At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.
Now, at that time the nun Sukkā was teaching Dhamma, surrounded by a large assembly.Tena kho pana samayena sukkā bhikkhunī mahatiyā parisāya parivutā dhammaṁ deseti.Then a native spirit was so devoted to Sukkā that he went from street to street and from square to square, and on that occasion recited these verses:Atha kho sukkāya bhikkhuniyā abhippasanno yakkho rājagahe rathikāya rathikaṁ siṅghāṭakena siṅghāṭakaṁ upasaṅkamitvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imā gāthāyo abhāsi:
“What’s up with these people in Rājagaha?“Kiṁ me katā rājagahe manussā,They sleep like they’ve been drinking mead!Madhupītāva seyare;They don’t attend on SukkāYe sukkaṁ na payirupāsanti,as she’s teaching the state free of death.Desentiṁ amataṁ padaṁ.
But the wise—Tañca pana appaṭivānīyaṁ,it’s as if they drink it up,Asecanakamojavaṁ;so irresistible, delectable, and nutritious,Pivanti maññe sappaññā,like travelers enjoying a cool cloud.”Valāhakamiva panthagū”ti.
Similar passages elsewhere
Found by meaning, not by citation: the passages in other texts whose wording sits closest to a passage here.
SN 10.10 With the Nun Sukkā (2nd)0.77near 0.1Linked Discourses 10.10 1. With Indaka With the Nun Sukkā (2nd) At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now at that time a certain lay follower gave food to th…
Thig 3.6 Sukkā0.65near 0.1Verses of the Senior Nuns 3.6 The Book of the Threes Sukkā “What’s up with these people in Rājagaha? They sprawl like they’ve been drinking mead! They don’t attend on Sukkā as she teaches the Buddha’s instructions. But t…
SN 10.11 With the Nun Cīrā0.56near 0.1Linked Discourses 10.11 1. With Indaka With the Nun Cīrā So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now at that time a certain lay follower gave…
SN 10.2 Sakka In Name Only0.54near 0.1Linked Discourses 10.2 1. With Indaka Sakka In Name Only At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain. Then a spirit who was Sakka in name only went up to the Buddha, and addressed him…
SN 10.8 With Sudatta0.52near 0.1Linked Discourses 10.8 1. With Indaka With Sudatta At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Cool Grove. Now at that time the householder Anāthapiṇḍika had arrived at Rājagaha on some business. He heard a r…