[70] Bhikkhus, at a time when kings are unrighteous, at that time the royal officials also become unrighteous. When the royal officials are unrighteous, bhikkhus, at that time the brahmins and householders also become unrighteous. When the brahmins and householders are unrighteous, at that time the people of the towns and countryside also become unrighteous. When the people of the towns and countryside are unrighteous, the moon and sun proceed off course. When the moon and sun proceed off course, the constellations and the stars proceed off course. When the constellations and the stars proceed off course, night and day proceed off course. When night and day proceed off course, the months and fortnights proceed off course. When the months and fortnights proceed off course, the seasons and years proceed off course. When the seasons and years proceed off course, the winds blow unevenly. When the winds blow unevenly, they veer off their proper pathways. When they veer off their proper pathways, the deities become agitated. When the deities are agitated, the sky-god does not bestow proper streams of rain. When the sky-god does not bestow proper streams of rain, the crops ripen unevenly. Bhikkhus, when human beings eat crops that have ripened unevenly, they become short-lived, of bad complexion, weak, and much afflicted with illness.
Bhikkhus, at a time when kings are righteous, at that time the royal officials also become righteous. When the royal officials are righteous, at that time the brahmins and householders also become righteous. When the brahmins and householders are righteous, at that time the people of the towns and countryside also become righteous. When the people of the towns and countryside are righteous, the moon and sun proceed on course. When the moon and sun proceed on course, the constellations and the stars proceed on course. When the constellations and the stars proceed on course, night and day proceed on course. When night and day proceed on course, the months and fortnights proceed on course. When the months and fortnights proceed on course, the seasons and years proceed on course. When the seasons and years proceed on course, the winds blow evenly. When the winds blow evenly, they keep to their proper pathways. When they keep to their proper pathways, the deities do not become agitated. When the deities are not agitated, the sky-god bestows proper streams of rain. When the sky-god bestows proper streams of rain, the crops ripen evenly. Bhikkhus, when human beings eat crops that have ripened evenly, they become long-lived, of good complexion, strong, and little afflicted with illness.
When cattle are crossing over, if the chief bull goes crookedly,
they all go crookedly, since their leader has gone crookedly.
Just so among human beings: if the one deemed foremost
conducts himself unrighteously, how much more so the rest of the people!
The whole realm dwells in suffering if the king is unrighteous.
When cattle are crossing over, if the chief bull goes straight,
they all go straight, since their leader has gone straight.
Just so among human beings: if the one deemed foremost
conducts himself righteously, how much more so the rest of the people!
The whole realm dwells in happiness if the king is righteous.
The Pattakamma Vagga, the second.
Its summary (uddāna):
Fitting Deeds, the Provider of Food, With Brahmā, the Hells, with Form as the fifth;
With Lust, the Snake, Devadatta, Striving, and with the Righteous.
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The Apaṇṇaka Vagga, the third
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.