bherakravitaka v.

raviymti glaravitaka

Atha kho te paribbjak acirapakkantassa

bhagavato sarabha paribbjaka

Then, soon after the Blessed One had left,

those wanderers gave the wanderer Sarabha
a thorough verbal lashing, saying: Just as

samantato vcyasannitodakena sajam-

an old jackal in a huge forest might think: I

bharimakasu: seyyathpi, vuso sarabha,

will roar a lions roar, and yet would only

brahrae jarasiglo shanda

howl and yelp like a jackal, so, friend

nadissmti siglakayeva nadati, bhe-

Sarabha, claiming in the absence of the

raakayeva nadati; evameva kho tva,

ascetic Gotama:

vuso sarabha, aatreva samaena

gotamena shanda nadissmti
siglakayeva nadasi bheraakayeva

I will roar a lions roar, you only howled and

yelped like a jackal. Just as, friend Sarabha,
a chick might think: I will sing like a cock,

nadasi. Seyyathpi, vuso sarabha,

and yet would only sing like a chick, so,

ambukasacar purisakaravita ravissmti

friend Sarabha, claiming in the absence of

ravati. evam eva tvam anyatra

ambukasacariravitayeva ravati;

ramad gautamt pariadi

evameva kho tva, vuso sarabha,

sihanda manyase.

aatreva samaena gotamena purisakara-

12. atha arabhasya

vita ravissmti, ambukasacariravita-

parivrjakasya svak

yeva ravasi. Seyyathpi, vuso sarabha,

sabrahmacria ...

usabho suya goslya gambhra

cotthysant prakrnt.

naditabba maati; evameva kho tva,

arabha iti stra //

vuso sarabha, aatreva samaena

the ascetic Gotama:

I will sing like a cock, you only sang like a
chick. Just as, friend Sarabha, a bull might
think to bellow deeply in an empty cow shed,
so, friend Sarabha, in the absence of the
ascetic Gotama you thought you could
bellow deeply.

gotamena gambhra naditabba

In this way those wanderers gave the

maasti. Atha kho te paribbjak

wanderer Sarabha a thorough verbal lashing.

sarabha paribbjaka samantato vcyasannitodakena sajambharimakasti.

Catuttha.