[193] On one occasion the Blessed One, wandering on tour among the Kosambīs with a large Saṅgha of bhikkhus, arrived at a brahmin village of the Kosalans named Icchānaṅgala. There the Blessed One dwelt at Icchānaṅgala, in the Icchānaṅgala woodland grove.
The brahmin householders of Icchānaṅgala heard: "It is said that the ascetic Gotama, the son of the Sakyans, gone forth from the Sakyan clan, has arrived at Icchānaṅgala and is dwelling at Icchānaṅgala in the Icchānaṅgala woodland grove. Now concerning that Master Gotama such a fair report of fame has spread: 'Thus indeed is that Blessed One: an arahant, fully self-enlightened …' It is good indeed to see arahants such as this." Then, when that night had passed, the brahmin householders of Icchānaṅgala, taking abundant food both hard and soft, approached the Icchānaṅgala woodland grove; having approached, they stood at the outer gatehouse, making a loud noise, a great clamor.
Now on that occasion the Venerable Nāgita was the Blessed One's attendant. Then the Blessed One addressed the Venerable Nāgita: "Who are these, Nāgita, making a loud noise, a great clamor? One would think they were fishermen making off with fish."
"These, venerable sir, are the brahmin householders of Icchānaṅgala, who have brought abundant hard and soft food and stand at the outer gatehouse, intending it for the Blessed One and the Saṅgha of bhikkhus."
"Nāgita, do not consort with fame, and may fame not come to me. Nāgita, whoever could not obtain at will, without trouble and without difficulty, this bliss of renunciation (nekkhamma), this bliss of seclusion, this bliss of peace, this bliss of enlightenment — that bliss of renunciation … which I obtain at will, without trouble and without difficulty — he might accept that filthy pleasure, that pleasure of drowsiness, that pleasure of gain, honor, and praise."
"May the Blessed One now consent, venerable sir; may the Sublime One consent! Now, venerable sir, is the time for the Blessed One's consenting. Wherever the Blessed One now goes, venerable sir, the brahmin householders, the townsfolk, and the country folk will incline in that same direction. Just as, venerable sir, when the sky rains down in heavy drops, the waters flow along the slope, even so, venerable sir, wherever the Blessed One now goes, the brahmin householders, the townsfolk, and the country folk will incline in that same direction. Why is that? Because such, venerable sir, is the Blessed One's virtue and wisdom."
"Nāgita, do not consort with fame, and may fame not come to me. Nāgita, whoever could not obtain at will this bliss of renunciation … — that bliss of renunciation … of enlightenment which I obtain at will … — he might accept that filthy pleasure, that pleasure of drowsiness, that pleasure of gain, honor, and praise. Even some deities, Nāgita, cannot obtain at will, without trouble and without difficulty, this bliss of renunciation … — that bliss of renunciation … which I obtain at will, without trouble and without difficulty. When you, Nāgita, having gathered and come together, dwell devoted to living in company, it occurs to me: 'Surely these venerable ones cannot obtain at will, without trouble and without difficulty, this bliss of renunciation … — that bliss of renunciation … which I obtain at will, without trouble and without difficulty; for so it is that these venerable ones, having gathered and come together, dwell devoted to living in company.'
"Here, Nāgita, I see bhikkhus laughing and playing together, poking one another with their fingers. Then, Nāgita, it occurs to me: 'Surely these venerable ones cannot obtain at will this bliss of renunciation … — that bliss of renunciation … which I obtain at will …; for so it is that these venerable ones laugh and play together, poking one another with their fingers.'
"Furthermore, Nāgita, here I see bhikkhus who, having eaten as much as they want, filling their bellies, dwell devoted to the pleasure of lying down, the pleasure of lolling, the pleasure of drowsing. Then, Nāgita, it occurs to me: 'Surely these venerable ones cannot obtain at will this bliss of renunciation … — that bliss of renunciation … which I obtain at will …; for so it is that these venerable ones, having eaten as much as they want, filling their bellies, dwell devoted to the pleasure of lying down, the pleasure of lolling, the pleasure of drowsing.'
"Here, Nāgita, I see a bhikkhu seated concentrated in a dwelling at the edge of a village. Then, Nāgita, it occurs to me: 'Now a monastery attendant or a novice (samaṇuddesa) will wait upon this venerable one and will make him fall away from that concentration (samādhi).' Therefore, Nāgita, I am not pleased with that bhikkhu's dwelling at the edge of a village.
"But here, Nāgita, I see a bhikkhu seated nodding drowsily in the forest. Then, Nāgita, it occurs to me: 'Now this venerable one, having dispelled this fatigue of sleep, will attend just to the perception of forest — just so much.' Therefore, Nāgita, I am pleased with that bhikkhu's dwelling in the forest.
"But here, Nāgita, I see a forest-dwelling bhikkhu seated unconcentrated in the forest. Then, Nāgita, it occurs to me: 'Now this venerable one will concentrate his unconcentrated mind (citta), or will guard his concentrated mind.' Therefore, Nāgita, I am pleased with that bhikkhu's dwelling in the forest.
"But here, Nāgita, I see a forest-dwelling bhikkhu seated concentrated in the forest. Then, Nāgita, it occurs to me: 'Now this venerable one will liberate his unliberated mind, or will guard his liberated mind.' Therefore, Nāgita, I am pleased with that bhikkhu's dwelling in the forest.
"But here, Nāgita, I see a bhikkhu dwelling at the edge of a village, a gainer of robes, almsfood, lodging, and medicinal requisites for the sick. Relishing that gain, honor, and praise, he neglects seclusion, neglects remote lodgings in forests and woodlands; having descended into village, town, and royal capital, he takes up his residence. Therefore, Nāgita, I am not pleased with that bhikkhu's dwelling at the edge of a village.
"But here, Nāgita, I see a forest-dwelling bhikkhu, a gainer of robes, almsfood, lodging, and medicinal requisites for the sick. Having repelled that gain, honor, and praise, he does not neglect seclusion, does not neglect remote lodgings in forests and woodlands. Therefore, Nāgita, I am pleased with that bhikkhu's dwelling in the forest.
"When, Nāgita, I am traveling along a highway and see no one at all, whether in front or behind, at such a time I am at ease — even if only with respect to defecating and urinating."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.