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← Saṃyutta Nikāya

The Mistress of the House

SN 9.8 · Kulagharaṇīsutta

A gentle stream flowing around a smooth dark boulder.

At one time one of the monks was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove.

Now at that time that monk had become too closely involved in the affairs of a certain family. The deity haunting that forest had sympathy for that monk, wanting what’s best for him. So, wanting to stir him up, they manifested in the appearance of the mistress of that family, approached the monk, and addressed him in verse:

“At river banks and guest houses, hotels and highways, people gather to gossip about what’s going on between you and me.”

“There are many sounds echoing that a fervent ascetic must endure. They ought not be dismayed by that, for that’s not what defiles you.

If you’re startled by every little sound, like a wind-deer in the wood, they’ll call you ‘flighty minded’; and your practice won’t succeed.”

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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.