Sivasutta With Shiva

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard. ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Atha kho sivo devaputto abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇo kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Then, late at night, the glorious god Shiva, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho sivo devaputto bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi: and recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

“Sabbhireva samāsetha, “Associate only with the virtuous! sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Try to get close to the virtuous! Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, Understanding the true teaching of the good, seyyo hoti na pāpiyo. things get better, not worse.

Sabbhireva samāsetha, Associate only with the virtuous! sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Try to get close to the virtuous! Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, Understanding the true teaching of the good, paññā labbhati nāññato. wisdom is gained—but not from anyone else.

Sabbhireva samāsetha, Associate only with the virtuous! sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Try to get close to the virtuous! Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, Understanding the true teaching of the good, sokamajjhe na socati. you grieve not among the grieving.

Sabbhireva samāsetha, Associate only with the virtuous! sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Try to get close to the virtuous! Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, Understanding the true teaching of the good, ñātimajjhe virocati. you shine among your relatives.

Sabbhireva samāsetha, Associate only with the virtuous! sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Try to get close to the virtuous! Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, Understanding the true teaching of the good, sattā gacchanti suggatiṁ. sentient beings go to a good place.

Sabbhireva samāsetha, Associate only with the virtuous! sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Try to get close to the virtuous! Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, Understanding the true teaching of the good, sattā tiṭṭhanti sātatan”ti. sentient beings live happily.”

Atha kho bhagavā sivaṁ devaputtaṁ gāthāya paccabhāsi: Then the Buddha replied to Shiva in verse:

“Sabbhireva samāsetha, “Associate only with the virtuous! sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Try to get close to the virtuous! Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, Understanding the true teaching of the good, sabbadukkhā pamuccatī”ti. you’re released from all suffering.”