SN 2.12

Veṇḍu sutta: With Vishnu

Veṇḍusutta

Anāthapiṇḍikavagga

The deity Veṇhu celebrates the joy of those who follow the Buddha’s teaching. The Buddha affirms that such will escape death. Veṇhu is the Pali spelling of Sanskrit Viṣṇu, and this marks a rare appearance of a god of this name in the early texts.

Çeviriler

Standing to one side, the godling Vishnu spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

Veṇhu (variant veṇḍu) is the Pali spelling of Sanskrit viṣṇu, who in Pali appears only here and at DN 20:14.1. He appears somewhat often in the Rig Veda, where he is an ally of Indra in his battle with the constrictor serpent (4.18.11, 6.20.2, 8.100.12). His name is explained as meaning “widespread” due to his role as the wide-stepping solar god who made three great strides over the earth, the midspace, and the heavens, opening up the broad expanse of the world. He also played a role in fertility (Rig Veda 7.36.9, 10.84.1). By the time of the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa he was identified with the sacrifice (eg. 1.1.2.13), and was said to be a dwarf, perhaps as the shrunken sun of dusk (1.2.5.5). In one passage he is mystically identified with Indra as Maghavan (Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa 14.1.1.13). Just as the previous chapter featured Indra under several names, the deities in the next few Suttas may also be names of Vishnu, although the identifications are weak.

“Happy are the men
who pay homage to the Holy One!
They apply themselves to Gotama’s instructions,
diligently training.”

“Those who practice absorption <j>in accord with the training”, said the Buddha to Vishnu,
“in the way of teaching I’ve proclaimed,
diligent while there is still time;
they won’t fall under the sway of Death.”

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Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

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