The Book of the Fours

Chapter X: Asuras

[101]

Thus have I heard:

On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, these four persons are found existing in the world.

What four?

The asura with a retinue of asuras,
the asura with a retinue of devas,
the deva with a retinue of asuras,
and the deva with a retinue of devas.

■

And how, monks, is a person an asura
with a retinue of asuras?

In this case, monks, a certain person is immoral,
of a wicked nature,
and his company is immoral,
of a wicked nature.

Thus a person is an asura
with a retinue of asuras

■

And how, monks, is a person an asura
with a retinue of devas?

In this case, monks, a person is immoral,
of a wicked nature,
but his company is virtuous,
of a lovely nature.

Thus a person is an asura
with a retinue of devas

■

And how, monks, is a person a deva
with a retinue of asuras?

In this case, monks, a person is virtuous,
of a lovely nature,
but his company is immoral,
of a wicked nature.

Thus a person is a person a deva
with a retinue of asuras

And how, monks, is a person a deva
with a retinue of devas?

In this case, monks, a person is virtuous,
of a lovely nature,
and his company is virtuous,
of a lovely nature.

Thus a person is a deva
with a retinue of devas.

So these are the four persons found existing in the world.*

¹ This sutta may be compared with Ch. VI, § 3. Comy. def. asura as 'bībhaccho, awful, vile.'