Dhammapada Verse 423
Devahitabrahmana Vatthu
Pubbenivasam yo vedi
saggapayanca passati
atho jatikkhayam patto
abhinnavosito muni
sabbavositavosanam
tamaham brumi brahmanam.
Verse 423: Him I call a brahmana, who knows
past existences, who sees the celestial as well as the lower worlds, who has
reached the end of rebirths, who, with Magga Insight, has become an
arahat and has accomplished all that is to be accomplished for the eradication
of moral defilements.
The Story of Devahita the Brahmin
While residing at the Jetavana
monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (423) of this book, with reference to
Devahita, a brahmin.
On one occasion, the Buddha
suffered from a gastric ailment and he sent Thera Upavana to get some hot water
from Devahita the brahmin. The brahmin was very pleased to have this rare
opportunity to offer something to the Buddha. So, in addition to hot water he
also gave the thera some molasses for the Buddha. At the monastery Thera Upavana
gave a warm bath to the Buddha; after the bath he offered the Buddha a mixture
of molasses and hot water. After drinking the mixture there was instant relief.
The brahmin then came and asked the Buddha, "Venerable Sir! An offering
made to whom gives one the greatest benefit?" To him the Buddha said, "Brahmin!
An offering made to one who has given up all evil is the most beneficial."
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as
follows:
Verse 423: Him I call
a brahmana, who knows past existences, who sees the celestial as well
as the lower worlds, who has reached the end of rebirths, who, with
Magga Insight, has become an arahat and has accomplished all that
is to be accomplished for the eradication of moral defilements. |
At the end of the discourse the
brahmana became established in the faith in the Three Gems (the Buddha, the
Dhamma and the Samgha) and became a lay-disciple of the Buddha.
End of Chapter Twenty-six: The Brahmana
— End of The Dhammapada: Verses
and Stories —