Dhammapada Verse 94
Mahakaccayanatthera Vatthu
Yassindriyani samathangatani
assa yatha sarathina sudanta
pahinamanassa anasavassa
devapi tassa pihayanti tadino1.
Verse 94: The arahat whose sense-faculties are calm like horses well-tamed by
the charioteer, who is free from pride and moral intoxicants - such an arahat is
held dear even by the devas.
1. tadino: one who is calm and tranquil or unperturbed by the ups and
downs of life (Lokadhamma).
The Story of Thera Mahakaccayana
While residing at the Pubbarama monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (94) of
this book, with reference to Thera Mahakaccayana.
On a full moon day, which was also the end of the vassa, Sakka with a large
company of devas came to pay homage to the Buddha, who was then in residence at
Pubbarama, the monastery built by Visakha. At that time, the Buddha was being
attended upon by the Chief Disciples and all the senior bhikkhus. Thera
Mahakaccayana, who spent the vassa in Avanti, had not yet arrived, and a seat
was kept vacant for him. Sakka paid homage to the Buddha with flowers, incense
and perfumes. On seeing a vacant seat he declared how he wished that Thera
Mahakaccayana would come so that he could pay obeisance to him also. At that
instant Mahakaccayana arrived; Sakka was very pleased and eagerly paid obeisance
to him with flowers, incense and perfumes.
The bhikkhus were awed by Sakka paying obeisance to Mahakaccayana, but some
bhikkhus thought that Sakka was being partial to Mahakaccayana. To them, the
Buddha said, "One who is restrained in his senses is loved by both men
and devas."
The Buddha then spoke in verse as follows:
Verse 94: The arahat whose sense-faculties are calm
like horses well-tamed by the charioteer, who is free from pride and
moral intoxicants - such an arahat is held dear even by the devas.
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