[871] Bhikkhus, formerly in Bārāṇasī the wife of a certain outcaste corpse-handler (chavaka) became pregnant. Then, bhikkhus, that outcaste woman said to the outcaste: "Noble sir (ayyaputta), I am pregnant; I wish to eat a mango."
"There is no mango; it is not the season for mangoes."
"If I do not get one, I shall die."
Now at that time the king had a mango tree in constant fruit. Then, bhikkhus, that outcaste approached that mango tree; having approached, he climbed up that mango tree and remained hidden. Then, bhikkhus, the king, together with his brahmin chaplain (purohita), approached that mango tree; having approached, seated upon a high seat, he learned a mantra. Then, bhikkhus, it occurred to that outcaste: "How unrighteous is this king, in that, seated on a high seat, he will learn a mantra! And this brahmin too is unrighteous, in that, seated on a low seat, he will recite a mantra to one seated on a high seat. And I too am unrighteous, in that for a woman's sake I steal the king's mango — all this is pervaded [by unrighteousness]!" And he dropped down right there:
Both know not the good, both see not the Dhamma —
both he who recites the mantra and he who studies it contrary to Dhamma.
Rice of fine sāli grain have I eaten, with a sauce of pure meat;
therefore I do not practise the Dhamma — the Dhamma praised by the noble ones.
Shame on that gaining of wealth and that gaining of fame, brahmin,
a livelihood [gained] by downfall or by unrighteous conduct.
Wander forth, great brahmin; other living beings also cook [their food].
Let not the unrighteousness you have practised shatter you, as a stone shatters a pot.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.