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← Saṃyutta Nikāya

With Pajjunna’s Daughter (1st)

SN 1.39 · Paṭhamapajjunnadhītusutta

Soft light passing through leaves in a quiet woodland.

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Vesālī, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof.

Then, late at night, the glorious Kokanadā, Pajjunna’s daughter, lighting up the entire Great Wood, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

“Staying in the woods of Vesālī is the Buddha, best of creation. Kokanadā am I who worships him, Kokanadā, Pajjuna’s daughter.

Previously I had only heard the teaching realized by the Clear-eyed One. But now I know it as a witness while the sage, the Holy One teaches.

There are simpletons who go about denouncing the teaching of the noble ones. They fall into the terrible Hell of Screams where they suffer long.

There are those who have found acceptance and peace in the teaching of the noble ones. After giving up this human body, they swell the heavenly host.”

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Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.