Verse 401

Dhammapada Verse 401

The Story of Theri Uppalavanna

Once, some bhikkhus were talking about the arahat Theri Uppalavanna being molested by the young Nanda who was then swallowed up by the earth. In this connection, they asked the Buddha whether arahats do not enjoy sensual pleasures as they have the same physical make-up like any other people. To them the Buddha replied, "Bhikkhus! Arahats do not enjoy sensual pleasures; they do not indulge in sensual pleasures, for they do not cling to objects of sense and to sensual pleasures, just as water does not cling to the lotus leaf or the mustard seed to the tip of an awl."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Vari pokkharapatteva
araggeriva sasapo
yo na limpati kamesu
tamaham brumi brahmanam.

Verse 401: Him I call a brahmana, who does not cling to sensual pleasures, just as water does not cling to a lotus leaf, or the mustard seed to the tip of an awl.