Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati gijjhakūṭe pabbate.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain.

Atha kho sakko devānamindo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.

And then Sakka, lord of gods, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side,

Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho sakko devānamindo bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

and addressed him in verse:

“Yajamānānaṁ manussānaṁ,

“For humans, those merit-seeking creatures,

puññapekkhāna pāṇinaṁ;

who sponsor sacrifices,

Karotaṁ opadhikaṁ puññaṁ,

making worldly merit,

kattha dinnaṁ mahapphalan”ti.

where is a gift very fruitful?”

“Cattāro ca paṭipannā,

“Four practicing the path,

cattāro ca phale ṭhitā;

and four established in the fruit.

Esa saṅgho ujubhūto,

This is the upright Saṅgha,

paññāsīlasamāhito.

with wisdom, ethics, and immersion.

Yajamānānaṁ manussānaṁ,

For humans, those merit-seeking creatures,

Puññapekkhāna pāṇinaṁ;

who sponsor sacrifices,

Karotaṁ opadhikaṁ puññaṁ,

making worldly merit,

Saṅghe dinnaṁ mahapphalan”ti.

what is given to the Saṅgha is very fruitful.”