Aṅguttara-Nikāya
Pañcaka-Nipāta
IV. Sumanā Vagga

The Book of the Fives

IV: Sumanā

Sutta 39

Putta Suttaṃ

They Desire a Son

[43] [35]

Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

'Yes, lord,' they replied; and the Exalted One said:

'Seeing¹ five things, monks,
parents desire a son born in the family.

What five?

He that is holpen
he will help us;
for us he will do what must be done;
long will he keep up traditions;
worthily possess his heritage;
and make offerings to the petas when we are dead.

Monks, seeing these five things,
parents desire a son born in the family.

Wise folk who see these five desire a son:
Whoso is holpen, he will help; for us
He'll work, long the traditions keep,² fulfil
His heritage and peta offerings make —
Seeing these things the wise desire a son.
And the good and prudent, grateful and beholden,³
[36] Cherish their parents, mindful⁴ of the past;
They work for them as though it were a favour.
Who hearkens to instruction, holpen, helps,⁵
A son like that is praiseworthy indeed.'

¹ This sutta is quoted at Pts. of Contr. (the gāthā trsl. there is somewhat expanded). The five also recur at D. iii, 189 (trsl. omits fifth item).

² Tiṭṭhe. S.e. ṭhassati.

³ Kataññū katavedino; see G.8. i, 78.

⁴ Anussaraṃ. Comy. explains: ... anussarantā.