Reading guide
A shared refrain, six different endings
Every deity's verse opens identically: associate with the virtuous, draw close to them, understand their true teaching. What changes each time is only the fourth line, naming a different specific benefit — things improving, wisdom gained independently, freedom from grief, standing out among relatives, a good rebirth, and a happy life.
A question the Buddha declines to answer competitively
When asked directly who spoke best, the Buddha's reply refuses the framing of the question: ‘you've all spoken well in your own way.’ Rather than ranking six true statements against one another, he treats them as compatible facets of a single underlying claim.
A seventh line, not a correction
The Buddha's own contribution keeps the shared refrain and adds a seventh ending — ‘you're released from all suffering’ — a claim more comprehensive than, but not contradicting, any of the six the deities already offered. It reads as completing the list rather than correcting it.
A new host, named for this whole vagga
The Satullapakāyikā deities introduced here return across several more discourses in this vagga, which takes its own name from this recurring group — a fourth pattern for how a vagga acquires its name, following an opening image (Sattivagga), an opening setting (Nandanavagga), and a closing image (Naḷavagga).
Key terms
The text
Several deities arrive together
§1So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. Then, late at night, several glorious deities of the host of a hundred felicities, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side. Standing to one side, one deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:
Six completions of one refrain
§2“Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, things get better, not worse.”
§3Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, wisdom is gained—but not from anyone else.”
§4Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, you grieve not among the grieving.”
§5Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, you shine among your relatives.”
§6Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, sentient beings go to a good place.”
§7Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, sentient beings live happily.”
A question, and a seventh completion
§8Then another deity said to the Buddha, “Sir, who has spoken well?” “You’ve all spoken well in your own way. However, listen to me also: Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, you’re released from all suffering.” That is what the Buddha said. Then those deities, knowing that the teacher approved, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right, before vanishing right there.
Self-check quiz
Ten questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.