[477] Bhikkhus, once in the past Sakka, ruler of the devas, while guiding the devas of Tāvatiṃsa, on that occasion spoke this verse:
"On the fourteenth, the fifteenth,
and the eighth of the fortnight,
and during the special fortnight (pāṭihāriyapakkha),
one who would be a person such as I am
should observe the uposatha
complete in its eight factors."
But that verse, bhikkhus, was badly sung by Sakka, ruler of the devas, not well sung; badly spoken, not well spoken. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, Sakka, ruler of the devas, is not free from lust (rāga), not free from hatred, not free from delusion. But, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu who is an arahant, whose taints (āsava) are destroyed, who has lived the holy life, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, reached his own true goal, utterly destroyed the fetters of existence, and is liberated through right final knowledge — for that bhikkhu this saying is fitting:
"On the fourteenth, the fifteenth,
and the eighth of the fortnight,
and during the special fortnight,
one who would be a person such as I am
should observe the uposatha
complete in its eight factors."
For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu is free from lust, free from hatred, free from delusion.
Bhikkhus, once in the past Sakka, ruler of the devas, while guiding the devas of Tāvatiṃsa, on that occasion spoke this verse:
"On the fourteenth, the fifteenth,
and the eighth of the fortnight,
and during the special fortnight,
one who would be a person such as I am
should observe the uposatha
complete in its eight factors."
But that verse, bhikkhus, was badly sung by Sakka, ruler of the devas, not well sung; badly spoken, not well spoken. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, Sakka, ruler of the devas, is not freed from birth, aging, death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair; he is not freed from suffering (dukkha), I say. But, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu who is an arahant, whose taints are destroyed, who has lived the holy life, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, reached his own true goal, utterly destroyed the fetters of existence, and is liberated through right final knowledge — for that bhikkhu this saying is fitting:
"On the fourteenth, the fifteenth,
and the eighth of the fortnight,
and during the special fortnight,
one who would be a person such as I am
should observe the uposatha
complete in its eight factors."
For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu is freed from birth, aging, death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair; he is freed from suffering, I say.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.