ud.2.9 Udana

The Discourse about Visākhā

Thus I heard: At one time the Gracious One was dwelling near Sāvatthī, at the Eastern Monastery in Migāra’s mother’s mansion. Then at that time Migāra’s mother Visākhā was bound up in some matter or other with the Kosalan King Pasenadi, but the Kosalan King Pasenadi would not conclude it according to her desire.

Then Migāra’s mother Visākhā in the middle of the day went to the Gracious One, and after going and worshipping the Gracious One, she sat down on one side. While sat on one side the Gracious One said this to Migāra’s mother Visākhā: “Well now, Visākhā, where have you come from in the middle of the day?”

“Here, reverend Sir, I am bound up in some affair or other with the Kosalan King Pasenadi, but the Kosalan King Pasenadi does not conclude it according to my desire.”

Then the Gracious One, having understood the significance of it, on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance:

“All that is in another’s power is painful, all that is mastered is pleasing,
What is shared is troubling, for yokes are difficult to transcend.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Ānandajoti

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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With Visākhā

So I have heard.
At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in the Eastern Monastery, the stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother.
Now at that time Visākhā was caught up in some business with King Pasenadi.
But the king’s settlement did not meet her expectations.
Then, in the middle of the day, she went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down.
The Buddha said to her:
“So, Visākhā, where are you coming from in the middle of the day?”
“Sir, I am caught up in some business with King Pasenadi.
But the king’s settlement did not meet my expectations.”
Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:
“All under another’s control is suffering,
all under one’s own authority is pleasing;
what’s shared is stressful for both parties,
for bonds are hard to escape.”